Chris Theko
This week we have decided to not only review a song but songs, we take a look at Lemeke Oa Mochini’s recent work, Moshemane Oa Ho li bona.
The album which is a fusion of Hip Hop, Afro Pop and Afro rap features 14 tracks and has a continuous-play runtime of 59 minutes. It was released on 26 September 2020.
Most of the songs here are notably rooted in deep Sesotho content and mainly focused on the rapper’s life experiences.
We start off with the intro featuring Thabo Marebole Mora M, a well-articulated poet that sings praises of Lemeke’s journey, brief and straight to the point. The next track is Ke Lauoe, on this tune he talks about where he has taken guidance from and the gifts that he has been equipped with by his elders and the ancestors.
Track three is titled Sekoti Mpate which was produced by the talented Sjizzle, this is a club banger with an emotional effect. Featuring Gee Flaggs on it, the song talks about how Basotho are always at loggerheads with each other. The government is filled with selfish leaders who don’t care about the youth and the police brutality wrecking havoc in the country.
Another notable track is Hlasela, one of the emotional tracks on the project where the rapper talks about the journey of life and its challenges. With a laid back flow it captures the listener’s attention throughout.
The title track is Moshemane Oa Ho libona which is simply a classic. Well put together from the production, mastering and the lyrical designs.
Most of the songs are quite emotionally connecting with strong messages but this one is the core of his experiences after the loss of his mother, sleeping on the streets and struggling to make ends meet. He goes on to give thanks to God for protecting and being with him throughout the ordeal.
Pelo Eaka is track eight, a tune about a failed love affair. A romantic, soulful trap song but sad story of two people in love but things don’t go well and that other one does not react well to the break up.
Track nine is Thota, vibe song with a twist of reggae giving it that Sesotho reggae flavour.
Mamela is another tune highly motivating, talks about patience and never giving up. It features Piigh,a trap soul artist who gave the song a feel.
We also took a listen to Ntlatseng featuring J’ mess Oa Mochini which is an easy chill song with a high lyrical content. It’s also an authentic sotho hop tune with J’ mess singing clan praises in the second verse of the song.
Nana Thola is another vibe song to listen to on an open road in the car. Lemeke’s vocals when he sings should be explored more considering how vocally gifted he is.
The last track is titled Tsaka which is a trap song that features Dizzy Hop, Gee Flaggs and the versatile Revelation. Sesotho rap nicely articulated overall, this is the only tune on the entire album with a large part in English and one cannot complain.
If you’ve been a fan of the likes of Papa Zee, Skebz D, and KommandaObbs this is an album for you. On top of that it’s an album for everyone, all moods and situations. Easily described as an Africa trap sound, the album is motivational and vibey throughout.