We have waited in anticipation as Jay Jody prepares this upcoming debut album while giving us nothing but blank Instagram posts with no captions – further building the suspense.
Today, the rapper inches us closer to the project as he gives us a piece of what to expect – the album title.
Shared in unusual fashion, Jody takes us to a Google Drive folder complete with press pictures and a short interview. He gives us his take on the current climate in SA Hip Hop, where he reveals that it’s in the safe and capable hands of those who fought for the genre and never backed out.
It’s clear to see who stayed down and kept it alive when everyone was saying ‘SA Hip Hop fell off.’
Jay Jody
The Revenge Club Records co-founder further shares his recording process, the work he put into his debut, the importance of time, and finally, how time aligns with the album title.
Time is very precious and if one has goals and dreams, every waking day should be dedicated towards your ‘Shine O’clock.’
Jay Jody
As the rollout proceeds, we look forward to an official release date. We’ll keep you posted on the latest.
Hailing from Nairobi, Kenya, King Kerby is an eclectic and multi-talented artist who effortlessly encompasses the roles of rapper, vocalist, songwriter, producer, DJ, and curator.
Kerby’s delivery of clever and witty punchlines and bars in a spirited manner encapsulates his rhyme ability and free-spiritedness. He comes through in his usual manner to build the track and make it a dope hit.
“Extra, Extra” is how the entire production can be described and is captured in the initial entry line.
“Taifa Leo” is a Swahili word that translates to the nation today. It is also a Kenyan daily news magazine published in the local language.
A standout feature of the song is the visuals. Cj PIxels creatively utilizes the landscape of Nairobi’s central business district to shoot the video. It opens up with a close-up shot of the duo before transitioning into the city’s landscape.
The dope collaboration demonstrates the electric chemistry between the dynamic duo. They complement each other overall in the production resulting in a superb execution.
King Kerby dedicates his artistry to his craft, and he puts in the work to ensure perfect execution. Dj Mura, on the other hand, is talented and a genius on the one’s and two’s.
Put together, they are simply a lethal combination, and “Taifa Leo” proves this. Check it out and let us know if it is a hit or miss
Emeka the Stallion, aka Blaqbonez, aka Young Preacher, woke up and chose violence. On a viral freestyle video, Emeka goes on a lyrical killing spree as he applauds his versatility on different genres and then proceeds to throw sub-disses at a lot of artists in the industry, while announcing a new song in the process.
While these could be just random rap-centric bravado and braggadocio, many fans claim that they know who thee shot are meant for as they are too specific— so specific that the only thing missing is the artists’ actual name being blatantly dropped in the verse.
Others say the “do your TikTok dances in peace” line perfectly fits Mavins and Jonzing artist Ruger.
Others say the “what are we doing? hyping up wack artists with streaming farms” line refers to Seyi Vibez Afrobeats and Amapiano Artist.
Blaq ended the freestyle by announcing a new single titled ‘Don’t Tell Industry People’ to be released on the 7th of July.
This is coming just barely a month after he released his collaboration with American rap legend Ludacris, complete with an elaborate video shot in Miami.
2023 has been quite a busy year for Blaq, see the post below to find out 5 times Blaqbonez went HAM on songs this year.
Still taking in the positive reception of his latest single, Tyson Sybateli paid a visit to Entlek Entlek to break down the message behindIt Worked.
The celebratory track details Tyson’s will to win, where after countless failed attempts, he finally found a new way of operating, and reintroduces himself as a new man.
“This is me, this is the new approach.”
Tyson Sybateli, Entlek Entlek
With the song’s music video already out, we can’t wait to see what more Bra Nyoga has in store for us. Watch the space!
Johannesburg-based production duo, Select Play Music, comprising of Tellaman and Lastee, have a new song out titled Better Than This and team up with Nasty C and Manana for the Summer-ready bop.
I’m picking up some interpolations from Khalid’s “Better,” the chorus and melody, while the general message is quite similar to that of the aforementioned song.
The guys sing/ rap to their love interests, where they confess that there’s no other feeling better than what they get from their loves.
Kenyan top rapper Shawn Houdini has dropped the #Nairoghanistan2 album tracklist featuring other dope collaborations. This is as he prepares his fans for yet another due hot drop.
The rapper dropped the tracklist, which listed the number of tracks and collaborations expected on the album. Houdini linked up with various top dawgs in the project, and is expected to be his best project yet.
Nairoghanistan refers to the realities of Nairobi, the city under the sun. The daily struggles of life are referenced with the merging of ‘Nairobi’ and ‘Afghanistan’.
A constant war zone, and that is how Shawn Houdini comes out guns blazing in his rap.
Nairoghanistan2 tracklist
The follow-up to the first #Nairoghanistan Ep will include more features with other rap stars. Houdini has been consistent with his art, giving his loyal fanbase a reason to stay alert to cop this new project.
Nairoghanistan features a fire lineup that includes various drill emcees from the 254. This is an indication that this will be a major project when released.
Some of the rap Avengers assembling for this tape include:
Mr Right 254
Lil Maina
Jodye Faneto
Bueno
Listen to the Nairoghanistan EP tape as anticipation builds for the release of this new project.
The theme for World Music Day 2023 is “Music on the Intersections”, highlighting the ability of music to unify communities and individuals. World Music Day is an annual celebration that is observed on June 21 to celebrate the global language of music as well as honor musicians for their contributions.
Below are 10 Continental collaborations amongst African rappers that helped foster unity amongst Africans, showing the power of music to unite people of different cultures.
M.I. Abaga ft. HHP: Superhuman
As the 2010 world cup in South Africa helped unite citizens and soccer fans from all around the country and abroad, we saw Hip Hop in Africa bring together two of the continent’s rap juggernauts in 2012.
This is where the cross-continental collaboration between Nigeria’s M.I. Abaga and South African Mostwako pioneer, Hip Hop Pantsula (HHP) came about, where both delivered superhuman level verses, further bridging the gap between the two countries.
ProVerb ft. M.anifest: Proverbs Manifest
That same year, South Africa took a trip to Ghana where one of SA’s most respected lyricists, ProVerb came together with one of West Africa’s most prolific emcees, M.anifest in Proverbs Manifest.
“Chaley oh word, I speak in proverbs, riddles and such, but let me blunt”
HHP ft. M.anifest: Jigah
As a proud pan-African, HHP again joined forces with M.anifest in Jigah for the former’s album, Motswako High School.
The two rap titans played lyrical heads of states in the streets of Johannesburg to deliver their Pan African hip-hop manifesto over a Wes Mapes production, going back and forth in four different languages; English, Pidgin, Setswana, and Twi.
Jabba even had to do the Azonto dance in the video to solidify his Ghanaian honorary citizenship.
Ice Prince ft AKA: N Word Remix
“Look how I put my city on the world map, it’s gon take more than good luck to bring your girl back.”
In just one smooth double entendre, the late Kiernan Forbes announced his triumphant entry into the Nigerian music as he partnered with Nigeria’s biggest rap export, Ice Prince in a remix of the latter’s N Word.
AKA ft Burna Boy , JR and Da L.E.S: All Eyes On Me
Burna’s infectious patois hook combined with AKA, JR, and Da L.E.S’ braggadocious rhymes on a classic Brenda Fassie sample instantly brought the country to a standstill.
With South African producer, Tweezy on production, the song quickly took over the local club scene and solidified AKA as a top class hitmaker.
M.I. Abaga ft Khaligraph Jones: Black Bill Gates.
This was the song that brought the respected Kenyan lyricist, Khaligraph Jones to the attention of Nigerians.
Housed on the most controversial and fan splitting of all the Illegal Music projects, Illegal Music 3, the song was a lyric-fest as Khaligraph delivered a scene stealing verse and made sure that Nigerians never forgot his name.
Emmy Gee ft. AB Crazy: Rands and Nairas (Remix)
To think the original version of the song was already big enough, they had to go even further with an even bigger remix.
Nigerian rapper, Emmy Gee recruited South Africa’s AB Crazy and the late DJ Dimplez to create one of 2013’s biggest party anthem. The song made its way on to every DJ’s set all across the continent, bringing down Lagos pool parties, the Durban July’s, and Nairobi festivals.
NuRu ft. Shappa Man, Keko and Stanley Enow: Zani Mali
Zani Mali was the blueprint of what a Pan-African Hip Hop posse cut should be, where there was representation from almost every single corner of the continent.
The track recruits talent from Kenya (Shappa Man of Camp Mulla), Uganda (Keko) and Cameroon (Stanley Enow). It was an anthem in East African rap and helped in further bridging the gap between the West and the East.
M.I. Abaga ft Cassper Nyovest: Soup
In 2017, while the world waited for the official follow up to MI’s third studio album, ‘The Chairman,’ Abaga shocked fans by going Frank Ocean and dropping a surprise “playlist” titled ‘Rendezvous.’
The project housed two South African collaborations, one with Cassper and another with Kiernan, who were both at he helm of affairs in Mzansi Hip Hop.
Soup was the Cassper feature Nigerians were all waiting for, one with Mr. Incredible.
Nasty C ft. Cassper Nyovest and Davido: Juice Back (Remix)
A young Durban emcee was introduced to the whole continent through a monstrous verse that left people Googling his name for months, in the midst of continental giants, Davido and Cassper who also delivered stellar verses.
Can you remember when you were when you heard these songs?
Which one of them is your favorite, and which ones did we miss?
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Back in the Golden era of SA Hip Hop, circa 2016, the debate about the best female rapper in South Africa was between the then Mabala Noise signed Gigi LaMayne and the then Ambitiouz Entertainment signed Fifi Cooper. This was the female version of the Nasty C versus A-Reece debate, two artists also from both stables respectively. Gigi has gone to carve an unconventional but successful career path from her keen over the years, in between breaks and hiatuses to try different things like fashion and now acting.
Like the famous saying goes if you want to be great, stand on the shoulders of giants, great artists are inspired other great artists that came before them, Gigi LaMayne in an interview with DJ sharp disclosed Mzansi hip hop legend inspires her the most.
The ‘Koze Kube Nini‘ rapper gave Katlehong-born emcee Kwesta, his flowers and states that his journey and come up story inspired her to keep pushing in her career even when the going got tough.
“Like I just want to say, I’ve always been like inspired by Kwesta’s journey,” she said. “He tried many times and then Ngud’ happened then for me like my Ngud’ moment didn’t come, everyone says like, Ice Cream was a debut, it wasn’t the Ngud’ moment,” said Gigi Lamayne.
Kwesta was signed to Buttabing records owned by Slikour and Nota Baloyi in the early 2000s, he had a slow rise to superstardom with a slew of hits here and there and minor success from his debut album ‘Special Rekwest.’
It wasn’t until 2017’s ‘DaKAR II’ that he was able to fully bloom into the artist we all knew he had the potential to become and the world finally caught on. Third time’s the charm they say.
After boldly declaring himself ”Da King of African Rap” on the album title, he went on to show just why he deserved the crown.
The album spawned hit singles like ‘,Nomayini,’ ‘Day One,’ ‘Mayibabo,’ the posse cut ‘Mmino,’ the ladies’ favorite Thabsie collaboration ‘Ngiyazfela Ngawe’ and the very monumental ‘Ngud’ featuring Cassper Nyovest. The latter which led to that very controversial Metro FM Awards moment, about a certain label buying awards.
The album was certified 7× Platinum by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RISA), having sold 210 000 copies in South Africa, DaKAR II became best selling hip hop albums of all-time.
This lead to Kwesta topping the MTV Base Hottest Emcees list for two consecutive years, in 2017 and 2018. The only other emcee to have achieved that feat was Cassper Nyovest in 2015 and 2016 respectively.
DaKAR II went on to become South Africa’s biggest selling album of the 21st century, certified 13x platinum for sales of 390,000 copies. It is also the best-selling hip-hop album in South Africa of all time.
Kwesta’s trophy cabinet also houses 6 South African Music Awards, 4 South African Hip Hop Awards, 1 MTV Africa Music Awards, and 1 Metro FM Award.
Miss LaMayne also disclosed to DJ Sharp how she’s feeling in light of the progress she has made so far in her rap career. “It’s nice over here, it’s really nice over here,” Gigi said.
“I just wish I could shake my booty a little more and just speak a little more and laugh a little more. Because I’m okay with the fact that I had to lose a lot to be able to gain the little of what I have.”
The Disney Plus SA animation series titled ‘Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire,’ just announced a star studded cast of local talents and Gigi LaMayne is one of those that will join the cast fort the one of a kind project.
Concerning new music, weeks ago both Gigi and Lady Du sparked rumours if a collaboration via a series of Instagram posts early this month.
Lady Du posted an image of herself with the caption, “Working on something amazing with the queen @gigi_lamayne.”
Gigi LaMayne has also been doing media rounds for the upcoming collaboration which will be released on the 23rd of June 2023.
“There is definitely new music on the way” she said. “Gigi LaMayne, Lady Du, Robotboii and Ntosh on a very powerful song where Amapiano meets Hip-Hop.”
In an era where Hip Hop artists are prone to dissing their piano counterparts, it would be amazing to see both worlds come together for a change.
Are we ready for what Gigi is cooking?
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DJ Speedsta is coming back to kill ’em as he previews the visuals for his latest release, Don’t Phazamisa Me with yungseruno, Stilo Magolide, and Okmalumkoolkat.
From the short teaser, the gang’s seen in a field of trees performing the track while draped in W.A.T.E.R. Without giving too much away, we definitely know the visual is ought to go hard.
Since dropping last month, Speedsta has been hard at work promoting his single with assistance from Stilo, who’s made appearances in several videos.
The Love & Hip Hop SA cast member has not shared when to expect the visuals so keep an eye on our pages for more updates.
One of SA Hip Hop’s golden boys, Loatinover Pounds has become a nationwide hitmaker with the success of Sosh Plata and continues to collect major wins.
Since dropping the remix with 25K and Thapelo Ghutra, the song has plummeted to great heights in the music charts, also earning Pounds millions of YouTube views for the music video in just 2 months.
Sosh Plata remix currently sits on a little over 2 million YouTube views, matching Spotify’s streams at 2,600,000, and is his most streamed song to date.
As Loatinover Pounds’ popularity grows, he is also getting more performance bookings and attracting brand partnerships. His signature “Faka Punyete” trademark has also helped grow the Punyete apparel brand, putting it in the spotlight as a fresh urban brand to look out for.
Punyete’s New Eyewear Range
The hood-popular streetwear brand, Punyete, has added to its growing apparel line with a new range of sunglasses.
The “Faka Punyete Retro Sunglasses” have been made available to consumers in three colorways – black, white, and brown. Retailing at just R200 a pop, the brand is making it possible for the average person to look stylish while also supporting local retailers.
Aside from the sunglasses, Punyete also has a wide range of shirts, fashionable “Nyete Là Punyu” tote bags, beanies, and their “Nyete Là Punyu” caps sported often by Loatinover Pounds.
Be sure to visit their website at www.punyete.co.za and shop for something cute!
