In recent weeks, or perhaps even months, my patterns of music consumption have undergone a significant transformation. I recall a time when I consumed music purely in the spirit of discovery, eagerly awaiting each week’s Spotify Discover Weekly playlist to unearth raw, emerging talent within the South African music landscape. But lately, I’ve gravitated toward the familiar ; revisiting songs and albums that I already know, merely to stay afloat. Concerning, right? Especially for a self-proclaimed music fiend and someone deeply entrenched in music journalism. Perhaps this shift is a symptom of age catching up with me, or maybe it’s simply the consequence of an increasingly hectic schedule. Whatever the cause, one thing remains steadfast: my love for music is unwavering. Amid this change in my listening habits, one artist managed to disrupt my routine : Xavier Thxmas, a Hip Hop and Trap artist hailing from eMalahleni, a town in the neighboring Mpumalanga province of South Africa. He first caught my attention with his track “Shukela,” featuring Flow Jones Jr and LaCabra—a song I stumbled upon through LaCabra’s Instagram page, immediately prompting me to rush to Spotify for a listen. Who would’ve thought Instagram would become the new tastemaker?
Released on June 7, 2024, “Shukela” is a high-energy Trap anthem, driven by an infectious hook and a pulsating production filled with heavy, dance-inducing rhythms. What truly captivated me was LaCabra’s verse, which I initially discovered through a snippet on Instagram only to find that the whole song is truly ethereal. And yes, kids, visuals do indeed matter. “Shukela” showcases the three rappers boasting about their fashion sense, lyrical prowess, and the strides they’ve made in their careers. From the moment I heard it, I made it a point to follow Xavier Thxmas closely, eager to see how he would build on this momentum. You can imagine my excitement when I saw that his next release would feature one of my favorite South African Hip Hop discoveries of 2024: Nino Fresko
Xavier Thxmas has released a follow up single titled “Inkinga Manje,” at midnight , featuring none other than the Fresh Prince of Bethlehem : Nino Fresko, and the production powerhouse, The KidsNextDoor. In this track, Xavier and Nino Fresko trade bars about the challenges that accompany fame, using their sharp lyrical skills and rapid-fire flows, all while incorporating local South African languages to narrate their experiences as rising stars under the scrutiny of both media and fans. Their powerful lyricism is further enhanced by thumping bass, booming 808s, and hi-hats, while borrowing unique textures from the Amapiano genre’s iconic log drum.
The Mpumalanga born rapper has been making strides in his career participating and winning in numerous rap competitions and cyphers such as ShootUrShot, Rockstar Energy Drink Hustle, CottonFest Booth Edition just to name a few. Inspired by the late South African Hip Hop icon Costa Titch, Xavier Thxmas stands poised to become one of South Africa’s most compelling artists. As he readies the release of his new mixtape, “Taste The Cheese,” one can only wonder what more this rising star has in store.
