Publications
Partners
A lot has happened on the local music scene this year, with quite a few heavyweights releasing much-anticipated projects. We sift through what was good and what missed the mark.
1. Stogie T: Honey and Pain 5/5
This mixtape was the pinnacle for me this year. Stogie balances hype with skill and he didn’t have to go pop to do it.
2. Black Motion: Moya 4/5
The Afrocentric album Moya Wa Toala had this sceptic of deep house believing again. The arrangements have an organic feel to them and the drums take precedence on most of the record, with each track better than the last.
3. Anatii: Iyeza 3/5
This album shows off Anatii’s understanding of music beyond rap. Each song lends something from another genre and could probably birth individual projects of their own.
4. Moozlie: Victory 3/5
Moozlie did herself proud on this. It started a little slow built to a rugged middle section. A solid album.
5. Reason: Azania 3/5
In my soul I felt this would be the best Reason album. It’s all right, but this album is so clearly trying to sell. There’s a bit of something for all but the flavours are not anchored together.
6. Nasty C: Strings and Bling 2/5
The beats are proper, well-polished arrangements but the raps are far off. Although it’s trendy right now for an emcee to discuss money and relationship struggles, when I first heard Nasty C I thought he was going to provide new direction for South African rap, not just offer his take on old themes.
7. AKA: Touch My Blood 2/5
I really didn’t like this album. It’s done amazingly well and the single Fela in Versace is a moment of note this year, but that was about it.
