“This is how we do”, Mthizo’s debut album ‘The Legend of the K.I.D’ brings authentic South African flavour to hip-hop
Rapper Mthizo officially marked his presence in the music industry with the release of his debut album, ‘The Legend of the K.I.D’ in May.
Mthizo’s debut album draws heavily from South African music, particularly the sound and culture of Zola, Soweto. The Legend of the K.I.D is a blend of authenticity, pride, and origin.
When asked about the inspiration behind his album, Mthizo shared, “The album was inspired by South African music, with a much closer look; you will find that each song has an element of South African’s authenticity, pride and origin. The aim was to one, paint a picture of how a young South African man from Zola, Soweto would sound like in a position where he has to rap or make a rap album in 2024, despite all the standards, trends and ‘waves’ that determine how one would expect a rap record to sound like today.”
“Being from eZola, the foundation would obviously be Kwaito which has a very big influence on our style of rap (Kasi Rap) for most rappers from Soweto. I felt an obligation to use my creativity and make music that’s proudly South African without any dilution but with much relevance as possible to be able to form part of today’s world,” he added.
In an era dominated by digital streaming, Mthizo chose to release his album in a USB format before its digital launch. This decision was motivated by a desire to evoke the nostalgic thrill of purchasing physical music, reminiscent of vinyl, cassettes, and CDs.
“Look, before this digital streaming era we had vinyl records, to cassette and then CD. The thrill you got from going to the music store, buying that cassette/CD you’ve been wanting for some time, going back home to put it in your player for the first time. That’s feeling I wanted to give people, remind those that have had it before and also introduce it to the newer generation. It’s a beautiful experience that has to be shared.”
He also highlighted the economic aspect, “These streaming platforms are ripping us off! There are so many investments that go into the making of one song for an artist to be rewarded less than a cent per stream. Balance needs to be restored!”
Songs like ‘Dlala Kanje’ and ‘Hamba Nawe’ fit seamlessly into the broader narrative of the album. Dlala Kanje emphasizes Mthizo’s unique take on the current rap game, showcasing his roots and distinct style. “Dlala Kanje, the title speaks for itself and it further stresses the point I made, this is what the game sounds like right now, we hear you BUT; With us? Where we come from? This is how we do, sidlala kanje thina.”
He further elaborated on ‘Hamba Nawe,’ saying, “Hamba Nawe is a continuation of the narrative, it’s a song about bringing someone closer or inviting them to your corner of the world which in our case, is Emakasana as guys from the township. The album is intended to give you a break from the glitz and glamour, the faking, acting American for showbiz. What you can expect is realness. Imagine going to the township to visit your kasi boyfriend/girlfriend and you get the whole ghetto experience,” stated Mthizo.
Releasing the album during South Africa’s 30th democracy birthday, Mthizo’s music reflects the socio-political realities of his country. “As an MC, one of my responsibilities is to report on subjects that have impact on people’s lives and I try my best to touch on those subjects to kind of inform and give insight to those that rely on music as their medium of information. People, especially young black South Africans need to have a certain level of consciousness and awareness of the status quo in order to be able to manoeuvre the world order as it is not in their favour. In the album, you find songs like ‘Umthandazo WaboKau’ and ‘Sleepless Knights’ that dabble in socio-economic and socio-political issues.”
Mthizo’s success at the annual Back To The City Hip Hop 10K Challenge Cypher highlights his dedication as a lyricist and rapper. His approach to writing and performing is deeply rooted in his experiences and surroundings. “I stay true to who I am and where I come from. The writing is often sparked by life experiences and occurrences that happen around me. The whole process up until the performance on any stage is an embodiment of the ghetto and the township. Musicians nowadays put up this façade of stardom and celebrity status to set them apart from an ordinary person but my approach is raw and organic which makes my style easily relatable or adaptable,” he explained.
Mthizo’s contributions to Kwaito Rap are both a tribute to its rich history and a step towards its evolution. He aims to honour the genre’s roots while infusing contemporary sounds and collaborations, ensuring its relevance and dynamism. “I’m going to keep bringing that heat, bangers! I may come off as uptight but I’m a very groovy person if you get to know me and I’m lethal with the melodies, you can’t escape a good melody no matter how hard you try. Dlala Kanje and Hamba Nawe are being well received even in parts where I didn’t expect them to. Evidently, I must be doing something right so I guess I’ll keep doing it and even more refined each time,” Mthizo stated.
Collaboration plays a crucial role in Mthizo’s creative process. He values the differences that each artist brings, which allow the music to cover a broader spectrum. “It’s always about joining forces to make beautiful art and our differences are what I find most important because they enable the song to cover much ground as possible. If there’s one thing that can unite two totally different kinds of people, it’s music and that’s always my aim when I do collaborations.”
Mthizo hopes listeners will take away messages of resilience and self-worth from ‘The Legend of the K.I.D.’ A notable line from the song “Siyay’gansisa” highlights this theme: “bottom of the barrel that’s where you get the fine wine, in the rough uthola thina amadayimani.” Mthizo elaborated, “No matter where you are from and whatever pit you find yourself in, you can still come out shining. Don’t let your circumstances define you, whatever you have can be channelled into something amazing. The world depends on minerals like us. K.I.D means King in Demand so your kingdom awaits you! That’s the message!”
For aspiring artists, Mthizo’s advice is to study the industry, sharpen writing skills through literature, and consistently give their best effort. “Study the game; learn about literature to sharpen your writing skills. Find your pocket and give it your best shot! Repeat and never miss an opportunity to learn, that’s how you become a master on your craft,” he advised.
Following the release of the album Mthizo plans to focus on creating more music, videos, and collaborations. “More music, videos, collaborations with artists and brands. More public visibility but it all starts with the music so music, music, music! Speaking of which, I’m already working on an EP set to drop later this year, around September or October so stay tuned!” Mthizo revealed.
The album is produced by producer SPeeKa, with contributions from Slick Widit on ‘Hamba Nawe.’
Stream The Legend of the K.I.D here.
