It seems international Hip-Hop is in a strange place right now, what with there being a lack of hip-hop tracks within commercial charts such as Billboard and there seemingly being no distinguishable mainstream sound for the genre as of now, but with that, I believe that there is more room for artists to innovate and reinvent the sound. I feel that much of that is being done here in our borders with tracks such as Machine Gun. by makwil., Meccamind, and produced by LOUNGE SINGER a two-minute, 30-second showcase of production aptitude and rap prowess. 

The rapping on showcase from both makwil. and Meccamind is an expert display of talent in the spaces in which they operate. The smooth flow and slow cadence, from makwil work well at welcoming the listener into the sonic space crafted by LOUNGE SINGER. Meccamind delivers as he usually does, with his New-tswako stylings over crisp 808s, further proving why he is one of the emerging acts in the SA music scene

‘Machine Gun.’ is a song that is rich in atmosphere with the clean, precise mix to the simple conjunct melody, alongside the seemingly UK drill-inspired drum pattern, the track retains a uniquely South African scent whilst bearing hints of more worldly flavours.  From the get-go, the track seats you comfortably and allows you to be immersed in its atmospheric landscape, with the mix and slight reverb added to makwil’s vocals as he delivers a stellar performance on the hook, placing you, the listener, in almost a hypnotic state. 

One thing South African Hip-Hop has always excelled in is pushing the needle in terms of what Hip-Hop is supposed to sound like; our ability to transgress has always made South African Hip-Hop stand in a lane of its own. This uncertain period in hip-hop’s history has established the fact that the artists like a LOUNGE SINGER, makwil. and Meccamind are essential in taking the sound forward, and I am excited to see what these acts do next.