Slow-burners to watch
AS FAR as breakout acts go, the last few years have not given us a bona fide superstar. But 2019 has the potential to be different. I’m not holding my breath that a Zahara or a Babes Wodumo will suddenly emerge but it’s only January, anything can happen.
What I am sure of, though, is that the slow burners will get even more momentum this year. And that’s simply because they haven’t stopped grinding.
Take someone like A-Reece for instance. While he rose to popularity relatively quickly, since unceremoniously leaving Ambitiouz Entertainment, The Boy has been “doing things” to ensure his age group and internet-savvy folks keep him as one of the most streamed artists in the country.
And this year, he is poised to take things to another level because his fans really ride for him and aren’t being encouraged – by press or influencers – to do so.
A somewhat new act to which you should also be paying close attention is The Cousins. They linked up with the established JR for an album called Love Me Now at the end of last year. Perhaps it was the release date or maybe people don’t know how to digest an album that is part afro-pop, part trap, part afrobeats and part-pop without trying to box it in.
But I definitely feel the album was slept on. There’s no word on whether JR and The Cousins will continue as an act or if The Cousins will do their own thing. I’m here for either in 2019.
Last year, The Big Hash got co-signs from the likes of Riky Rick and Apple Music. The rapper has not reached his peak and is also one to watch this year. He’s definitely an internet kid and it shows in his performances. I saw him perform alongside Makhadzi and Sho Madjozi last year and he’s got a way to go. But I’m rooting for him.
Speaking of kids on the internet, a rapper called Phola is also one to watch. She often posts videos of freestyles on her Twitter page and recently put out a song called Mars.
Someone who is no stranger to the music industry is Tailor. The former alternative act turned pop has reinvented herself once more.
This year she plans to release a totally different sound from what we’re used to – under a new name: Anna Wolf.
Her latest single as this new person is Believer and is a reminder that the limitations you place on artists are of no use.
As far as producers go, I believe Makwa – who no longer wants to be referred to as a producer but as an artist – will continue to mould his South African sound into something from which artists beyond RapLyf can benefit.
Another producer who will probably put out amazing music in 2019 is Noyas, of The Boys Upstairs.
He had a big hand in the sound of Mariechan’s stellar 2018 EP, Cherry
Blossom. It’s nice to see that he can produce beyond hip hop.
Who are you most excited about in 2019?