- The shape of amapiano to come.
- At the end of last year, Private School amapiano pioneer Kelvin Momo delivered a career-defining 21-track offering with Ivy League. With this one, instead of graduating from his smooth, soulful sound, or hedging his bets against the next wave of trap-inspired piano purveyors, he opts for a mix of all of the above—it's one of the best amapiano full-lengths to emerge from an unpredictable time for the genre. For a scene so young, there have already been several iterations of amapiano emerging South Africa, as well as attempts to recreate and co-opt the sound abroad. Momo has been present through every evolution, offering up works that celebrate the genre for what it was made to do: expressing South African tones and textures that reach back decades into the country's musical history of jazz, soul, kwaito and bacardi.
Featuring friends old and new, Ivy League earns top marks for its amapiano history lesson in the Sino Msolo-featuring "Madlamini." It's a dose of déjà vu for South Africa's township youngsters with its nursery rhyme vocal, now updated for an audience in their 30s. Mathematically precise keys and guitars define the instrumentals "Teka" and "Groove," while "Shari" is a display of linguistic agility. Best of all is the title track, the colourful and rich 16 minute work that explores amapiano's voyage through its instrumental roots adorned with marimbas and guitars; the progressive percussion above and beyond the required log drum; and a classic vocal refrain and the addition of sPitori (Pretoria slang) in what could be considered a precursory glance into the genre's future by "Nkao Tempela" creator Ch'cco—who is one of the most promising artists giving voice to the region's prized street culture.
Delivering a flawless "soft life" soundtrack, Kelvin Momo showcases his ability to dream up sophisticated instrumentals as a highly skilled pianist, as well as knack for choosing powerful guest vocals. No Momo project would be complete without the elegance of Babalwa M, who graces the project more than once. Showing off their always incredible chemistry, the duo invite vocalist Sekiwe (who snatched hearts on Lemon & Herb and Black Motion's "Uyaxolisa") to join them on the opening track, along with Aymos on "Inyembezi" (he voiced some of the highest streaming amapiano tracks to date, including "Emcimbini" and "Uzozisola." The melodic Murumba Pitch duo lead the moody and infectious "Asphuze," finally shutting down the album with Killer Punch and Mphow_69 on "More Momo." Working with his all-star cast, Momo delivers another treasure trove as he continues to push the bounds of what amapiano can become, as a master of his craft. Ivy League speaks with more eloquence, moves with more bravery and lays down several more defining moments for amapiano.
Tracklist01. Intro feat. Babalwa M & Sekiwe
02. Ivy League feat. Ch'cco, Yumbs, Ta Skipper & Tlholo
03. Song Cry feat. Mhaw Keys
04. Treasure feat. TribeSoul
05. Amukelani
06. Funa feat. TBO & JaySax
07. Dludlu feat. Steve, Mgiftos & Yumbs
08. Groove
09. Inyembezi feat. Babalwa M & Aymos
10. Joy feat. Sino Msolo & Dalsh
11. Teka
12. Heart & Soul
13. Kwaziyo feat. Ch'cco, Cooper SA & Babalwa M
14. As'phuze feat. Murumba Pitch
15. Let It Be feat. Mogomotsi Chosen
16. Mjolo feat. S.O.N. & Yumbs
17. Thomas feat. Cooper SA
18. Madlamini feat. Sino Msolo
19. Dopeness feat. Mick Man
20. Sharp feat. Ch'cco, Yumbs & TNK Musiq