Draft:IMP THA DON

Thapelo Maimela (born January 28, 1997), better known as his stage name IMP THA DON (stylized in all caps) is an South African rapper, songwriter and record producer from Pretoria, Gauteng.. IMP is signed to his own label, foreverWEST. He gained recognition by being featured by A-Reece on a song called "A Real Nixxa Tale" in December 2017. In 2018 he released a single entitled “Fuck The System” that would soon get him immense street credibility Upon his single release, In 2021 ,THA DON put out his long awaited debut mixtape; which features quite a number of prominent artists. He went on to release Money Power Respect, Mixtape (2021).

Early life
Born in Mafikeng IMP's family moved to Pretoria West early in his life and that's where he has been living ever since. He started rapping at the age of 10, when he was in the 4th grade with fellow rappers A-Reece and Wordz in a group they named Daily Basis.

2013-2017: Beginnings
Thapelo made guest appearance on A-Reece's first mixtape Forever King (2013) of which he was featured on 2 songs. In August 2016 as he went on to release a joint collaborative mixtape with Ghoust Live From the 012 which featured Kri$h, Boompbap, & King. 2017 was a busy year for IMP, he released his first solo EP  January 28th on his birthday. He was part of the first The Wrecking Crew roaster, which Consisted of A-Reece, Jay Jody, TKay 10Staxx, Wordz and Krish Houdini. IMP THA DON co-founded the Hip-Hop 1000 Degreez alongside A-Reece, Wordz, Ghoust, BoomBap Thaproblem, TY96toolit, Shvde and few others. They self-released their debut mixtape,  Work  in March 17 and followed with a two mixtapes later that moth Angels, & One Way Out.

2017-2019 : The Wrecking Crew
December 2017 FLVME dropped Clouds : Special Edition which had a production credit from IMP. Later that year, A-Reece released a song "A Real Nixxa Tale" which featured 1000 Degreez, IMP was on the second verse in the song. The song did massively good that everyone in the song gained traction. Soon he was part of The Wrecking Crew that was formed a year prior. The Crew was filled with a very talented roaster, A-Reece, MashBeatz, FLVME, B3nchmarq, EX Global, Wordz, Ghoust, Ecco the beast, Enkei, Louw, Kri$h, Tyga Bankz, Mellow, ThandoNje, Krish Houdini and other 1000 Degreez members. In march of the same year he released a song "F**k the system" produced by A-Reece. “The Don Of The West” went on to produce records on Mashbeatz’s first Album (Thanks For Nothing), A-Reece’s “And Im Only 21” and had guest features on both projects respectfully. This resulted in him earning a buzz in the streets and him proving that ,he too can stand among the greats of hip hop. Beginning of the Year Maimela had Feature credits on Wordz, Ecco the beast  & EX Global project that coupled with production credits.

2019-2021 : RUBBERBANDGANG
In March of the same year The Crew disbanded when FLVME, Ecco the beast and Mellow Don Picasso decided to leave. The remaining members decided to rebrand to RUBBERBANDGANG. IMP was actively involved in A-Reece's "REECE EFFECT" Project as he co-produced and also featured as guest artist in 4 songs. Later that year Maimela featured on Mashbeatz’s 2nd Offering “FIRE IN THE WATER” and has a number of production credits on there as well. In 2020, he released five singles: "$nakes and Flute$", "Celebrate $$", "20 Large", "Muhammad Ali" and "New World Order Free$tyle".

2021 : Money Power Respect
In 2021 started off with a production credit on No Man's Island  by A-Reece. In November that year he was also credited in Wordz project for production in two songs "Cop's & Robbers" & "Flawless".

IMP dropped a song Big Bags featuring Gua'the wise in January which was a lead single to a his mysterious project. In July sent a cryptic message showing that he is dropping a project asking "How Many Song?", 28 November 2021 he released his first commercial Project Money Power Respect  which was very successful and gained much attention from both the fans and OG's.

2022 : Hiatus & Features
2022 is by far his quietest year as an artist. Nevertheless he has a run of features though, running through 11 features from Upcoming artist to OG's of the game.

2023 : Working
January 28th, On his birthday dropped a song "Workin' " to celebrate his birthday featuring Blaklez. Later on the year he droped a song with KID KAYDENCE "Riche$" which alludes on always putting the work and ignoring everything that distracts the journey to being rich. Later that year, he dropped a music video for 4Pipe, a hit record on his previous Project "Money.Power.Respect" and annouced that he is dropping a predecessor Project Before his album " CHAMPION SPIRIT : BANGERS BEFORE THA ALBUM ". The Project was released on the 24 November that year. . On the same day he was featured on a song'BITTER BLI$$' by a fellow South African rapper Trophy on his project 'IF ANYTHING, ITS NOTHING'.

2024 : THE JOURNEY COUNTINUES
After dropping the Project IMP, wasted no time and dropped visuals from the Project of a song "Parasail" with G-Tech 2bit.

Production
The following is a list of albums and songs in which IMP THA DON has produced on as either producer or co-producer, showing year released, performing artists and album name.