The township narrative continues to unfold with the release of Loatinover Pounds’ music video for his song, “123 Block Myself”. The two-part track features Berry Jive and serves as the seventh track on his debut album “Pray 4 Pitori”. The project boasts features with fast-growing artists and prominent players alike, including Thato Saul, Qwellers, 25K, Mashbeatz, and many more. Notably, the album reached 2 million streams in just four days after its release. At its core, “123 Block Myself” explores the universal act of hiding- whether from societal and cultural pressures, personal demons, or the harsh realities of township existence. Loatinover Pounds skillfully uses the imagery of hide-and-seek to explore the complexities of dealing with faith, love, and ambition
What sets Loatinover Pounds apart is raw honesty and notable self-reflection. His verses grapple with spirituality, the turbulence of romance, and the discipline required to rise above one’s circumstances. The music video opens with children playing hide-and-seek, an image reminiscent of many childhoods and innocence, which is then juxtaposed by the image of Loatinover Pounds sitting on a wooden bench, clenching a bottle wrapped in a brown paper bag. He becomes an image of esteem and vice, a subtle commentary on the coping mechanisms prevalent in townships. Loatinover Pounds assumes the role of a societal storyteller with both grit and grace.
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The tension between South African artistry and township reality continues to rise in the hip-hop scene, the beauty also resting in the verses of those who are seemingly removed from “street life”. Loatinover Pounds still manages to reel in onlookers as he zooms into the intimate details of Soshanguve’s streets with the helping hand of the song’s melodic blends. When the song transitions into its second half, we see a contemplative side of Pounds. Murmurs of an alleged suicide intertwine with a somber, soulful feel in the song, heightening the mood shift. The pace is slower and underpins the broader themes of faith and mental health present in “Pray 4 Pitori”.
Part two of the song feels more boastful. Berry Jive enters with a head-bopping post-chorus that highlights the importance of bringing friends along in your winning streaks. Berry Jive’s cadence feels loose and infectious. Pounds and Berry Jive trade verses in a celebration of shared success, accompanied by the free spilling alcohol in the visuals. The two artists exchange the earlier grief for laughter and companionship.
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Loatinover Pounds continues to make waves through the hip-hop scene. His work is a testament to the power of cultural documentation, the quiet creativity within, external support, and unwavering belief. His artistic trajectory is one that is interesting and exciting to continue to witness.
Watch “123 Block Myself” here:
