@nickiwvlker & @ShabZiMadallion - Soul'd Out EP

ShabZi Madallion and Nicki Walker team up for the 6 track SOUL'd Out EP which builds on ShabZi's ideas of being exhausted by a world that is full of fakeness on many levels. Titled by Nicki Walker, the EP speaks to the journey of a genuine soul in a world where one struggles to evolve because of the things a human has to do to survive whenever obstacles arise.

The production is very spacy, almost dreamy, as though they are playing on the juxtaposition of illusion versus what's real. From the opening, ShabZi Madallion glides through the layered beat that sounds like the soundtrack of a mystery movie of sort. I must say, the production on this project really carries that message of genuine versus "fictional" life by transporting you to spaces and back. On Don't You Get Tired, ShabZi is rapping in ail as he starts the song throwing up. I'm not laughing but wow. If you're not getting the message loud and clear then you've still got a long way to go with these raps. He's sounding jaded as he addresses subjects he's so tired of entertaining over and over again. Even though he's being dramatic, or playful, the bars never take a day off and that's what makes ShabZi so special to the rap game. 

Save Us swings in with a sober sounding ShabZi reiterating the struggle of being real and keeping the music authentic, how ironic that pure art and craft could be such a burden. This is precisely what SOUL'd Out is about. He addresses the chatter that people give him about making a hit in order to blow on this particular song. Heyi, inde lendlela bakithi. While we're still on that, his alter ego Madallion makes a notable appearance on Should've Known as ShabZi sings in the hook about all the unimportant elements (or perks to some) that come with being a musician - such as jewellery and women. The Mo (Prelude) then comes on with a haunted atmosphere picking up from the feeling in the previous track, spilling into the closing of the EP. Dear Mo is a smooth love letter featuring Shawn Matthews on vocals as ShabZi recalls long lost times with a special someone he was close with but they never dated in order to preserve their love. The song finds ShabZi reflecting on how he used to be by her side through so much and one night their bond just ended abruptly as she was preoccupied with something else while he was ready to spill his heart to her. Yhu. Life is a mess sometimes, we know mntase. ShabZi's ability to not only put you in the front row of his life, but also remind you of many moments lived in your own life is impeccable. 

A big shout out to Nicki Walker for the incredible sonic experience, not forgetting to shout out Beats By Blass on co-production. Tap into their world and try not to get lost in it: