Driemanskap have finally released Hlala Nam, their sophomore album which they have been teasing for years. The 20-track project arrived last week, and features YoungstaCPT, King Kosh, Haem-O and several others.
The four-man Cape Town crew (Redondo, Ma-B, Dla and El Nino) maintain their raw street-centric sound and lyricism on Hlala Nam. Songs like "Uhambo," "Things We Do For Love" and "Champion," among others, with their trap-leaning production, reveal a crew that's not reluctant to experiment with other sounds.
The first original single to Hlala Nam, "Izulu Lelam" was released in 2012 while the crew was still signed to the label Pioneer Unit. The album was shelved when the crew parted ways with the independent label shortly after the release of "We Are Not the Same," their 2014 single, which featured the rapper iFani. Driemanskap signed a deal with Native Rhythms in 2015 to release the Journey of a Soldier EP in the same year. Driemanskap is one of the biggest hip-hop outfits in Cape Town. They rose to prominence in the 2000s and would go on to release their classic debut album Igqabhukil' Inyongo in 2009.
On Hlala Nam, Driemanskap didn't try to recreate their cult classic, opting instead to experiment with different sounds and styles. For instance, the song "Ndakondla" will take fans by surprise as the crew trade the bars for melodies in what could become your favorite wedding-style song this year. But their rappity rap sensibilities are never lost. Peep the cypher they kick on "Cypher with Sjava (Skit)," which precedes the bar fest that is the previously released YoungstaCPT-assisted single "Give a Wh?T."
Only time will tell if Hlala Nam will make a reasonable impact and restore confidence on Cape Town's staggering hip-hop scene.
24 авг 2024
