@malidizl - Top Billing Series Vol. 1: Sour Grapes EP

Mali D finally shares his debut EP after gifting us with impressive numbers such as Dirty Harry Flow, and Georgie Zamdela to highlight a few. Top Billing Series Vol. 1: Sour Grapes is a 5 track piece that showcases Mali's music styles in a sizeable way. 

Opening with the scenic B.W.Y.A, the slow burner introduces you to the mood of the EP as Mali assumes a nonchalant delivery style rapping about his character, hustle, hunger for the game, and recovering from a personal breakdown. We love the dreamy atmosphere of the song which leaves room for your ear to absorb anything else he throws at you next. On that note, Believe That with Karen falls into play and the charm in him takes centre stage. Like a true thug who loves himself some good love, he steadily raps about his heart's desire and their relationship tides, the most important thing being that they are forever no matter what. Auuw! We like it for romance in the raps. 

Midway through the EP is the fire Georgie Zamdela which fits in really well with the project's sonic design. If I didn't know it it would be my favourite song on the EP, but that happens to be the next track, Foolish. Calling on another unmatched wordsmith, One Shaman, Mali D gifts us with an urban grungy number that satisfies both your hunger for soothing music, and skilful lyricism. Everything about this song is a trip, from the pockets in the song where the beat is EQ'd down, to the added clips, and the fleeting panning of echoes in the background. Foolish has a bit (keyword being "bit") of some Kendrick Lamar vibes in its fundamental sound experience. The project closes on the playful and uptempo Xhosa Girls, a song that probably still has to grow on me. With this debut Mali D has successfully shown you multiple facets of his artistry even though you would be right in feeling like he definitely has much more to reveal to us. For a debut collection, Sour Grapes certainly serves its purpose. 

Check it out and get familiar: