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SAMA31: Best Hip Hop Album Nominees Announced

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The 31st Annual South African Music Awards (SAMA31) have dropped their nominations, and the Best Hip Hop Album category is loaded with fresh talent.

This year’s lineup shows just how far SA hip hop has evolved, shifting from the dominance of AKA, KO, Kwesta, Cassper Nyovest, and Nasty C to a new generation of voices.

Nominees:

  • Blxckie – See U Soon Delux: melodic, versatile, and consistent.
  • Tony Dayimane – Red October: Induction: raw and hard-hitting.
  • LOATINOVER POUNDS – Pray 4 Pitori: Pretoria street culture on full display.
  • Sizwe Alakine – Audio 2D; Dear Darkie: lyrical depth meets experimentation.
  • 25K – Loyal To The Plug: The Life & Times of Don Kilograms: authentic storytelling from the streets.

According to SAMA spokesperson Unati Gwija, the awards represent “the wisdom of age meeting the exuberance of youth” — and this category proves it.

November 2025 marks the moment: SAMA31 will go hybrid, mixing a live show with a digital broadcast so fans everywhere can tune in.

With no clear favorite, this category is wide open. Whether Blxckie’s consistency, 25K’s storytelling, or a breakout from Tony Dayimane or Loatinover Pounds — the next chapter of SA hip hop is here.

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Psyphr LXRD Drops ‘Confession Tapes’: Finally, An Artist Keeping It 100

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A New Voice Rises from the Silence

Listen up. We got a name you need to clock: Psyphr LXRD (that’s “Sy-Fer Lord,” if you’re asking). This cat ain’t tiptoeing in; he’s stepping into the spotlight with his debut project, ‘Confession Tapes’—and trust us, this is a whole sonic diary.

Forget the usual flex and floss. This ain’t just another trap-soul drop; it’s a testimony. Every kick, every verse, every whisper is dripping in vulnerability and raw power.

“Every track is a truth I couldn’t say out loud — now it’s on wax.” — Psyphr LXRD

That line alone tells you everything. He’s putting it all on the table.

The Sound: Dark Soul Meets Sharp Pen

What can you expect? Think melodic soul getting a gut-punch from sharp lyrical intensity. You’re gonna get those heavy, dark 808s, those haunting vocal layers, and stories ripped straight from the messy pages of life and healing.

Joints like “Tempted” and Midnight Confessions”

Every song is a confession—unfiltered, cinematic, and deeply human. Get ready for the truth.


The Tape: Confession Tapes Tracklist

  1. Intro – The Message (Welcome to Confession Tapes)
  2. Late Texts
  3. Tempted
  4. You Don’t Play Fair
  5. Body Language
  6. Too Honest (ft. PBBLS RAE)
  7. Fever Dreams
  8. Midnight Confessions
  9. Toxic Prayers
  10. Outro – The Call That Ended It

Presave Now – Don’t Get Left Behind!

💽 Debut Album: Confession Tapes 🎧 By: Psyphr LXRD (Sy-Fer Lord) 👉 Link Up Here: https://play.mw.fm/confession-tapes

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GUNNA TO HEADLINE MILK + COOKIES FESTIVAL’S RETURN TO SOUTH AFRICA

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Milk + Cookies, the Atlanta-based creative brand founded by four Morehouse College alumni, is bringing back Milk + Cookies Music Week South Africa in 2026 — and this time, Gunna is headlining!

After last year’s massive debut (headlined by Kaytranada) pulled in over 20,000 fans, the festival is back bigger than ever. The 21-day celebration will run from 24 December 2025 to 14 January 2026, taking over Cape Town and Johannesburg with music, art, and culture that connect Atlanta and South Africa like never before.


🎤 Gunna Live in SA

Multi-platinum rapper Gunna, known for hits like “Drip Too Hard” and “Push Up”, will headline two major shows:

  • Cape TownKenilworth Racecourse, Saturday 3 January 2026
  • JohannesburgNasrec Expo Centre, Saturday 10 January 2026

He’ll be joined by SA’s own heavyweights — Vigro Deep in Cape Town and DJ Kent in Joburg — blending hip-hop, amapiano, and house into one unforgettable sound. The lineup celebrates how South Africa’s music keeps influencing the world.


More Than Just Music

Since starting in 2009, Milk + Cookies has built a global name through events for artists like Kendrick Lamar and Summer Walker. Now, they’re using that experience to invest in South Africa’s creative scene — from writing camps and educational panels to merch pop-ups and community upliftment projects.

“We’re coming back because South Africa’s culture sets the pace for the world,” said Chase Freeman, Head of Marketing at Milk + Cookies. “Atlanta’s hustle and SA’s energy just click. Gunna, DJ Kent, and Vigro Deep are proof that this connection is powerful.”

Jhordan Gibbs, Director of Business Development, added: “We’re focused on building the next generation of South African creatives. It’s not just about the shows — it’s about creating opportunities and helping young artists grow.”


Tickets & Info

Tickets drop Friday, 10 October 2025 at 8:30 AM (SAST).

Follow @milkandcookiesfest on socials for lineup drops and more announcements in the coming weeks.

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Back to the City Festival 2025: Hip-Hop Takes Over Johannesburg!

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The Back to the City Festival returns in 2025 to take over Mary Fitzgerald Square, Johannesburg, for an unforgettable celebration of music, culture, and hip-hop. This year’s edition promises to be bigger, louder, and more iconic than ever — bringing together fans, artists, and creators from around the world.

🌍 A Milestone Moment for South African Hip-Hop

Marking another major chapter in South Africa’s hip-hop journey, the 2025 festival will feature Grammy-winning lyricist Lupe Fiasco as the international headliner. Alongside him, a powerhouse lineup of South Africa’s finest MCs, DJs, and cultural icons will light up the stage in a one-day explosion of beats, rhymes, and creativity.

Expect:

  • 🔥 Live performances across multiple stages
  • 🎨 Graffiti battles and live art walls
  • 🛹 Skate showcases
  • 🎤 Cyphers & freestyle sessions
  • 👕 Streetwear activations
  • 🎧 DJ sets & cultural installations

All this in celebration of 50 years of hip-hop — honoring the global legacy and its influence on South African youth culture.


🎟️ Event Details

📅 Date: Saturday, 11 October 2025
📍 Venue: Mary Fitzgerald Square, Newtown, Johannesburg
🕒 Time: From 12:00 PM
🎟️ Tickets: Available now via [TICKET LINK]

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