STREAM/LISTEN TO GHETTO GOSPEL HERE
Johannesburg- Friday 18 November 2022: Internationally recognized award winning lyricist, Focalistic has released his long awaited 2nd studio album, titled Ghetto Gospel, inspired by true events.
Following his international and mesmerising Straata National Address tour across Europe and The USA earlier this year, Focalistic returned home to wrap up the making of his, sophomore album, Ghetto Gospel. An encyclopaedic 15 track album, Ghetto Gospel showcases Focalistic’s ability to blend sounds from different parts of the world whilst still retaining his Pitori Maradona flow.
On Ghetto Gospel the hitmaker addresses social issues he experienced growing up in the dusty streets of Gara-Nkuwa, Pretoria and how they influenced his view of the world. He taps into his spirituality on songs such as Dipuo, a remake of the popular Sotho wedding song, Sana Marena which he turned into a prayer that features BET award winner, Sjava.
“My mom loves Dipuo, it’s one of her favourite songs on this album, she says the song reminds her of the continued mercy God has shown her and her family over the years. I created the song from a place of gratitude and when the song moved her, I knew we had created a masterpiece” expressed Focalistic.
Quarantined Tarantino used the album as a tool to put a spotlight and empower the new wave of artists from Pretoria. He was careful in making sure that the majority of the album was produced by Mellow and Sleazy with guest appearances from Pabi Cooper, MJ, Ch’cco, DBN GOGO, Venom and Elaine. Displaying their talent, the latter helped the Ke Star hitmaker create one of the most impactful Amapiano albums to drop this year.
Unlike previous roll-outs Focalistic’s aim with this new album is to curate on the-ground experiences to help fans digest the album from his point of view.
” I purposefully named the album Ghetto Gospel, I am a big Tupac fan and felt like I needed to write my own manual of how to survive the ghetto and most importantly how to give back to the community that built you. I love giving back to my people and would love to spend the next couple of months teaching my peers how to better themselves. I want to help more people build businesses in my hood”
The street president is currently on his local PR tour for the new album and kick started off the run by hosting a spectacle for his album listening session out in 012 Central, a creative space which helped garnish Focalistic’s music career. Paying homage to his core fans and family Focalistic hosted over 3000 guests at the listening session that took place this past Tuesday evening.
All the guests where dressed in Focalistic’s favourite colour, black whilst he marvelled his audience in a pink, one of a kind suit by Thebe Magugu. The star was ushered in by a choir and gave the performance of his life. The Ghetto Gospel listening session was powered by Jägermeister, 18 Area Music and YFM.
Speaking about the launch, Focalistic said ” I am blessed to work with a team that is always wanting to do things differently, we wanted to create something that would give us a full 360 moment, 012 central and the State Theatre is where it all started for all of us. We wanted to say thank you to the people of Pretoria for believing in us. For me this launch was also a great reminder of the power that my words hold, everything I am today, I have spoken into existence, ke excellent and wish that each and every one who listens to this album is inspired to build the life of their dreams. Music makes me happy and hope that mine will have the same effect on people.
From Pitori to Paris.
