@pH_rawXFinally Releases 'From Giyani With Love Too' Album

Today is just an amazing day for Hip-Hop in South Africa as many talents have released either projects or singles with groundbreaking sounds. It is no different with this drop as I hold it dearly to my heart. I am talking about 'From Giyani With Love Too' by PH Raw X. You have to take into consideration that it is his 3rd longform project in his career and also that it is his first drop of the year as he hasn't released any projects or singles in a while. I will be doing things different for this article specifically as I want you to understand the significance of each single on the project so that you can understand the message the project holds as a whole from my analysis.

1. N1 (FGWL INTRO):

The intro is so ear pulling to an extent I breakdown the meaning for it one more time even though I have written about it before. So what makes this single so special is that PH Raw X speaks on the importance of being rooted with your culture as there is no place like home. Home is a place of safety, warmth and happiness as well as peace and that is what the 'N1' represents for him as it is the only route to Limpopo and as every person from Limpopo will attest it is a long journey but worth it as it is very much cleansing to the mind, seeing your family and spending time with them. He further speaks on the people that never believed in him as he was building in Johannesburg as with time he began to feel lost within that but he never let the 'City mentality' pull him in. Hence he speaks about home with love as that is where his happiness lies and peace and no one can take that away from him.

2. JONI (PSA) [feat. Amunishin]

As everyone has heard about the infamous 'Jimmy' that comes to Jozi with hopes of finding his hopes and dreams in this big city filled with lights and promise. In this scene replace 'Jimmy' with 'Joni' as it is a term used in his home language in place for 'Jimmy'. The single simply taps into the power of the mind and how you should simply not adapt to the negative thinking of others as they can drag you down with them. Especially when you are doing something amazing and they tell you what you are doing is impossible and achievable. All he simply wants to tell you is that you can dream as much as you want to dream and definitely stay believing in your dreams as it is all possible. Block out everything else that does not align with your set vision for yourself.

3. NORTH SIDE (feat. Blackmyth & Simefree)

North Side brings a mellow side of the album as he speaks on where he is from 'Limpopo' as it is in the North of South Africa and what he is after this side. The single serves as a motivational single as he taps into the element of chasing your dreams and not letting the environment around you to consume you unless it is a positive environment but then irregardless you still have to focus on yourself as time is of the essence and it kind of is every person for themselves. I love the fact that he introduces us to new artists by the names of Blackmyth and Simefree as they tell their story. He embraces unity within the people of Limpopo as it is difficult to make it if you come from the struggles we come from.

4. L.I.M.P (feat. Ms Kulie)

This is my favourite single thus far as the beat will have you dancing from the comfort of your desk as I am sitting in front of desk and dancing as we speak so. Ms Kulie came through with the bars and the flow as she gave us a very easy to listen verse. In this single, PH Raw speaks on why he creates music essentially for 'Limpopo' as he wants to impact how music is consumed in Limpopo and he aims to help those that want to venture into music by simply assisting with free beats. In simpler terms, he chooses to represent Limpopo as no one else is doing it and he is also pushing his culture through rapping in his language.

5. NOT FRIENDS (FDN)

In this single, he raps about how the very same people he assisted in times of need turned their backs on him when he needed them the most. Although it hurts he took a different direction and decided to forgive and carry on with life although he won't be friends with them anymore and he wants nothing to do with them at all.

6. WHAT HAPPENED (feat. Ysthree)

In this single, he reflects on all the bad moments he has encountered as he lost many members along the way as well as those that doubted him to an extent where they told him he wouldn't get to where he wants to be and now look. He is exactly where he needs to be of which is further than where he pictured himself. He also touches on the respect for family and as well as our elders as that gets us far in life.

7. WOAH!

Woah! is about having confidence in yourself and your work as you are unique in everything you do. He further taps into if you have nothing good to say rather keep it to yourself as that type of opinion or perspective is of no value this side.

8. BOYSIIMEN & MELENIE SON (feat. Tommy Flo)

In this single, he taps into how when it is your season to shine, it is your season and no one can do anything about it. He also raps about how it is important to keep track of your growth in everything that you do as it is your responsibility to do everything the best way you know how with full accountability.

9. ISSUES (feat. Nino)

Issues is a love song more or less on how his significant other drives him crazy in a good way. He cannot fathom the amount of love she has for him just as he has for her and how she balances him in everything he does so she definitely is the one. He finds it out to express what's on his mind at times as it 'weighs on his mind' during the course of the day.

10. LOVE & WAR (I SUPPOSE)

Love & War is a single about an old relationship that came to an end as the significant other decided to leave for her own sanity. He then feels as if her heart is frozen as he was fully in love as he did too much for her but yet she never trusted him. This is one situation that numerous face as one happens to oversee the efforts of one in the relationship all due to their insecurities.

11. MARRY YOU (MAKE IT OFFICIAL)

This single taps into his excitement for him to get married to his significant other as he feels she is the one. She just has something that you cannot find in anyone else as she stands out because of that. It is more or less a joyful single with a touch of groovy hip-hop. I love how catchy the hook is as you listen to it with the hopes of getting more and more of what he is singing.

12. WHAT THEY WANT (feat. Mizo Phyll, Faith K & Canicee)

PH Raw takes us back to the era of Trumpets in Hip-Hop with this single as the catchy flow will have you hooked to each verse. The single speaks on constantly giving the people what they want as they can never get enough of it. In simpler terms, understanding the industry will forever a side of it that is inauthentic so you have to constantly understand how you can fight that and he does that in track 12.

13. GOJI (feat. Henny C)

In this single, he speaks on the people that kept it real with him throughout and learning to place yourself in the right settings as the right people will look out for you as needed.

14. CELEBRATION (feat. Batondy, Blackmyth & Tswyza)

This is an anthem to celebrate to as he celebrates all the accolades achieved and he aims to simply embrace the importance of celebrating yourself and also celebrating those around you as we are within a society that doesn't necessarily allow us to celebrate ourselves as they look down on certain achievements without understanding what it took to get that.

15. UNCODITIONAL LOVE (HALLELUJAH) [feat. Una Rams]

This single is simply about spreading love and staying rooted in your beliefs as he speaks in the power of prayer and how it sustained him to where he is today as if it wasn't for the unconditional love he received and the grace, he wouldn't be here. Una Rams' part drew me more to the single as he is accompanied by back up singers of which I believe is a choir and they gave light to the single more brightness. So no matter what you go through always go back to your roots and beliefs as it is important to be in tune with your beliefs so you can make it out of any difficult time.

16. NSATI (feat. Nadia Vocals) - Bonus Track

This is a very much unique single to close the project off with as the album weighs of Hip-Hop singles and now this single is more of a house/edm single as it gave me club vibes in Ibiza. The single is very much catchy as I found myself singing along and dancing off my seat as the beat is well composed from where the vocals are layered to where the beat drops.

Overall, I enjoyed this project as it is diverse within languages as you get to learn Tsonga, Venda and slight SePedi in the body of work through the various artists featured. It is a must add to your Library as you will enjoyed the artistry as well as messages he has for you. I spent over an hour and a half listening to the album as I gave some of my favourites a rewind just so that I could understand the singles more. I honestly loved, 'Goji', 'Unconditional Love', 'WOAH!' and 'Joni' as I resonate so much with the transpired messages.

You can stream the album below: