Sipho The Gift Releases Single “Dark Matter” Ahead of His Album
Long gone are the days where Sipho the Gift dreamt of becoming the voice of the voiceless. After receiving so much success from projects like Kintsugi and iNDiGO the time has come once again for Sipho to address fans and critics alike. A dream that seemed far-fetched growing up in Kimberly is now a reality.
Sipho is one of the most unique voices to come out of the South African hip-hop space. Meaningful lyrics and addressing complex issues through his music has always been a weapon in Sipho’s arsenal-going all the way back to his self-produced mixtape Coming of Age which he released in 2015.
Since then Sipho the gift has gone on to be featured on publications nationally and internationally building a cult-like fan base who follow his powerful word religiously. Few emcees can truly capture the imagination of the masses the way Sipho the gift does.
Following his release of Bloom in June last year, Sipho the gift is ready to release a new album on the 29th of October 2021 titled Legend of the underground king. The album will feature the likes of YoungstaCPT, Thato Saul, Maglera Doe Boy, Aifheli, and ASAPShembe. Production credits on the album go to Oshoku, MOJVKI, Papaheight, Mark Akol, and Sipho himself.
Before releasing legend of the underground king, Sipho has a few singles to release and check the temperature of the industry before he eventually drops in October. The first single off the album is Dark Matter featuring Maglera Doe Boy (engineered by Oshoku).
When speaking about the creation of Dark Matter Sipho had this to say: “I wanted to make a song that echoed the sentiments of Steve Biko's black consciousness movement for a newer generation. We are young and powerful kings and queens from the dust. For the most part, our identity is no longer defined by limitations set upon us by oppressive systems but it's set free and amplified by our imaginations.”
After Dark Matter, 3 more singles will be released before the full project drops. These singles are old soul, Nia long and growth.
Old soul was created from a place of frustration towards the rap game. Sipho the gift had this to say: When I look at the landscape of local mainstream hip hop I sometimes feel like no one is making soulful music that's layered with textured tapestries. That's what makes my soul vibrate and I feel like as an underground artist that's where I thrive
On Nia long, Sipho’s focus was collaboration. “I like blending genres and peppering different sonic textures across a project and this collaboration with Oshoku is a fan favourite.”
The last single before the full album comes out is growth. The song is all about celebration. “I wanted to create a song that detailed my journey as a lyricist and celebrates the people that have championed me at all times. I've grown not only as a man but as a king totally comfortable in my own lane.” He shares.
Maglera Doe Boy takes us to his hometown of Makazana to reflect on his past life, multicultural upbringing, and why community is such an important part of his enviable rise in the South African music industry.