South African music in 2011 has been absolutely amazing.
If it wasn’t the DJs- Euphonik, Kent, and Monotone, to mention a few- it was the hip-hop artists telling us to stand up for a Victory Lap, or to Jiva Sfabulous. After that, we had Lira and Zonke making names for themselves abroad, making way for MiCasa, The Soil and the omnipresent Zahara to emerge on the local scene.
I was particularly impressed by the hip-hop offerings this year, though. For the first time in a long while, I bought a South African artist’s album. And I did not regret it.
AKA’s Altar Ego lives up to all the hype that followed him after the release of the three lead singles, Victory Lap, All I Know and I Want It All.
After listening to the album, I must say I really like Mistakes, Bang, and Ladies Is Pimps Too. It’s quality all the way through, and Loyiso Gola’s interlude skits are funny, in a…slightly confusing way.
I love how sincere his Thank Yous are on the sleeve, and I maintain that the day I finally get to see him live will be a very happy one indeed.
Nkhensani Manabe 