New Music Friday: OTAREL shares new releases from STKay, DJ OB Gwala and Speeka
We bid what we hope is the first season of Kasi Rap Records, adieu.
Speeka and his team gave us a phenomenal 13 weeks of uncut kasi rap and raw hip hop on KASIRAPTV, and a season finale which surpassed our imagination. The series pilot aired on SABC 1 on August 3. A big shout out to the team for making our dream to see real hip hop on TV come true.
FRESH OUT
STKay ft Teyerstar – Uzulu
When the late Kids in Africa group member Lakhe Somdaka aka “ThisGuyThatGuy” (R.I.P) said “Listen to the kids, bro”, he knew that the culture itself must always recognize new talent. Hip hop influences us all differently, and when we are young, and are heard, we become motivated to open our minds to a positive life experience.
STKay Lightbringer is an emerging rapper from KZN who has all the makings of becoming great. His content is both playful and conscious, whilst his flow easily surpasses some of the older generation trappers. In “Uzulu”, he and Teyerstar share why they are proud to be Zulu and challenges unfounded stereotypes that reflect poorly on the character of all Africans, whether Tsonga, Ndebele, Xhosa etc., all at ages of 16 and 14, respectively.
“Uzulu” is a well-produced song with the potential to become our new stadium anthem if we “just listen to kids, bro”. Rest In Peace, Lakhe. The kids are in safe hands.
DJ OB Gwala – Sgaxamabhande ft. Leverage x Kriss AntiB
On October 2, DJ OB Gwala dropped what can only be described as straight fire, featuring Leverage and Kriss AntiB. “Sgaxamabhande” is a cornucopia of phat rhymes, a dope beat, and what you get when you combine two emcees who are versatile, multi-lingual, and have hard hitting bars.
Produced by Speeka, “Sgaxamabhande” is out now on Spotify and iTunes the music video can be streamed on Youtube.
REFLECTIONS
R. I. P Inferno Williams – Quiet Man Time
In a very short public service announcement in July 2023, Inferno Williams informed us he will now be going by the name Ramiels Revenge and that he has ended the character that is Inferno Williams. On the same post he shared a link with new offering from his persona, in collaboration with Irrelevant Papi.
Quiet Man Time is an EP produced by Irrelevant Papi, and our introduction to Ramiels Revenge. The project is a mixture of soulful jazzy instrumentals and a deliberately calm yet lethal delivery by Ramiel. “Seven White Candles” is a beautiful 1:48 seconds of softly delivered wisdom, where we get to understand the mission of the new persona, whilst, in contrast, “What’s that in your hands” is more up tempo, with a crafty trap flow. The EP Is available for streaming and purchase under Phuma Sathane Records on Bandcamp.
Music Video News
The Almighty Arrogant Chron
“My bars will make you rush, like you busting a nut. You’re nothing to us…” With opening lines like these, Chron Burgundy’s “The Almighty Arrogant” needs no introduction to hip hop lovers across the globe.
The single itself was released on February 3, 2020, and we finally got blessed with some dope visuals three weeks ago. Produced by Skinny Bonez Tha Godfatha, “The Almighty Arrogant” is a head banging joint where Chron flexes immaculate lyrical prowess in every rhyme scheme.
“I am the almighty arrogant and super obnoxious. Never aiming for the head but I shoot for the coccyx “. It is no wonder that Chron’s catalogue includes features from some of the world’s dopest emcees. The music video is shot by Maxwell “UNI-Verse” Melow, with FX and edits by Kensei Funqui of African Dojo Studios and is available for streaming on Chron Burgundy’s Youtube Channel.
ON BEATS
The Emmortality Beat Tape
Producers in South Africa have upped their game in the past few years, and the quality of production that is hitting the mainstream is insane. We cannot talk about dope hip hop producers without mentioning Emmortal Beats, who is known for winning the Butan 1 hour challenge last year, and for producing for artists like Rashid Kay and Timmy01ner.
The Joburg based producer has confirmed that he is currently working on Vol. 1 of “The Emmortality Beat Tape” but, has not yet announced a release date.
COMING SOON
In The Booth
Audio Simz is a KZN based producer who has held his own when it comes to making bangers, curating projects, and basically cultivating the Durban trap sound. Aside from having the unique ability to create an 808 that can catch a person’s soul, he is responsible for producing some of the dopest mainstream hits to come from Durban, and his catalog of beats includes the beat for Dr. Peppa’s “Mntase”, Lord Script and Emtee’s “Run It”.
His latest body of work is a collaboration with Lowkey Esto aka “Papa Smurf” and the first release from their EP is a track titled “No kepisi” featuring Celestial Mic and Zooh, to be released on all digital platforms on November 2.
Cape Town’s top tier reggae/ragga artists Crosby Bolani is an elite musician who can turn a track into an anthem with powerful words of wisdom and intricate flow.
On the October 31, he will be releasing “No Negative Vibes” which is produced by Digi-Analog, and mastered by P. E’s finest, Beatology.
IN HIP-HOP WE TRUST.
Zwana La – Mthizo ft Rev Tumza & SPeeka
I’d like to close off this week by issuing a sincere apology for the misspelling of Mthizo’s name and the incorrect release date of the track “Zwana La” cited on the article in last week’s NMF.
