A List Of Projects To Look Out For In 2018

2017 was undoubtedly a great year for South African Hip Hop, with many of our faves dropping their albums, timeless singles and also pulling major moves. Some made announcements to release their projects the coming year and we'd like to remind them that the internet never forgets. Fast forward to this year, 2018 started on a high note for most artists and while most of them have been very consistent in delivering new music, we just can't help but wonder when the albums will be coming out. Here's a list of some artists whose projects are to be expected this year.

AKA

AKA released his and Anatii's joint Be Careful What You Wish For album last year, followed by plenty of singles from the former. Towards the end of the year, he did mention that he was off to Sun City to prepare his album titled Touch My Blood. The Supa Mega has not shared the release date for the album but has kept fans busy with his new singles. Star Signs and Sweet Fire are the first singles the rapper dropped since BCWYWF was released and it seems the stars are definitely aligning for a fiery project soon.

B3nchMarQ

The B3nchMarQ duo just dropped a new single titled Wifey and are soon to follow up on their 1st Quarter EP with a new album this year. We had the duo for a sit down last year where they unpacked some of their plans as well as the controversy they found themselves in. Since parting ways with their record label, they have released much more music than they did previously which has gained them a wider audience. These guys are definitely on to something and we really cannot wait to hear what they have in store.

Blaklez

Blaklez gave fans the 24th of November 2017 as the release date for his Baby Brother album but had to move the date because it did not feel right at the time. The rapper has been keeping fans entertained though with some short clips of him rapping along to some of his most popular tracks as well as unreleased material. He ended 2017 off by releasing his Cassper-assisted smash hit, Saka Nyuka and is prepping to drop the visuals soon. Since changing the Baby Brother release date last year, Lez has not shared any more details, which is making fans more and more anxious about the project. If he keeps this up, Baby Brother will end up growing into an old man.

Da L.E.S

Last year we received High Level which donned some fan-favourites such as Popular Demand and Train Rides. Before that, Da L.E.S gave us Hall Of Fame before he announced that it will be getting a sequel this year. Unlike most, if not all the artists on this list, we actually have a release date for Da L.E.S' forthcoming album. You can look out for Hall Of Fame 2 which will be dropping on the 2nd of March. 

HHP

HHP ended 2017 with an announcement about dropping a new single early the following year. Kea Jelwa dropped late January with more news from Jabba about preparing an album for later in the year. In the middle of his fancestors' jubilation over the news, Raheem Devaughn and Jabba exchanged a couple of tweets which were followed by another announcement of them preparing a joint album. Although the pair has worked together before on Jabba's Motswako High School album, the news of a joint album is something to look forward to and let's face it, it's not every day that you get a collab project between an African and American artist.

Kid X

Mfana Ka Aunty is definitely in his element right now since joining Kwesta at Rap Lyf Records and we can tell by the music he's been putting out. 2017 saw Kid X close the year with Aunty which is still making a noise to this day. We last had X over for a chat where he disclosed that he was planning on releasing an album and later shared that the project was lost somewhere in the states upon being sent for mixing. Before that, he had gone mute on the scene in order to center himself but has been gradually getting his groove back. My crystal ball tells me this year will be a fruitful one for Kid X's career, wait and see!

L-Tido

So, L-Tido last gave us a project back in 2013 which donned some classics like Steve Kekana, Who You Lovin' and We Ain't Leaving, among others. After gaining much hype since dropping his kwaito-inspired single, Moto, the rapper then decided to share the news that a new project was on the way. A week after announcing that, Cassper Nyovest comically went after Tido for not hitting him up for a feature since working on Steve Kekana, which Tido gave a thumbs up to. There's still no title for it although we're certain that the project is set to drop sometime during the month of February.

Nadia Nakai

Nadia undoubtedly had a phenomenal year last year, with the cherry on top definitely being her smash single Naaa Meaan featuring Cassper Nyovest. Nadia has been doing plenty of campaigns and shows, these have been keeping her busy although she did announce that an album was on the way. Her latest single with Cassper has been getting a lot of love from fans and industry mates alike, it's also a dope build-up to the project. Although she hasn't announced the project's title, we suggest the 18th of May as the drop date, it's also her birthday which makes it all the more special - naaa meaan?

YoungstaCpt

YoungstaCpt has dropped a total of 29 mixtapes (no, I did not make a mistake) since he began his music career and he's getting hyped to increase his catalog. That's way more music than what your favourite rappers give you in a year and the celebrated lyricist/Cape Crusader is about to drop his official debut album sometime this year. Before that though, he plans to drop his 30th mixtape just to seal the deal ahead of the debut album. Youngsta recently came off his International Naaier tour in Australia as well as a celebratory trophy tour around Cape Town. He's already shown to us that he's about to OWN 2018 so it's only a matter of time before his album drops. SALUTAS!

Yung Swiss

Cameroon's own Yung Swiss announced last December that he was working on an album, even shared a preview of some new music but hasn't said much about the project since. He last shared his For The Nation music video before joining Astryd Brown on Four. Last night he and Zoocci Coke Dope hooked up at the former's place and The Dealer confirmed that music was definitely on the way. Looks like we'll definitely be getting a follow up to 2016's Bottom Baby, get ready!