I like to call Nino Fresko “The Fresh Prince of Bethlehem”—and you might wonder why, but my reasons are solid. To begin with, his name, “Nino Fresko,” translates to “Fresh Boy” in Spanish. And if that isn’t fitting enough, he hails from a quaint farming town named Bethlehem in South Africa’s Free State Province. His music exudes a fresh, sonically thrilling energy, complemented by his distinctive fashion sense. Do you see the connection now? Of course you do. You might have just experienced a “Eureka moment.”
“The Fresh Prince of Bethlehem” is back with yet another hit, titled “Dilong.” This release follows the success of his highly acclaimed debut LP, “Fly For Magriza”, which completely won me over when it dropped in February . It’s often a Herculean task for an artist to equal or surpass their magnum opus—an accolade I believe “Fly For Magriza” deserves despite being his debut—but Nino has defied the odds by harnessing the momentum from his groundbreaking project and releasing “Dilong” , a fiercely captivating, Tsepe-inspired single. Tsepe, for the uninitiated, is a distinctive musical sound rooted in the Free State and Lesotho.
In this Tsepe-infused, idiosyncratic track “Dilong,” Nino Fresko steps boldly into his rap bravado. The track’s central ethos revolves around claiming space with confidence, dismantling imposter syndrome, and rejecting the limitations of being boxed in. This is a motif Nino Fresko himself has wrestled with: grappling with the sonic direction of his music and fearing criticism for adopting a more unconventional yet innovative approach to hip hop.
What strikes me most about “Dilong” is how Nino Fresko remains intricately connected to authentic African values and culture, rapping in Sotho—a language predominantly spoken in the Free State and Lesotho—as a potent code that roots him firmly to his heritage. He also weaves in the spirit of Ubuntu, as the song serves as a rallying cry for his people back home, urging them to stand tall and assert themselves unapologetically.
“Dilong” features a catchy and infectious chorus with the Sotho phrase “Re Kene Dilong,” which translates to “We are within” in English, enhancing the song’s overall vibe. The track’s production, crafted by Nino Fresko with support from KP Tha Pro, is characterized by an outstandingly beautiful windswept rhythm. A breezy melody, likely produced by a wind instrument, forms the core of the track, giving the instrumental an irresistible, earworm quality that makes one want to whistle along. A deep, pulsating 808, alternated with a cinematic synth bass around the second verse ,anchors the song, providing a robust foundation and adding a layer of intensity to this masterpiece. The 808’s rhythmic interplay with the kicks creates a powerful and driving groove that is sure to get even the stiffest hip hop head moving.
To me, Nino Fresko is a creative virtuoso, and the cover art for “Dilong” is a testament to that. The artwork features a smiling Nino Fresko with glowing cyan blue eyes shot by Ntombizodwa Mbatha , inspired by the opening scene of Hype Williams’ film “Belly”. In that scene, DMX and Nas make a powerful entrance into a nightclub, their eyes glowing cyan blue , exuding a commanding and untouchable presence before carrying out a robbery . This scene mirrors the essence of “Dilong,” a song about fearlessly taking up space despite any obstacles that may arise, and this theme is echoed in the cover art. Even more intriguing is the fact that Nino Fresko designed this cover himself, proving that he is an all-around creative force.
“Dilong” is more than a song; it’s Nino Fresko’s fearless declaration of self—a vivid testament to his determination to carve out a space that’s unapologetically his own. Through his seamless blend of Tsepe influences, bold lyricism, and cultural pride, he stands tall against the tides of convention, proving that his artistry knows no bounds. As he continues to push creative limits and elevate his sound, it’s clear that Nino Fresko is on a mission to redefine what it means to be “The Fresh Prince Of Bethlehem” by embodying the spirit of his hometown. The manner in which he infuses his art with both raw energy and cultural diversity coupled with his audacious vision and relentless creativity will take him to greater heights. He’s only just begun, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to have invested in Nino Fresko’s stocks before it’s too late.
Listen to Dilong here https://soldistro.lnk.to/DILONG
