Run Jozi (Godly)

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"Run Jozi (Godly)"
Single by AKA featuring K.O
from the album Levels
Released24 April 2014 (2014-04-24)
Genre
Length4:41
LabelSME Africa (on behalf of Vth Season)
Songwriters
ProducerTweezy
AKA singles chronology
"Congratulate"
(2014) 		"Run Jozi (Godly)"
(2014) 		"All Eyes On Me"
(2014)
K.O singles chronology
"Caracara"
(2014) 		"Run Jozi (Godly)"
(2014) 		"Sun of a Gun"
(2014)
Music video
"Run Jozi (Godly) [Official video]" on YouTube
Behind the Scene
"Run Jozi - BTS" on YouTube
Official audio
"Run Jozi (Godly) [Official audio]" on YouTube

"Run Jozi (Godly)" is a lead single by South African rapper and songwriter AKA from his second studio album Levels (2014). It features guest appearance from K.O, uncredited vocals from Yanga,[1] and production from Tweezy.[2] It was released on 24 June 2014 through Vth Season with exclusive license from SME Africa.[3][4]

Composition and lyrics

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The track features rap verses by AKA and K.O. over production by beatmaker Tweezy, characterized by loud horn samples and trap-style percussion.[5] The arrangement is driven by brassy hooks and heavy drums typical of 2010s hip-hop. Fellow rapper Yanga Chief performs the uncredited hook (chorus) on the track.[6] Lyrically, “Run Jozi” is a boastful anthem: AKA and K.O. exchange punchy lines about their success and status, centering Johannesburg (“Jozi”) in their narrative. Critics have noted that the song’s flow and production draw on contemporary rap trends. For example, the song opens with a verse delivery reminiscent of the Migos’ “Versace” flow, and even echoes Drake’s Started From the Bottom in one line (consistent with AKA’s theme of rising from humble origins).[7] Overall, the composition blends polished lyricism with local flavor, as the rappers trade “braggadocio bars” over Tweezy’s booming horn loops.[5]

Music video

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The official music video for “Run Jozi (Godly)” was directed by Yanga Ntshakaza and premiered in early September 2014.[5] Shot entirely in black-and-white, the video highlights iconic Johannesburg locations: scenes include the Regina Mundi Catholic Church in Soweto, the Nelson Mandela Bridge, and the Bree Street taxi rank in downtown Jozi.[8] The visuals also include subtle Nike product placement – showing running shoes – as a nod to the song’s title (which references Johannesburg’s “We Run Jozi” Nike race). The performers (AKA, K.O. and Yanga) are shown rapping around the city, sometimes in front of cars or in the taxi rank, emphasizing the track’s gritty urban vibe[8]

Critical reception

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The song quickly became a hit on South African radio and music channels, and is often cited as one of the standout tracks of Levels. Fans have praised it as a classic of 2010s South African hip hop (with some even calling K.O’s verse one of the best in recent memory).[9] SA Hip Hop Magazine ranked “Run Jozi” among AKA and K.O.’s signature collaborations, calling it a “prime example” of their chemistry. The track’s hook by Yanga Chief, though uncredited, was noted as “infectious” and a key part of the song’s appeal.[10]

Charting

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The single was certified Gold in South Africa,[11] in 2015 it was nominated for Best Collaboration at the South African Music Awards,[12] and lost to "Caracara" by K.O.[13][14]

Certification

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Region Certification
South Africa (RISA)[11] Gold

Awards and nominations

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Year Award ceremony Prize Recipient/Nominated work Results Ref.
2014 South African Hip Hop Awards Best Collaboration "Run Jozi (Godly)" Won [15]
2015 South African Music Awards Best Collaboration Nominated [13][12]

References

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  1. ^ "Yanga Chief on 'not being credited' on AKA's 'Run Jozi'". TimesLIVE. Archived from the original on 17 October 2023. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  2. ^ "Tweezy is the mastermind behind some of your favourite rap hits". Red Bull. 12 March 2019. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  3. ^ simma (12 June 2014). "AKA reveals new album art cover". HYPE. Archived from the original on 30 August 2023. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
  4. ^ Mngadi, Mxolisi (8 October 2021). "Reunited: K.O and AKA get together to perform their classic rap hit 'Run Jozi'". Briefly. Archived from the original on 30 August 2023. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
  5. ^ a b c Mkhabela, Sabelo (2 September 2014). "Watch AKA & K.O.'s 'Run Jozi (Godly)' Video | OkayAfrica". www.okayafrica.com. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  6. ^ Seemela, Masego (6 November 2020). "Yanga Chief on 'not being credited' on AKA's 'Run Jozi'". TimesLive.
  7. ^ "AKA: Music Review". The Hip Hop African. 10 March 2015. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  8. ^ a b "Music video review – AKA: Running Jozi(in Nikes)". News24. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  9. ^ Mngadi, Mxolisi (8 October 2021). "Reunited: K.O and AKA Get Together to Perform Their Classic Rap Hit 'Run Jozi' - Briefly.co.za". briefly.co.za. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  10. ^ Banda, Clive (8 November 2024). "Top 5 AKA & K.O Features: A Legacy of Collaborative Excellence". SA Hip Hop Mag. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  11. ^ a b yomzansi (7 October 2015). "AKA's 'Run Jozi' gets Gold certified". YOMZANSI. Documenting THE CULTURE. Archived from the original on 30 August 2023. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
  12. ^ a b "South African Music Awards nominees announced". The Mail & Guardian. 12 March 2015. Archived from the original on 8 June 2021. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
  13. ^ a b "Sama XXI winners announced". Bizcommunity. Archived from the original on 30 August 2023. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
  14. ^ "SAMAs 2015 | All the Action". www.gq.co.za. Archived from the original on 30 August 2023. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
  15. ^ "2014 WINNERS". SA HIP HOP AWARDS. Archived from the original on 30 August 2023. Retrieved 30 August 2023.