ABAFANA BASE GOLI, Vol. 1

Abafana Basegoli (Boys from Gauteng/Johannesburg) is a New-Age Kwaito project by rapper Richi Rich from Alexandra Township and Soweto-based music producer xSipping. “Guluva” from xSipping’s debut album “Umthala” was the second song the two worked on, after seeing the good response it got, they decided to work on a collaborative EP. While working on this project Richi Rich dropped “North Gomora” and it featured a single called “All I Know” produced by xSipping, this solidified the sound even more. The two were very confident about the direction they wanted to take. Growing up in an era where Kwaito was a domineering genre, Richi Rich and xSipping would be influenced to create a project that was reflective of that time in their lives. It also made sense to name the project “Abafana Basegoli” as both artists were born and bred in the city of Johannesburg. This project was inspired by the classic Yizo Yizo soundtrack album and this is evident in songs like “Khuluma” which was released as the first single. This project is about two artists on a musical journey, who still have to deal with the obstacles of the city: crime, gatekeepers, lifestyle, love, and confrontations. The EP is entirely produced by xSipping except for “Senzeni” which was a co-production with music producer NorthTheJap. It features Suup Zulu and Boyzn Buck’s Bhubesi and uSanele. This New-Age Kwaito project has elements of alternative rap and dance. The artists wanted to create a work of art that will be relatable to city dwellers and bring back some of the music they grew up listening to with a “Jozi” twist and reflective of their music era now