J.Dilla was a prolific Detroit underground hip-hop producer and rapper, known to the general masses as 1/3 of the soulful hip-hop group Slum Village.  Dilla grew up in a family of musicians with his parents performing as an accapella Jazz group. He was bound to be connected with music in a special way…the harmonies he grew up to, influenced his experimentation with drums, keys  and various instrumentations which saw him develop a distinct warm and fuzzy hip-hop sound.

He went on to produce  A Tribe Called Quest’s Grammy award nominated album Beats, Rhymes and Life  and over his career and to his untimely death, this highly gifted musician grew an almost cult like following from avid hip-hop lovers…Globally.

As  we come to the end of #DillaMonth we open heartedly and with ease celebrate one of his biggest fans who could be said to have inherited Dilla’s musical genius and spirit.

I’m talking about South African born and Stuttgart based Two Point Owe, a prolific producer with a career that spans from working with the likes of a beat crazy duo called Jungle Bunniez and also working with some of the  members of a legendary Cape Town Rap Group called ETC Crew .

In this track he decided to pay another tribute to his idol by creating a song out of his favourite Dilla joints,  from the drums, stabs, effects and even raps. Check out and download (free) his “Don’t Be Afraid – Dilla Tribute”

Ruby Gill is a singer/songwriter and “aspiring redhead. earth enthusiast” from Jo’burg who’s currently based in Melbourne, Australia. She wrote her first song at the tender age of 11 and has since managed to sharpen, whilst still continuing to explore her sound as a young womxn.

This track, ‘Winter‘ boasts a strong and passionate message about loving and matters of letting go of what must be left. This comes through her powerful and yet, soothing voice as she takes it between higher and calm notes. It is a well-balanced blend of Pop, mixed with the raw acoustics of traditional Folk sound, resulting in something that’s groovy and easy to dance to. An example can be found in the different guitar sounds; one being a rocking electric and the other being a therapeutic acoustic. Everything just comes together to form a lively and energetic song which contradicts the dead and lowliness of the cold season thus giving bright hope of what’s to come, for it’s not a sad song. As a songwriter, Ruby’s poetic yet comprehendible lyrics make her deserving of praise and as a singer, her voice alone is enough as a soother of sorts.

With the winter season nearing its end, I reckon jamming this song is the ideal way to wave it goodbye, with no hard feelings at that. By the way, the tune came out as an exclusive download, limited to only 100 for free but you can still down load it on the link below.

Words by: Tsheola Asavela

Devour Ke Lenyora is an emcee/songwriter, with a vocal ability as well who hails from D-Town (Daveyton), Benoni. This is her first EP project titled We’re Almost There, and it has a total of 5 tracks and a lot to say.

The intro is titled ‘Things I could’ve said’ Which is an emotional foundation for this project. She goes through a  soft retort of things that she wishes she could have said to what seems to be a significant other that she left vulnerable because of her inability to love him, the song is broken by hooks of her melodies over an acoustic guitar, singing “Thula, thula sana, umama uzobuya” (quiet down son, mother will return) words we believe are to a person she couldn’t mother nor love.

  ‘Blood On My Hands 2.0’  is divided into three sections – a snippet from the Lauryn Hill – MTV Unplugged  album followed by a sinister yet sincere  verse that she drops after pouring herself a drink, the verse consists of confrontations with God on judgement day, relentlessly hustling and deep thoughts about breaking the chains of poverty against seemingly insurmountable odds; and it closes with an outro from another Lauryn Hill clip topped by  a few bars where she spits metaphors which compare her skill and demeanor to greats such as Thandiswa Mazwai and Brenda Fassie to name a couple. The beats are pleasantly mellow and enchanting, with some Jazzy and soulful elements that make them easy-going to the ear.

With joints like ‘Something To Believe In’ being a perfect example wherein she talks about faith, with Mx DaFrxshPrince on a joint effort in the composition. There are some interesting production vibes with unique and catchy beats as well, which are found in songs like ‘Envy’ and the love joint ‘Seasons Change’. As for the matter of the lyrical content, Lady Di pours out her heart and mind with all the honesty she can conjure up in her serious, matured style and her seasoned lyrical skills. She ends the EP with ‘Visible Ghosts’ where she talks about her dad.

I would certainly rate We’re Almost There as being amongst the D-Town classics and generally speaking; I rate it as a good and insightful listen with some lovely beats to relax by.

Words by: Tsheola Asavela

Year: 2017

Genre/Style: Hip-Hop/RAP

Lex LaFoy has been around the SA creative scene in for quite a while, and emceeing is among one of her specialties that she has become well-known for; killing it both on the field (battling and freestyles) and in studio. This single, ‘Vuk Ekseni’ is just a snippet of what she has to offer on the M.I.C.

The joint is proudly produced by Durban homeboys, The Nutscratchers and sees Lex spitting her raps strictly in IsiZulu in the first two verses, before switching it to the universal tongue in the last verse right after the thumping, House inspired transition.  See, the song basically talks about waking up (early) and going out there to get it, getting your grind on! The chorus says it all for summated emphasis, tweaked to sound deep with the heavily dropped  pitch on the vocals.

As for the beats, damn! You gotta give it up to The Nutscratchers…

Give it a listen below and download.

Words by: Tsheola Asavela

VIwe Tyolwana is a singer and writer based in Gauteng, South Africa. She cites a variety of iconic musicians such as Beyonce, Kevin Micheal, Frank Ocean, John Legend, Micheal Jackson, Miriam Makeba, Marsha Ambrosious, Brandy, India Arie and Prince as her influences.

Today she dropped a song titled “it goes without saying”, A soulful, R&B song that many who have experienced heartbreak and grew to love wholeheartedly, can relate to. She delves deep into her inner thoughts and emotions to deliver a young woman’s fearless vulnerability towards her partner.

This is an undoubtedly honest and heartfelt song that sees her spill her heart over the deepened yet crisp echoes of a guitar’s strings. This song sees Viwe grow into her own and sing her own truth.

Listen to this honest and enchanting song below; Is it worth your listen?

“I will leave it up to fate”

Words by: Lethabo Ngakane