South African queer rapper Angie Oeh loses battle with cancer

The South African music industry is in shock at the loss of Afrikaans queer rapper Angie oeh who passed away at the age of 24, surrounded by her partner and family.

In an announcement on her Facebook page, Angie, known offstage as Angelique Greeff, passed away on Saturday afternoon at Pretoria’s Life Wilgers Hospital.

Just a week prior, she had been admitted to the hospital and was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer on Monday, August 14.

A BackaBuddy campaign, initiated to aid with her medical expenses, witnessed an overwhelming response, raising over R270,000 in just a few days. This was not Angie’s first encounter with cancer. In 2022, she underwent the removal of a cancerous tumour from her back.

Despite an emergency operation on Tuesday and the commencement of chemotherapy on Thursday, Angie’s condition deteriorated. Her management team revealed, “Every possible effort was exerted to stabilise her, unfortunately, her condition didn’t improve, and her organs began to fail.”

Angie passed away in the company of her girlfriend, Jolandri Van Der Walt, her mother Peach van Pletzen, a close friend, and other family members.

Her management extended appreciation to the hospital’s nursing staff and everyone who contributed to the fundraising campaign. They noted that the substantial support had significantly boosted Angie’s morale during her illness.

Angie embarked on her musical journey in 2019, independently writing, producing, and releasing music. However, it wasn’t until December 2021 that she truly caught the public’s eye with her first Afrikaans track, Dis Jou Wyfie (She’s Your Woman).

The song’s fresh and distinctive sound propelled it to viral fame, establishing her as the pioneer of Afrikaans mumble rap. Angie’s musical exploration expanded with subsequent single releases, including Sex in Afrikaans, as well as collaborations with notable artists like Jack Parow.

Beyond entertainment, Angie’s music aimed at addressing significant societal issues. Her management underscored, “She didn’t view her music as just entertainment; she used it as a platform to shed light on crucial social concerns.”

As an openly gay woman, Angie was dedicated to fearlessly promoting women’s rights and exposing societal prejudices against women, class, and race.

Angie took on singer Steve Hofmeyr last year, condemning his anti-LGBTIQ+ sentiments on social media. Hofmeyr was eventually forced to issue an apology for his hate speech and make a R100,000 contribution to an LGBTIQ+ rights organisation.

The performer was working on new music at the time of her hospitalisation. Her death cuts short the life of a talented queer artist who had much more left to contribute to the world.

Angie oeh’s legacy will resonate as a powerful voice advocating for equality and inclusivity. Her music and bravery in standing up against hate and prejudice through her music will continue to inspire and uplift.