WITNESS THE RISE OF THE SUPREME LEADER ON ZULO’S DEBUT EP ‘TALK TO ME NAACE’

Having gone through a complete rebrand, South African rapper and music producer ZULO unveils his debut EP, cleverly titled Talk to Me Naace. The EP features guest appearances from the multifaceted Money Badoo, Blood & Water-singer Frya and the reggae overlord Don Dada. ZULO’s incredible transition into his newly found perspective promises one heck of a journey for the artist!

The 9-track EP is 35 minutes long and deals with themes of patience, timing and self-empowerment, as well as the aftermath of ZULO’s harsh realities, including his father’s recovery from stomach cancer over triumphant melodies and groovy bass synths while making use of classic South African samples from Miriam Makeba to Benjamin Ball.

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On his EP title, ZULO explains: “As coloured people, we’re always told to speak ‘professionally’, especially in work environments. We have to put on this twang to be corporate. The title is taking power from that and now telling people to talk to me at that level they deem so high. Take me seriously!”

Talk to Me Naace spotlights ZULO’s transformation into his Star Wars-inspired moniker, the Supreme Leader.

The EP incorporates various sonic experimental elements from the trap-infused street flossing braggadocio “SUPREME”–the nostalgic kwaito textures on “JUST VAARBS” and “Love Your Life”–the afro-pop and reggae hybrid “Flashlights”–to the EDM-enthralled and sexually charged funk ballad “8 –along with glimpses of classic boom bap hip-hop and R&B.

ZULO frequently pays homage to the south of Johannesburg, specifically on the hard-hitting anthem “Portals”, the EP’s lead single.

ZULO is no stranger to the industry having built quite the foundation under his previous stage name Lil Trix having collaborated with Slikour, Rouge, Priddy Ugly among others and was recognised as one of HYPE Magazine’s freshmen in 2017.

Listen to ‘Talk to Me Naace’ here.

Watch the music videos:

“Love Your Life” here

“Portals” here

Check out the lyric video for “JUST VAARBS” here.

Track listing: