Abstract
This study examines selected poetic aspects in the music of Sphamandla Duncan Mbambo, a prominent South African hip-hop artist whose lyricism is celebrated for its depth and cultural resonance. The research seeks to uncover how his use of specific literary devices contributes to the aesthetic, thematic, and emotive power of his work. The thesis is organized into six chapters. Chapter one introduces the study by outlining Mbambo’s artistic background, the research problem, aims and objectives, and significance of the study. Chapter two establishes the theoretical framework, drawing on stylistics and intermediality theories to contextualise the analysis of poetic devices in hip-hop lyrics. Chapter three focuses on the role and function of repetition in Mbambo’s music, exploring its mnemonic and rhetorical impact. Thereafter, chapter four examines metaphor and personification, highlighting how these devices animate abstract concepts and convey layered meanings. Chapter five investigates how repetition is used to connect things in terms of words, ideas or phrases. The purpose is to reveal how Mbambo uses different forms of artistic repetition to artistically share his intended message. The final chapter synthesises the findings, reflecting on the broader implications for African hip-hop poetics, and suggest avenues for future research. Overall, the study demonstrates that Mbambo’s music is not only a vehicle for entertainment but also a rich site of literary artistry that contributes to the evolving canon of African poetic expression in contemporary music.