Music
Steezy Stylish Live from the East Side (Review)
Ekse Live from the Eastside is a sonic landscape painting of a prolific and seasoned MC from the East Rand. LFE is a high definition story of the life of Hip-Hop and the hustle with all its good, bad and ugly. The album includes enough hidden nuggets to keep you sustained for a long time to come.
Steezy Stylish is a rapper, songwriter and music producer from Kwa-Thema in the Eastrand who prides himself in translating the sights and sounds of township life into melody and music laced with articulated lyricism.
The Intro stood out for me, I was immediately drawn in by an audio clip at the beginning which makes a scathingly honest criticism of the youth by Prof. PLO Lumumba…as I patiently waited to hear steezy’s take on the topic. The track goes into a lot of ills that stunt our growth as people from the township and the urgency to change that. It’s not a guideline or a blueprint but a pretty motivational track to make you aware of what’s really happening to us in the hood.
Op n Af
is the essence of the go getter attitude that built the Eastrand. It feels like a township December when everybody is back home from the cities while reflecting on the continuous hustle and getting into the mix of things by any means necessary. A suave gangster track that will teleport you back to the Tkzee Mambotjie days.
I’m ill
Begins with a clip from a Eugène Terre’Blanche interview where he discredits the worth of Johannesburg, this clip brings much into context when it comes to the question of land expropriation and where the real value lies. The track is reminiscent of the egotistical battle cat style of rap that birthed some of the illest rappers to ever come out the East. It’s really something for the head bobbers with a quart, a blunt and a backpack. I’m ill is definitely one for the streets and deserves a listen!
Another number
Is his latest single out, a feel good track jam packed with kasi nostalgia and the township party culture. It builds itself ‘pon the foundation of “no money, no fun” and if you don’t have it then you’re just another insignificant number. The track is all sorts of jiggy and will have you singing along while swaying from wall to wall. A definite December jam worthy of being play-listed on radio and of course in your car, your phone and your house.
This album feels like home, it displays how observant and skilled Steezy Stylish is, this can be observed in his lyrics and vibrant hooks straight from Kwaito’s past. At one point you are reminded of who you are and the power that’s in your hands to change your situation and of those around you and the next you are Op n Af in the streets cutting through any distraction that’s in your way to achieve your goals. There’s tons of Kwaito and township references in this album; from beats, flows and hooks that are bound to have you feeling like a cold beverage with your day ones, kicking back and sharing some street knowledge.
Live from the Eastside is definately one for the festive season. Get it here:
Alslo catch him on IG below: