The first single to the EP is #FGTBB which stands for Feels Good To Be Back. Hugo, the producer I collaborate with, is young & current. Playing with a lot of AfroBeat sounds coupled with the modern wavy sounds the globe has come to vibe with. #FGTBB has a very modern sound to it but the addition of Spikiri’s old hook from his kwaito classic Vibe Lezinto brings it home. In short, the song is an evolution of kwaito. Someone who’s lived through the different ages of urban SA Music to now will appreciate the journey.
Hugo:
On the 2nd track, Hugo the producer challenges me to be more current on a trap soul feel. The chorus is reminiscent of AKA’s Kontrol featuring DaLes. On my verses I also make references to other kwaito classic hooks and phrases like Chiskop’s Klaimer. Hugo also jumps on to do a rap feature with what he calls his Wavy Trill style. It’s a very fun, sing along.
Mazenke Music:
With Mazenke Music, Hugo’s taking it to the Afro-Pop/AfroBeat realm with the rhythm of the song. The song’s title is inspired by the vibrancy of sound found in the squatter settlements in Johannesburg. Meant to be a fun, groovy, sexy sing along song for clear skies and showing thighs. I also let the vocal chords loose on this one with the assistance of the infamous auto-tune. It’s a “varb”.
Boomtown:
This single is a production collaboration between Hugo and myself. I wanted a heavy mid-tempo kwaito feel of late 90s early 2000. What’s great about it is the approach to the song wasn’t the expected hook-like vibe to those kwaito tunes but instead my delivery as straight up Hip Hop (boom bap) influenced. And that’s the beauty of Motswako. When you’re expected to go one way you can take another and it’ll still sound authentically SOUTH AFRICAN. This single features the soul singer Tribal who came off rapping on the single. Something he hadn’t done before until now. This is going to be the song to look out for.
Ganda Dance:
For the last single HUGO was experimenting with making Gqom and I loved it. It’s slightly slower to the general speed of the genre; but still packs a punch. The inspiration of my verses were Ofcourse taken from the legends of the style Professor, Big Nuz, OK MalumKoolKat and Sho Majozi to name a few. Also felt it would be fun to throw in Tswana words on the chorus and also try my luck on writing in Zulu again. The title of the song also inspired a dance which is being developed by KZN star choreographer Artchild.
All of these songs will hopefully make people excited to hearing the Drum Album which is full of original, game changing sounds and styles.
#FGTBB Tracklist
- Feels Good To be Back
- H.U.G.O
- Mazenke Music
- Boomtown
- Ganda Dance