Cop @MaEzeeDoesIt #212 Album Today!

Ma-E's sophomore album is finally here and it's nothing short of township excellence. If there's one thing to remember Ma-E by, it has to be his black excellence mentality. Never has there been a rapper so in-sync with the hood, down to every single rhyme, like Ma-E is.

He opens 212 with motivation for the hood boys (and girls) on Ntwana Yam telling them to keep strong and never show their despair no matter what. Both good and bad advice, but to be honest, it's tough these days. You can't afford to shed a tear in case a wolf dressed in sheep skin takes your pain and writes a circus script based on it ya know? We move into a mild party on the familiar Bumpa Remix which solidifies Ma-E's gangster and finesse. Again, young Flex Rabanyan's verse is noteworthy on this track. 

I think I found my favourite song on the album, or is it 'cause Tellaman's on it? Perhaps. The Ghanda Ghanda parks by the roadside to shed a layer of the toughness for a smooth track titled Khethile Khethile which hosts themes of love, family, trust, resilience and faith. We particularly love that this song is not about one specific subject but various issues close to Ma-E's heart, the biggest being loyalty and remaining strong in one's faith. SPIRIT is what Kwesta called it. Yizinto carries on where Khethile Khethile left off, this time taking it to the street hustle and carving a name for oneself. Ma-E takes us through his life by giving us a lens into his come up and upbringing as a rapper when no one in his hood understood the power of hip hop. He continues to walk down the street as he tells tales of how he progressed from hardship to where he is right now. Although he's a big name, he still doesn't have it easy, he acknowledges that and insists on rolling with the punches. If you ever needed a dash of courage, 212 really is the album to be at right now. 

The theme of overcoming, victory, courage, hustle and resilience is embedded throughout this album. It's basically a testimony of what Ma-E has been experiencing since he gave us Township Counsellor. You hear this in the banging, yet catchy Don't Worry with Kid X. Have you noticed how Ma-E has gotten other artists to help him reiterate courage in his hooks? He doesn't want to be the only one telling you to keep going, he enlists his features to echo the words in the hooks for you. Pay attention to the rest of the album and you'll catch what I'm saying... We're totally digging the bubblegum influence in Don't Worry, this production is so nostalgic - it sounds a bit like a mix of something MaBrrr and the Big Dudes would jump on. The sound is just more refined and well engineered. I don't know if they did this on purpose 'cause Ma-E's vocals in the hook are also effected, sounding sampled. I'm going crazy here! Superbly, the sound in Don't Worry creates a dope platform for Kanjalo to continue from there on. Ma-E has carefully weaved the themes on his album to continue from one thread to the other. From giving you some hustle pep talk in the top half of the album, he emphasises his happy character by bringing in the party from here on. Basically, forget about all the bad things and continue to be who you are regardless. Kanjalo is the perfect carrier for this new mode in the album. 

From telling you that we're doing it Kanjalo to being in awe on Angaza Kanjani, it's evident that we all need to pause and reflect on how far we've come. Ma-E more than encourages you on this album, he's actually having conversations with self, out loud. We just happen to be listening along to these utterances which happen to be his raps. This is dope! The reminder to keep doing you comes back on Live & Let Live with Gemini Major which is another celebratory track in its bouncy nature. We're totally digging the subtle afro-dancehall sounds on this track, but mostly that the sound on the album remains consistent despite the switches here and there on every new track. Ma-E himself is unwavering in his flavour despite who he jumps on a track with proving both his flexibility and uniqueness. Case and point, Mercy with Da L.E.S where the grungy South meets the upper North. The synergy on this track is impeccable as Ma-E and Da L.E.S issue warning about their merciless slay. The fellas style on you here as they pray for protection and success while they face challenges (or haters) in their shine. Despite all that, you can't possibly dim their lights. They are way too bright. 

We get a heavily kwaito tinged track in Sharp Huzed which has a fitting feature in Yanga 'cause he's definitely someone to channel with these kind of vibes. They're having a party again 'cause you can't keep good people down. This is definitely a sun-out, meat on the braai, and pretty girls giggling typa song. Lousta Simone's appearance is quite impressive given that he goes against the expected flow on this track, brilliant approach. As we near the end of the album, the kwaito influence is steady going into Uyaspeeda as Ezee flexes on the haters. This track is what we consider Ma-E's finesse track on the album as he takes a moment to make a statement through the raps on his own here. He's in a good place, yet you can't step incorrect to him 'cause you'll regret that motion. 

He renders a new version of the familiar Ngawe with an almost acoustic strip of the track slowing it down for the album. We like that, you know, taking the effort to re-do a single's production for the album. It goes a long way. The North god is back to seal off the album with It's Over, a fitting title if you ask us. The track is banging and loaded with a lot of passion. We consider this a diary-entry-turned-prayer by Ma-E as he asks pertinent questions about your level of dedication to your dreams. What would you do to get to where you need to be? How far are you willing to take things to see your vision manifest? Questions that require deep reflections with self to come up with honest responses. In this song we see Ma-E's heart for his people on a deeper note. He considers every single kind of person from all walks of life and what they may go through. He also sends prayers to the heavens for guidance and sustenance. A beautiful close to this man's compiled letters to his people. 

212 Is a powerful hustler's soundtrack and a reminder that resilience carves the strongest of figures in society. Moreover, Ma-E never ceases to represent intwana zase kasi on every single track on this album which gives him undeniable consistency in matching his album title to his true thoughts. This is fundamentally his essence and we welcome it highly. 

Get it on  iTunes right now!