The latest EP release from Stogie T since the global pandemic contains hard hitting songs that reflect a particular kind of cynicism prevalent in Africa.” The dream deferred, the loss of hope under the crushing weight of an increasingly failing state. ” Says Stogie T who has spoken about this state before, but this time there is a look at the effects of it on its people. What becomes of the people’s thinking, their dysfunctions, and pathologies.
Featuring a dynamic group of collaborators that include American spoken word giant Saul Williams, South Africa Afro-Folk singer Msaki and vocal powerhouse Bonj, newcomer Apu Sebekedi offers a striking baritone performance on the lead single ‘Shallow’. The album was produced by Produced by experimental jazz musician Shane Cooper.
In African hip hop terms Stogie T is a legend and bonafide O.G. With recording credits ranging from Styles P, Immortal Technique, Saul Williams, Chinese Man, Nasty C and others, his battles on KOTD, tours across all five continents and his global status is not one to be taken lightly.
Stogie T is now poking his head out from an African music scene he has long been regarded as a pioneer of. Having been part of a wave of young post-apartheid musicians introducing the optimism of the rainbow nation with band Tumi and The Volume.
This time around he taps into the cynicism of a country once heralded for its miracle democracy. While the world dances gleefully to the new ground-breaking South African sounds of Amapiano, Stogie T’s ‘Shallow’ offers a searingly bittersweet taste to mirror these promising yet strange times. “The overarching messaging in Shallow is collective psychosis.” He says.
Shallow was conceptualised and written and recorded between Johannesburg and Los Angeles at the tail end of covid between moments of intense anxiety. Produced by experimental jazz musician Shane Cooper, who has been a pivotal figure in the Johannesburg live music scene. Drawn together by their love of alternative hip hop and South Africa’s vast 80s musical output, Stogie T and Shane set out to “Merge these colours against the background of the local current dance waves taking over the globe.”
Stogie T has long been heralded as the conscience of South Africa’s cultural landscape and he doesn’t disappoint covering pertinent subjects from “Mental health, land issues, love and a cynical warning to the future of Africa.”
In terms of the production tone “We wanted to somehow redeem the 80s by using its vintage keyboards and programmed drums while staying loyal to the core values of my lyricism” says Stogie T.
Pre-Save on Apple Music & Stream Single on Spotify, Youtube Music, Boomplay
STOGIE T “SHALLOW” EP TRACK LIST
1. 80’s Love feat. Brittney Crush
2. The Get Back (Zimkile) feat. Msaki
3. Too Late for Mama feat. Bonj
4. Shallow feat. Apu
5. Biko’s Ghost feat. Saul Williams
6. Dux Africanus
EP LISTENING LINK: https://on.soundcloud.com/pJx2v
STOGIE T X SHALLOW – Social Media, Promo Assets
Link to Photos, Cover Art, Social Media Assets
Link to The Sobering Podcast – Interview with Stogie T
Instagram: @Stogie_T X: @tumimolekane
Stogie T Bio
In African hip hop terms Stogie T is a legend and bonafide O.G. With recording credits ranging from Styles P, Immortal Technique, Saul Williams, Chinese Man, Nasty C and others, his battles on KOTD, tours across all five continents and his global status is not one to be taken lightly.
Stogie T’s artistic credibility and commitment to the culture has seen him win lyricist of the year twice at the South African hip hop awards and a monumental “Sway In The Morning” freestyle in 2018 that cemented his position as one of the best proponent of the lyricism in the game.
Starting with a stellar career as the lead man for the world traveled live outfit Tumi and the Volume and his various solo projects including an album with French production team Chinese Man and the Australian hip hop pioneer label Nuffsaid Records his outlook has always been intercontinental.
It is however, in his iteration as Stogie T that the rapper has come into his own. His albums ‘Stogie T’ and mixtape ‘Honey and Pain’ as well as noteworthy features across the world have solidified his spot with the giants of the craft.
Today Stogie T is the true voice for black youth on the continent. Seen through the lens of South Africa’s highs and lows his music muses on political instability, the newly won freedoms of the youth, and the shenanigans of the newly minted Africans down south.
Add comment