Lesotho-born artist AJFawdySeven is poised to release his latest single, “Mamba,” featuring Eswatini-born hip hop artist Amarii, on August 2, 2024. The track is anticipated to showcase a compelling display of dominance, stellar storytelling and lyrical finesse between the two rappers, who originate from Africa’s only remaining kingdoms.
The single’s title, “Mamba,” is derived from the late basketball icon Kobe Bryant, who used the name as his moniker and alter ego on the basketball field. For Kobe , the nickname symbolized fierce competitiveness , determination and unwavering diligence even despite facing challenges. For AJFawdySeven, this song takes him back to a time in his life where his love interest broke his heart but even in the midst of this challenge, he learnt so many lessons and stayed strong.
The song, filled with numerous basketball references, explores the relationship between love (AJFawdySeven’s heartbreak story) and basketball through its title and lyrics. AJFawdySeven uses this narrative to convey a message of hope, ambition, and determination, resonating deeply with all aspiring dreamers.
Following the release of his June EP, “Time and Place for Everything,” AJFawdySeven’s new single continues his creative momentum. Produced by Sizwe Mbuli , co-produced by Thor Björgvinsson , and mastered by Tyson ‘Jam’ Ramela , the song integrates a captivating 80s sample with pulsating 808s, crafting a soundscape that pays homage to the era while retaining a contemporary edge.
Here’s a brief conversation I had with AJFawdySeven about his upcoming single Mamba:
Conversation between Milliswa & AJFawdySeven:
Q: What inspired you to drop a new single shortly after dropping a project in June ?
A: I think the fact that I didn’t stop recording music, after uploading and submitting the EP. It was sorta a way for me to celebrate dropping, I think recording music and playing chess has been my favorite way of celebrating milestones this year. Releasing it so soon was to sorta give people a glimpse of exactly how I am feeling lately, in real time.
Q: What inspired the song “Mamba”, tell us more about what it means to you?
A: The producer Sizwe Mbuli was the biggest inspiration actually, he always reminds me of my time back in Joburg (2017) when I experienced a very dramatic heartbreak lol, so when he sent this beat it really took me back to that time, that’s why I intro the verse with “2017, Bunting Road” which is the road to the UJ Campus where we used to study together in 2017. The song is not necessarily about just the love story, but more about what it inspired, the domino effect. The lessons I learned from my time there and how it led to me being the person I am today.
Q: Are you an avid fan of basketball since the song carries so many basketball references?
A: I’m really not, hey, I gave the song a basketball theme because of the hook I wrote, “Feel like Kobe, cause you’re my number 24” which is Kobe Bryant’s number that the Lakers retired. So basically numbers in sports are retired only for the greats as to say you’re irreplaceable, as like tribute to how legendary a person is, and for a long time that’s how I felt about said person who dribbled me in 2017 lol. The skit as the bridge of the song is from “Love and Basketball” which is basically another artform portraying a love story through basketball. The movie also happens to be one of my favorite movies of all time.
Q: You’re from Lesotho, how did the collaboration with Eswatini’s very own Amarii come about ?
A: I honestly owe this one to Mmasechaba who is an amazing music tastemaker who is very well known in SA Hip Hop, notably on twitter. She playlisted my song “RAGNARÖK” and Amarii’s “this thing of ours” on her “TBB: Lucky Packet II” Playlist. Amarii immediately stood out for me and we followed each other on social media from then, the rest is history.
Q: What is the hip hop landscape like in Lesotho? Given the fact that you’re quite a small country, just like The Kingdom of Eswatini?
A: Currently I’d say we’re on an upward trajectory, although we’ve just experienced a huge loss due to the sad passing of Malome Vector who is one of the trailblazers of our industry in terms of putting more eyes on Basotho music.
We definitely have the talent (Ntatao, Ntate Stunna, T.U.R.K, Circus Recipe, Origin Musiq, Morena Leraba etc) but unfortunately we’re still heavily reliant on the infrastructure of South Africa to have any chance at a sustainable career in entertainment.
The future is definitely bright for Lesotho, lotta people making strides, from fashion with Joachim Garments, Bonono, Waves, Sqo etc to industry professionals such as Itumeleng Letsapo, Drizz Media etc. There are so many people I can mention who are all doing big things all over the world so the landscape is definitely getting more fertile day by day.
It just wouldn’t be right to speak on Lesotho Hip Hop without paying our condolences to Malome Vector who has done so much for Lesotho and African hip hop. As Hip Hop Africa, we recognize his efforts in putting Lesotho on the map. Rest In Peace, Malome Vector.
Pre Save Mamba here :
Connect with AJFawdySeven here:
https://linktr.ee/AJFawdySeven
