I was raised in a home where music was deeply rooted in our everyday life. My mother, particularly, had a strong affinity for artists like Aaliyah, Mary J. Blige, Eve, and Ms. Lauryn Hill. These weren’t just names to me; they were the soundtrack to my early years, shaping my perception of music. Over time, I found myself drawn back to these icons, especially Ms. Lauryn Hill, who I believe stands among the greatest musicians of all time. Her talent was multifaceted: she could rap, she could sing ; but more than that, her art was authentic. She wasn’t about the superficial or the physical. It was the substance of her lyrics, the social consciousness she infused into her work, that made her truly timeless. And that very same quality, that depth and sincerity, is what I see in Nyota Parker: a daring and introspective voice emerging from the South African hip hop scene.
Nyota Parker’s latest release, Soulless, which dropped on September 27th, has had me utterly captivated since my first listen. The track merges the soulful, funky undercurrents of neo-soul with the audacious spirit of alternative rap, creating a sound that’s as innovative as it is reflective. Nyota Parker’s approach to rap is unconventional, yet powerfully grounded in social awareness. Hailing from Cape Town, she first caught my attention with Like This, a track featuring Jay Jody. The artist then went on to release her project titled “Intrusive Thoughts” in March, a project that offered a profound glimpse into her psyche, establishing Nyota Parker as a prominent voice in South African hip hop.
But it’s with Soulless that she truly asserts herself, confronting the hypocrisies of the industry and expressing her frustration with record labels, all while affirming her unwavering commitment to authenticity.
At its core, Soulless explores themes of disillusionment and the importance of staying true to oneself, regardless of the noise around you. Nyota Parker boldly states that people may say what they will, but they can never call her “soulless.” The track is profoundly moving, its lyrics brimming with thought-provoking insights that nourish the listener’s spirit. There’s also a deeply spiritual thread running through her words, as Nyota reflects on her belief that she is being divinely guided. This song stands as a defiant testament to resilience and faith, and the deft production work by Samant only amplifies its impact, perfectly complementing Nyota’s intricate, poetic flow.
Equally striking is the accompanying music video, which draws inspiration from the classic tale of Snow White. The video opens with the iconic line, “Mirror, mirror, who is the brightest of them all?” spoken by the evil queen . Soon after, we see Nyota, presumably playing the role of Snow White, in a forest setting, singing and dancing alongside men who I believe are the dwarfs. The visuals take a fascinating turn when the Queen presents Nyota with a poisoned apple. However, unlike the original fairy tale, Nyota doesn’t succumb. I interpret this as a deliberate choice, a symbolic gesture to highlight that when one is spiritually grounded, as Nyota Parker appears to be, they are capable of triumphing over even the most insidious of evils.
In the final scenes, the dwarfs are seen carrying a coffin, but it isn’t Snow White inside: it’s the Queen. Nyota Parker stands over her lifeless body, victorious and unscathed. This music video directed by Mawuli Campbell expresses that if one is rich in the spiritual realm just as Nyota Parker is, they can make it past any obstacle: staying true to the main ethos of the song.
Nyota Parker brings forth a fresh, genre-blurring sound to the South African Hip Hop scene, immaculately weaving funk, soul, R&B, and jazz into a style that’s both nostalgic and forward-thinking. Her lyricism is poetic and inventive, effortlessly blending metaphors, wordplay, and cultural references, offering both intellectual stimulation and broad appeal. With “Soulless,” she proves that she’s a rising star , steadily carving out her place in the upper echelons of the South African Hip Hop landscape.
Listen to Soulless here:vyd.co/Soulless
