Chris Theko
Mohale’s Hoek-born music producer and composer, Reitumetse Ratlali, better known as Vibeboy, launched his latest mixtape titled ‘FOR YOU AND HER’ on Saturday night at Tesfa Lounge in Maseru. The event drew an enthusiastic crowd of fans and music lovers eager to experience the new project.
The self-taught producer, who has steadily built a reputation in Lesotho’s music scene, described the mixtape as a dedication to the art form he loves. The 14-track collection features an impressive lineup of local talent, including T.U.R.K, Mothapo Oa Loti, Dave Stone, EMCHURCH, MACC Warlet, LU Srenk, HBK, Tono, Raymond Sea, Separola, Thandi amongst others.
The launch event was a celebration of creativity and collaboration, with the featured artists taking the stage to perform their contributions to the mixtape. The atmosphere was electric, as each performance showcased the unique styles and lyrical prowess of the musicians involved.
Vibeboy shared his vision for the mixtape, explaining that he carefully selected each artist to create a cohesive and impactful project.
“As a DJ and producer, I wanted to bring together the best voices and sounds that would resonate with listeners,” Vibeboy said. “Hip hop has faced some tough competition lately, and I wanted to give the genre’s fans something they could really sink their teeth into.”
The mixtape’s launch comes at a time when the local hip hop scene is striving to maintain its relevance in a rapidly changing music landscape. Vibeboy’s dedication to the genre is evident in the quality and diversity of the tracks on ‘FOR YOU AND HER,’ which is already generating buzz among listeners.
“It is unfortunate that here at home, hip hop is the one genre taken for granted a lot, so we are still trying to build it up hence this heavy heated line up of hip hop acts and I am grateful that all them were eager to jump on this project,” Vibeboy said.
“What is funny is that the kind of music I produce is the kind people generally listen to that is created by South African artistes. We are on the same wavelength with them, we just need our people to now give us a chance and rally behind such projects.”
Hip hop is really coming back to its glory days, when you look at the international standard starting with South Africa where for some time it seemed hip hop was dead because of the hype around Amapiano, now artists are putting out good music. They are working together which is something we need locally,” he added.
In an emotional tribute, Vibeboy expressed his gratitude to both his father and grandmother for making everything possible in his life and career. The mixtape’s opening track, ‘Ngiyabonga’, offers listeners an intimate glimpse into his relationship with them, setting the tone for a project steeped in personal significance.
Vibeboy’s journey in the music industry began around 2015 as a rapper, but he soon realized that his true calling was in music production. In 2016, he began honing his skills on a friend’s laptop using Fruity Loops software, eventually advancing to more sophisticated tools.
His hard work and dedication have culminated in the release of ‘FOR YOU AND HER,’ his second project following the 2021 mixtape ‘Dos and Don’ts.’
