Photo: AKA in Brooklyn, New York. Photo: Aaron Leaf.
AKA “Composure”
Adversity and anger can bring the best out of an artist. A highly-publicized feud with Cassper Nyovest, breaking up with his baby-mama after just two months of fatherhood, and other behind-the-scenes complications, led to AKA’s accidental hit. From beat-selection, rhyme construction, cadence, to its killer hook, “Composure” is one of AKA’s best songs. When he performs it live, AKA has people rapping along word-for-word. And it’s still on many playlists long after “Dust to Dust” (Cassper’s response) was deleted. “Composure” proved that diss tracks don’t always have to be done over gloomy beats.
AKA shares his texts with Trevor Noah in Okayafrica's 'All Up In Your Phone' series.
Tumi ft. Busiswa “Visa”
With clever lines like “SMSing the baddest chick/ I see error (Ciara)/ she sees a Future,” Tumi’s “Visa” was great in all ways imaginable. The role-playing on the song is what makes it a true collaboration rather than just emailed verses and hooks. House vocalist and poet Busiswa’s personality breathes life into the song. Tumi managed to make an entertaining song out of an issue many couples deal with. “Visa” is one of the most refreshing songs of 2015. And it’s from one of the greatest albums of the year, too.
Return of the King: Tumi Molekane Reflects On 10 Years In Hip-Hop
Riky Rick, Anatii, Cassper Nyovest “Fuseg”
Riky Rick roped in Anatii and Cassper Nyovest for "Fuseg" (which loosely means “fuck off”). The song came just after AKA threw some shots at all three dudes and was naturally thought to be directed to AKA. Whatever your theory is, “Fuseg” is a great song with an even greater video (like most of Riky’s songs). The big distorted bassline and ominous honking horn play a fitting backdrop for the three emcees’ unapologetically lofty lyrics. Anatii opted for a more rappy hook with no melodies and autotune. These three understand and complement each other well.
Boyzn Bucks: Johannesburg's Street Culture Empire
Nasty C ft. Cassper Nyovest & Davido “Juice Back (Remix)”
At 18, Nasty C is a complete artist—great rapper with a personality to match. He can make songs, too. His single “Juice Back” got the attention of mega stars Cassper Nyovest and Davido, who each contributed verses for the remix. Nasty C still managed to have the greatest verse on the track (he trended on Twitter when the song was released), with relentless lines like, “Fred Mec told me your favorite rappers have heard of me/ But a lotta these n*ggas won’t get a verse from me/ I feel bad for being the one to school these n*ggas when my friends are tryna get into university,” and his flawless delivery. Be sure to cop his Price City mixtape released earlier in 2015.
Watch Cassper Nyovest & Talib Kweli spend a day out in Johannesburg with Okayafrica TV.
DJ Switch ft. Tumi, Youngsta & Nasty C “Way It Go”
DJ Switch assembled a formidable team of emcees – Cape Town’s Youngsta and Durban’s Nasty C alongside veteran Tumi Molekane. All three rappers laced “Way It Go” with pristine 16s. Tumi looks back at how far he’s come. Youngsta brings Cape Coloured slang to the mainstream in what could be the best verse of 2015. Nasty C proves once again he can hold his own alongside greats. “Way It Go” relies on no gimmicks and the simplistic hook isn’t the main focus of the song, though it’s still attention-grabbing. Just solid verses that heads have been talking about for the past few months. Youngsta and Nasty C are two to watch in 2016.
Read Okayafrica's interview with Youngsta in 'The New Era Of Cape Town Hip-Hop.'
