@Nveigh 's #PeanutButter Is A Moment For All Of SA Hip-Hop

Each and every industry has their ups and downs in their own way. However, not all ‘downs’ are exposed to the public, therefore industry participants feel no need to prove themselves or live up to anyone’s expectations. This is not the same for the music industry.

For the longest time, South Africa’s music industry has been considered a hobby. “You can do this on the side. Why don’t you get a degree in…” are words that always come up. They’re usually followed by “Get a real job, this has never worked for anyone.” However, art is defined as “the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form, such as a painting or a sculpture, producing WORKS to be appreciated primarily for their beauty of emotional power.”

The keywords of this definition are ‘human creative skill and imagination,’ ‘work,’ and ‘emotional power.’ Art is exactly that. We hear the music and enjoy it as it comes, but are we aware of the work and emotional toll behind it? Do we realize what artists put into the art which we critique upon release? Instead, we enjoy it as it comes. With every drop artists give out bits and pieces of themselves to entertain and get fans through their struggles. When we’re done, we toss it and move on to the next work of art, using the phrase, “they fell off.” As the lights go off, artists are all on their own, left with nothing but the “one hit wonder” label.

N’veigh, real name Oreabetswe Mpho Dube, has been serving the hip hop community as a writer and emcee since The Anvils; more than 10 years ago. He has been releasing singles and features here and there for years. It is quite unusual for someone to be in the game for so long, yet they haven’t released an album. 

Having gone through the journey to self discovery, N’veigh has finally released Peanut Butter, his debut album. The most beautiful moment about this album was seeing the industry come together to celebrate him and Peanut Butter; the industry lifting one of its own. This 13-track project is not just a compilation of songs, this is someone's life. This is art!