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

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

If you didn’t know her prior to this as a poet of conscious effect then I bet that you have heard (and seen) her lately in a few songs, doing her thing.

Here however, Maya Wegerif, or rather Sho Madjozi presents a solo debut release titled ‘Village Dreams’ where she says a handful via her musical flank as an independent artist. Musically, she has proven that she is versatile and talented and on this single she chose to strut her stuff by chanelling her Afro-Pop vibe. She collaborated with a Ghanaian Afro vocalist who goes by the name Worlasi (Supreme Rights Inc.) who adds a West African touch to the chorus.

Madjozi delivers her polished verses in both English, and the Xitsonga (Shangaan) tongue. She does this over a jolly beat that sonically displays some vibrant kwaito feels; laced up with catchy 1-2 drums; an innocently melodic element and some marimba rhythms leading from the front. The song is like a mission statement of one who came to conquer and displays her positive and confident persona through her straight-forward and simple raps to make things clear.

Simply put, the joint epitomises her already set triumph. For the listener though, it is a dope joint ideal for either a road trip playlist or when having a chilled time on a sunny afternoon outdoors.

Download here

Words By: Tsheola Asavela