With his soulful, sample-based style, MashBeatz has been one of South Africa's most prolific hip-hop producers since the mid-2010s. Born Nhlawulo Shipambuli Mashimbyi in Soweto in 1994, MashBeatz got into production during his teen years while growing up in Malamulele, Limpopo. His professional career was started with a placement on Smashis' 2015 single "Night N Day" but MashBeatz' artistry was truly activated by his creative union with lyricist A-Reece, when he served as the MC's main producer.
MashBeatz further embedded himself within the vanguard of South African hip-hop by cofounding rap collective The Wrecking Crew and producing for artists such Da L.E.S and Riky Rick. In 2017, he dropped his debut single, "NOT MY FRIENDS" followed by 2018's full-length Thanks For Nothing and 2019's Fire In the Water, all of which showcase his ability to mix soul samples with 808-laden trap beats which then lead to the Introduction of a broader collaborative MashBeatz with the If You Know You Know mixtape by MashBeatz & Thato Saul, released July 2021, debuting number one on South African Apple Music hip hop charts.