3. Distruction Boyz, ‘Gqom Is The Future’
Label: Distruction Boyz Records
Release date: October 6, 2017
Gqom Is The Future could be the best album of 2017 if it were as commercially successful as the two albums above it, but in terms of number of hits, ‘Gqom Is The Future’ is certainly the best album in 2017.
Some of the songs on the album redefined South African music. Shut Up and Groove, the first single on the album was so huge in 2016 that it cemented the position of Gqom, a music genre out of Durban as the most played in clubs. Madness, another cut out of Gqom Is The Future, represents one of the most downloaded songs on Fakaza.com in 2017 while Omunye, another single on Gqom Is The Future is currently the biggest song in South Africa. We expect that there is another hit or two on Gqom Is The Future.
2. Lady Zamar, ‘King Zamar’
Label: Universal
Release date: March 31, 2017
Lady Zamar shook the industry with impressive vocals on Prince Kaybee’s chart bursting single ‘Charlotte’, her position in the House game rose a bar or two higher. She released her debut single ‘Love Is Blind’ under Universal shortly after.
Love Is Blind is the first track on the album King Zamar, her debut offering. The album is refreshing for House music which has been on the back seat for a year or two following the growth of Hip Hop and Gqom in South Africa.
My Baby, the second single on the album is one of the most played songs on radio in 2017, an instant party starter and a frequent play at weddings.
King Zamar the album is so good and dominative that some veteran female house musicians like Bucie have struggled to make a come back. Lady Zamar is surely here to stay.
1. Shane Eagle, ‘Yellow’
Label: Eagle Entertainment
Released: August 31, 2017
Has to be said that nobody expected Shane Eagle’s debut album ‘Yellow’ to be as good as it was. The project sounds whole as the Johannesburg born rapper who rose to fame through The Hustle preached simplicity, family and relationships on the album that will soon go platinum.
What made the project ‘Yellow’ even great is what could have made it bad – lack of collaborations. Shane only worked with Ambitiouz Entertainment’s Kly on ‘Need Me’, one of the most stand out tracks on the album.
Let It Flow, the biggest song till date on ‘Yellow’ defines Shane Eagle’s strength. His easy to relate with lyrics sees him compared to J. Cole. Overall Shane Eagle has set a very standard for himself as an independent artiste and it may be tough to repeat the success of ‘Yellow’ as an album.
