2012 in Review: Seats’ Top 5
It’s been a great year for @25tolyf. As is customary, you’ll be seeing “top ten lists” or variations of that all over these interwebs in the lead up to and possibly even into the opening of the new year.
As you may have noticed, we started our Year End Reviews yesterday with Part 1, @rosshagan’s Top 5. Of course, the regular caveat: music is a personal thing and tastes vary, so with that said; the following are the gems of our beautiful continent that touched my ears this year. I present to you @twoSeats’ top 5 highlights of 2012!
2012 In Review: Seats’ Top 5
Favourite Song of 2012
- Kwesta – Boom Shaka Laka – One of the catchiest tracks I heard this year, it had a slow burn as people discovered it and lauded Kwesta’s delivery and punchlines. Stellar to say the least. The video was crisp like fresh lettuce too!
- Eva Alordiah – High - She has been wowing me since last year; her video for “High” is beautiful. A message that’s under the surface too just puts the cherry on top.
- Xtatic – The Prep Track – A video that was short but sweet! Amazing flow & as anyone that follows @25tolyf will know I’m the one that’s in love with all things femcee. Xtatic is one of the best emcees I heard this year period.
- Motif Records Presents sixteen 16s – June 16 is a special day for South Africans; this track filled with SO MANY amazing artists is a definite highlight of my year. Featuring Zubz, Kanyi Mavi, Golden Shovel, Nthabi, Tehn Diamond, Reason, Youngsta & MANY MORE there’s a flow for everyone here.
- M.Anifest – Makaa Maka – As usual an incredible performance from one of our best talents on African soil. He helped kick off Hip Hop on a good note this year.
Favourite Album/Mixtape of 2012
- FOKN BOIS – FOKN WIT EWE - This album single-handedly changed my view of African Hip Hop this year. Irreverent, witty, socially conscious. Ghana’s most controversial voices delivered a project like no other, AND IT WAS FREE!! (for a short period)
- Jay Rox – Mvesesani - The most biased on my list. I waited patiently through lots of promo and wasn’t disappointed. Great production as well as awesome content made this catch heavy rotation with me.
- Dominant 1 – Feels like 1995 - The essence of years gone by is within this project. Like a time capsule it transports you to a time when music still had the veneer of just being music, good music. Standard listen for the “heads”.
- Synik – Syn City – The interwebs have run out of superlatives to describe this project. Award winning, and receiving acclaim across the continent, simply criminal to not have heard this album.
- Raiza Biza – Dream Something LP - Raiza worked hard putting out LOTS of material this year including a collaborative effort. It’s a wonder he still had so much bar setting material left in the tank. This project is that of an emcees emcee.
Favourite Artist of 2012
- Three Wise Men – They released ONE track but had my attention from the word GO! I’ve not been this excited to hear new material in the longest time! Here’s hoping that they weren’t a once off & are who to watch out for next year.
- FOKN BOIS - Wanlov & Mensah are the smartest duo on African soil. I’ve been happy to be enthralled by the amazing thought behind all their music. Satire & wit aplenty to put across social commentary
- Reason – A breakout performance two of the best videos out this year couple with an album that really should be listed above in my top 5 albums list but sadly, 5 is a small number.
- Camp Mulla - The Kenyan group moved & shook all in front of them this year setting new standards with their music & reach. I tip my hat.
- Sarkodie - Hard work sets this man apart, so much material, all of it being of such high calibre with multiple high-class videos… His flow entertains constantly, one can’t say more.
It’s goes without saying that this list does not cover ALL the best music that came out this year. These are a few of the many that should merit ones attention if you missed out! Check out the rest of what was this year on the blog and feel free to agree or disagree in the comments. Otherwise, tell a friend to tell a friend to make sure they keep up with the African Hip Hop Blog next year!
Read Part 1 of @25toLyf’s 2012 in Review series by @rosshagan
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