Cop @L_Tido #16Album Today!

Said it feels good to be back!

16V's album is finally here and L-Tido was not lying when he said that he sought to tell more of his story on the project. In what is a refreshing display of truth, L-Tido shares his 13 track piece which caters for his fans, both old and new. 

Opening with a classic cheeky skit, typical of L-Tido to unassumingly steal your girl, he ushers us into an effort that flexes his rhyme skill; gives you doses of his fun personality, and as you go deeper, gets into his real thoughts about life, his career, and how far he's come in the music industry. Joints like 10 Mac and Regular Drip give you a display of his ability to sting together words that will have you following him closely as he rides the beat. That actually continues across the whole album but some moods are more prominent than others. For instance, No Favors with the Supa Mega is one for the sunnier days with more Palesas in his company as the fellas celebrate life. I'm personally loving the classic bounce in the song's underbelly along with having AKA on the hook with his signature vocals. The extra pocket in the song that swings in a dancehall beat is such a tease. This song has got me asking where the party's at. 

Dripping into the more reflective part of the album, Maybe with Maggz and Sean Pages opens up the honest conversations on the album. The fellas open up about their life stories, the kind of environments they grew up in, how they dealt with and in some instances subdued their pain. It's both a bitter and sweet instance to witness the honesty they share on this song as brothers. Turn to your neighbour, give them a hug and say, "Neighbour, you are loved by someone." As you fight back your thug tears, enter Letter To The Game where L-Tido lays bare all his grievances with the game in its current state. From lack of originality, to egos, fans becoming know-it-alls, and so much more, 16V doesn't hold back as he pens down a heartfelt love letter to his biggest love, SA hip hop. Coming from that soft note, he dips into the romantic sounding Higher as he drops a sweet mack about someone who has clearly stolen his attention. We like it for this kind of mood in these raps, such songs of appreciation are always welcomed. Intent on showing off his sentimental versatility in the music, L-Tido keeps the sweet and sexy mood going with Dirty Wine which features Nadia Nakai, Gemini Major, Fifresh, and Darne which makes a perfect combo for a cool dancehall private party. 

Looking to send the album off on a good note, the music brightens up in atmosphere and sound, but the earnest raps remain in tact as we cruise through Zilele into Real Ones which is certain to have the hood lit up with its nostalgic underbelly of kwaito/house infusions. Going deeper into reflections he wears his heart in plain sight on Glitz Gang Forever as he recaps on his career and journey with his brothers Maggz, Sean Pages, and Morale who were collectively known as the Glitz Gang. He talks about his past beefs, them drifting apart, detailing how each brother "left" the clique along with why he hasn't spoken to Morale in years. Shu! Shout out to Tido for the honesty on this track, and album, there's nothing like fans getting a look into their favourite artist's life. Powerful. One thing to appreciate about this album is its sonic tightness, the production and song selection is on point and although he gets a bit deep on you - he doesn't make it that obvious by drowning you in an overload of heartfelt lyrics and bluesy production. He eloquently, if not deliberately, pairs some of his more introspective tracks with feel good music to allow for a duality in reception. You've got to tip your hat off to him for that. Closing off the album, he puts into song the biggest plague in the country right now, femicide, and the wider conversation of Men Are Trash as he portrays a love story gone sour ending in two homicides upon him finding his girl in bed with another man. The crazier thing about this song is how vivid all the imagery is, almost as if you've lived this story many times before. 

L-Tido has a solid effort in 16, you ought to tap into it and catch glimpses of his life throughout: