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One of Amapiano’s most prominent and skilled culture drivers is Mas Musiq, a producer, sound engineer, and DJ. Mas Musiq is a true representation of passion and hard work. Over the years, he has made remarkable strides in his career, boasting an impressive discography with fan favourites like “Zaka” and “Uzozisola”. Other popular testaments to his musical ear are his albums “Auti ’eSharp“, “NINI na NINI“, and his work on “Scorpion Kings” with Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa. Mas Musiq has an unquestionable skill for creating immersive sounds. His music blends heart-pounding bass, layered trumpets, head-bopping drums, and the melodies of his co-stars into an all-encompassing experience. Mas Musiq’s ability to weave cultural narratives into his sound while reviving familiar elements shines in his latest album ‘Lane Yam’.
The 18-track project features a variety of superstar acts from the likes of Nia Pearl to Musa Keys, Thuli P, DJ Maphorisa, Aymos, Eemoh, Mawhoo, Daliwonga and many more, over a soothing and yet soulful production in the Amapiano genre. “Lane Yam” opens with a mellow self-titled track that features the amazing Nia Pearl and ‘Tsonga Micheal Jackson’, Musa Keys as it sets a great tone through an easing storyline that motivates the next individual who is focused on building a solid career for themselves. This is then followed by “Uzobuya” which features new kids on the block ‘Acatears’ and ‘Lawd Weezy’ which extends the set message of track 1 over a splendid calm production making it a more emotional track as the extended message touches on missing a fellow loved one.
“Ubuhle Bakho” which features ‘Acatears’, ‘DJ Maphorisa’ and ‘Thuli P’ elongates the structure of the storyline with a more subtle and easy-listen hook over a mellifluous instrumental. As you listen to this masterpiece further, you begin to truly understand the artistry behind it as each contributor gave in their best when it came to writing and co-producing. This reflects in the production style as well as the strong and consistent sound that carries the album till the end. This is a core progression from “Nini Na Nini” to this uniquely crafted piece as it feels like a journey from the start till the last track “Groovy”. For a concluding track, it surely took us back to a more eased-up mood as the message behind it is inspired by self-belief and inner confidence. It is a song of ‘charisma’ and courage as one of the verses sings ‘…It’s true, I don’t even try, Just blessed, I don’t even try, out here living like, I am the best, better than the rest, put to the test…”.
“Lane Yam” is a mirroring project of Mas Musiq’s growth in the industry as a producer and an individual outside of the music space. His ability to express himself sonically through the usage of other vocalists is quite amazing as his work compliments their vocal prowess. This album cements his name as one of the greatest to ever do it as he not only gave us an outstanding project but then was able to unite a community of artists from various backgrounds to form one combination of various stories that speak to many on a deeper level. This album truly showcased his originality and commitment to his sound as he remained consistent across all tracks from sonic progressions to the expansion of the storyline.
“Lane Yam” ranks a positive 8/10 on our scales, proving to be a captivating album that continues the well-maintained legacy of the Amapiano genre created over the years through the longstanding high-quality standard. It touches on factors that many South African citizens can resonate with but also makes room for the evolution of the soft, mellow, and easing, Amapiano sound. “Lane Yam” is a core representation of Mas Musiq’s continuity of paving his own way and we cannot wait to see where it all leads.
Listen to “Lane Yam” by Mas Musiq below:
