South African Lekompo queen PLG Chanty assembles one of her biggest line-ups on “Poverty (Mu Litsheni)”, the centerpiece of the “20Chanty6” EP, which includes Makhadzi Entertainment, J-Smash, and TallexQ.
The title itself has a little of heft. “Mu Litsheni” means in the bush in Tshivenda – and this is the essence of the battle of rural poverty, and the hunger which drives ambition. So this isn’t just a basic hustle song. It relates to a particular Southern African experience of need and the will to rise above it. It’s the cultural specificity that makes the record hit distinct to your regular Lekompo drop.
Headlining moniker is Makhadzi Entertainment and her enthusiasm on this record is expectably spectacular. She’s always known how to take hold of a track without swallowing it and “Poverty” is no exception. But J-Smash and TallexQ can both hold their own with her. J-Smash delivers a rhythmic precision that pushes the tune forward, while TallexQ adds the soulful vocal timbre that saves the passion in the writing from getting buried under the production energy.
PLG Chanty is the lead voice and creative anchor that holds it all together. “Four performers on one track need a distinct identity at the center – and she gives that throughout without attempting to out-perform everybody around her.
Lekompo rhythm matrix that supports it all maintains it grounded in Northern cultural identity as the collaborative energy propels the record into wider streaming area. It’s that balance that makes “Poverty” the best tune of the entire EP.
Stream “Poverty (Mu Litsheni)” and let us know if this is PLG Chanty’s best record yet – drop your opinion below!
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