The Top 40 projects of may 2024
May truly has been an entertaining month of project releases, ranging from all kinds of genres like Hip-Hop, Afro-Soul, Rock-Indie, and House music.
At VERVE, we felt it’d be interesting to rate what we believe were our top 40 bodies of work that came out of May this year.
Keep in mind, this is our opinion, and we fully understand that music is subjective, however, this is all for entertainment purposes and if you feel some type of way about our list, you’re more than welcome to state your cases over our socials and stir up a conversation.
Now that that’s all out the way, let’s jump right into it. Enjoy!
40. F&F - diehardpink (16 May 2024)
Starting off our list is the upcoming underground modern-era trap sensation, diehardpink, who dropped this impressive album, displaying why this genre of Hip-Hop is gaining so much popularity among the youth.
Heavy 808’s, raunchy vocal performances, and exciting beats made this project a breath of fresh air to listen to.
39. Ersatz - Ariaty (31 May 2024)
Talented Hip-Hop producer, Ariaty, recently dropped “Ersatz”, a three-track project that had the young composer create stunning beats enabling artists like DenLagos, jaykatana, Donearl, and others to shine, especially on tracks like “Brats” and “Tools”.
38. Heartstring Unrevealed - Moshkow (25 May 2024)
Pretorian based Afro-beats artist, Moshkow, had us in a trance while listening to this enchanting EP, which had the vocalist singing his love melodies over compelling african beats. A true love ballad.
37. The Brotherhood EP - Rashid Kay & AB Crazy (24 May 2024)
After a long history of multiple collaborations, Hip-Hop veterans, AB Crazy and Rashid Kay, finally released their long-awaited EP, having the two talents display why they’re still highly respected among the music community.
36. 4* - KAISLEVSKYLE (15 May 2024)
Another underground rapper on our list, KAISLEVSKYLE is continuing to prove why he should have more eyes aimed at him from the music world, using this project as an opportunity for new listeners to better understand how to comprehend his unique style of Hip-Hop.
35. Umqhumo Wethu - Omagoqa (17 May 2024)
The well-established Durban trio, known as Omagoqa, had Qgom and House music lovers losing their minds with this release, displaying captivating sounds that’ll surely be popping in the club scene throughout South Africa. Tracks like “2am in Berlin” and “iNumber Number” (alongside DBN Gogo) are perfect examples of what’s been missing in the Qgom scene.
34. Capsule - Kikky Badass (3 May 2024)
Kikky Badass, a name we should all familiarise ourselves with, dropped only a two-track EP, however, that was all we needed to understand why she’s considered a heavyweight in the Hip-Hop wave. Additionally, the features on this EP were fully loaded, having artists like Horrid The Messiah, XXC Legacy, Scumie, and many more contribute towards this EP.
33. Late On Arrival - Tembipowers (31 May 2024)
This was an interesting listening experience as we got to understand the mental state of Tembipowers and what his experience is really like. The track “Island Club” was a touching moment between Tembi and any listener, and this two-track project was top-notch.
32. VUKA - Ney (24 May 2024)
Ney is someone who was destined for the limelight, not only being a talented TV figure but also being impressive behind the studio. This was a jam-packed project having big hitters make an appearance from the likes of Sauwcy, Roiii, and Maglera Doe Boy all make impressive features on the album.
31. Stubborn - Jemapelle James (24 May 2024)
If you have yet to listen to this two-track release, prepare yourself. Both tracks had the talented songbird express his struggles with relationships while bringing an unexpected oomph about it. Jemapelle is one to keep an eye out for in the near future.
30. Cishe Nga Posta - ShaunMusiq & Ftears, Mystro, Scotts Maphuma (24 May 2024)
Ever since the duo released their banger “Bhebha” back in 2023, they’ve yet to disappoint and this release continues to prove just that, having them team up with Mystro and Scotts Maphuma to deliver us some incredible Amapiano tunes.
29. NEW DAWN - Sani Lockeheart & Tiffany Harvey (1 May 2024)
Having two talented singers on a project was the smartest move these two artists could’ve pulled off, displaying how easy it was for the two to bounce off of each other, crafting beautiful R&B love songs for us to relish.
28. Liberations: Uxolo - Nduduzo Makhathini (24 May 2024)
Multiple award-winning artist, Nduduzo Makhathini, graced jazz lovers with a three-track project displaying some of the most soothing instrumental performances we have heard in a long time. After listening to this project, we are convinced that jazz music is still alive and striving for more greatness.
27. A Crab With Sunglasses On - Yum Yuck (17 May 2024)
Alternative-Indie music hasn’t felt this good in so long, and that’s all thanks to Yum Yuck, Cape Town’s forefront runner when it comes to this category. Tracks like “Crossing Paths” and “City of Strangers” are stunning illustrations of the type of exposure the genre has been begging for in a long time. A grandeur body of work!
26. Altar Call - S’BO Gyre (10 May 2024)
S’BO is the unbridged identification of one being complete, using this project as his channel into expressing his individuality within the music spectrum. The catchy hooks, entertaining beat selection, and intuitive storytelling were everything we expected from an artist of such calibre.
25. From A God To A King - Kelly Khumalo (31 May 2024)
Hopefully we can still all appreciate Kelly Khumalo’s talent as a vocalist (bar all of her controversies). This project proves that she still undoubtedly can prove her reasoning for being upheld as one of the most pronounced South African singers the country has seen.
24. Akani - Sao Mattrix (3 May 2024)
We’re pretty confident in saying most of us mainstream listeners only got in tune with Soa Matrtix after he released “Mina Nawe” which dropped back in 2022. The brilliant producer gifted us with his latest project, showing us Amapiano lovers why he’s still dearly loved to this day with this album. The track “Iskhati” is the perfect description of what the unique producer can bring to the game, with his soft beats and catchy melodic hooks being able to get any fan off their seats and start dancing.
23. First Light - Lost//Youth (3 May 2024)
The definition of beauty is easily experienced through listening to this project, with the talented group showcasing some of the most heavenly musical performances we have heard in a long time. Every guitar strum or drum beat had us feeling affectionate about our emotions and that’s only thanks to this wonderful project.
22. CELESTIAL BLUES 2N - NOTBENJAMIN (31 May 2024)
It’s hard to describe exactly what kind of experience this was to listen to a project of such quality. We’re not sure about you all but we have been tapped into NOTBENJAMIN since way back, so to hear this album was mind-blowing. The talented producer brought back his sound that made him who he is today and it was so pleasing to hear. This album was strictly Electronic Trap/Hip-Hop and that’s all we requested from the talented composer.
21. RESET - RGRSNW (3 May 2024)
We’ll be completely honest; this was our first encounter with RGRSNW, and damn did he not disappoint! Everything about this five-track project was a bliss to listen to, especially with tracks like “LET IT BLEED” or “LOCATION” which were a true depiction of what his music means.
20. Berlin - Sakawa Boys (31 May 2024)
Surely Punk music in South Africa hasn’t been appreciated enough and it’s a damn shame, especially when one stumbles across a band like the Sakawa Boys. This three-track project gifted us some mesmerizing tunes that had us falling in love with the genre the instant we first tapped play on the project.
19. Guilt Free - Hanna (17 May 2024)
If you’re not a fan of Hanna, do us a favour and bugger off! This EP by the talented lyricist from the Mother City had us all vibing out to every track, with her bringing her vibrant energy on each song, enhancing her talent of crafting the most atmospheric tunes the country has been craving for in a long time.
18. Happy 2 Be Alive - Ricky Tyler (31 May 2024)
It’s honestly so pleasing to see the trajectory of Ricky Tyler’s career. The talented vocalist had been through a major hiatus, only dropping a couple of singles since his smash debut album, "Small World”, which released back in 2020. This project reminded us why we fell in love with Ricky in the first place. It’s good to see him being back where he belongs.
17. Nkanyiso - Mxshi Mo (31 May 2024)
If this album didn’t make you get off your seat, we’re sorry but that’s on you. From the get-go on the track “Uzobuya” (featuring Moonchild Sanelly) this album had us feeling ready for the weekend. This project is another example of why we need to keep the Qgom hype train going, and we have to give props to Mxshi Mo for his continuous efforts.
16. Concrete Funerals - Sextape (3 May 2024)
Punk is still alive, and this genre is clearly expressed through this prominent bands knack of providing the nation with their flawless ability to have listeners heads rock up and down. Tracks like “Blitzkrieg” had us raging along with the raucous guitar raging in the background. The raw emotion and style of this project had us instantly fall in love with everything this group had us prepared for.
15. The Chip Is StALE - Bylwansta (10 May 2024)
Listening to this album was pretty much the same as having a discussion with yourself, with Bylwansta using this opportunity to have the listener think and question everything about ourselves. This project was pretty much a therapy lesson of our own, and by the time the last track ended we were left feeling somewhat complete about our inner thoughts.
14. Uzuri - Malumz on Deckz (24 May 2024)
The award-winning duo producers graced Afro-House music lovers with this dynamic body of superb masterpieces. This project was filled with entertaining tunes, having lovely upbeat jams with a sprinkle of African tones that created some sort of spiritual ambience. It’s lowkey a shame this album released in Winter as we feel it would’ve been perfect for the Summer season.
13. Imvelaphi - Yanga Chief (31 May 2024)
After taking a long break from the music world, Yanga Chief finally returned to the scene, unveiling a version of Yanga we hadn’t really seen before, with the Queenstown rapper tapping more into his Kwaito background. This was a groovy album, especially with the tracks “Guluva” (alongside Kwesta) and “Gang Gang” (featuring Tshego AMG)
12. If It Were Colour - Eziah (17 May 2024)
We were honestly mind blown after experiencing this wonderful project. Eziah was able to craft a truly unique album, with each track using mesmerizing different elements that made us feel like we were walking through a lush green forest. What we loved the most was Eziah’s decision not to insert the feature names on the tracks, so hearing acts like K.Keed, SimulationRxps, or Flow Jones Jr on a joint had us feeling jovial.
11. Everything’s Blurred But You - EASY FREAK (10 May 2024)
This project from the talented duo had us falling in love with Pop jams all over again. Every track had us singing our lungs out along with the catchy hooks, and that’s pretty much the type of vibe you could expect from the two artists. This is a project we highly recommend if you have yet to check it out.
10. THANK GOD FOR THE SUN - ZRi (31 May 2024)
ZRi has had one hell of a year, continuing to feed us starving Hip-Hop heads with his remarkable music. This project felt like ZRi poured his whole heart and soul into it and we could really feel it through one listen of the album. The features were also lovely to hear, with acts like Roho, The Big Hash, and Michael Tuohy making cameo appearances on some joints.
9. From RUVA to El Roi - RUVA (11 May 2024)
What a way to debut an album of such excellence. This project was beautiful from start to finish, having the young songbird showcase her angelic vocal abilities over soft jazzy beats. The Soul genre has a new prospect to keep an eye out for and we can’t wait to hear what more the talented singer has up her sleeves.
8. Jewels - Dwson (31 May 2024)
Dwson’s domination in the Deep House scene isn’t slowing down anytime soon, especially with album releases of this high standard. This project was filled with impressive dance numbers that had us pumping up the volume to its max. Don’t be too surprised when you hear some of these jams playing in the clubs.
7. ROLE MODEL - Internet Girl (8 May 2024)
We’ve seen all kinds of genres try and make it big in Cape Town, however Garage-Rock was one we didn’t see succeeding. Internet Girl made us reverse those feelings, with this EP proving that if done right, it could come out perfectly, and this project from the young trio gave us a ton of hope for the future.
6. Cradle of the Fourthkind - Espacio Dios (17 May 2024)
After such a long wait, and little pre-releases leading up to the final release day, we finally received Dio's highly anticipated album, and damn was it worth the wait. The talented musician brought us outstanding love songs for us to savour and it’s easy to see why he’s highly appreciated within the modern SA music scene.
5. Sarang / 사랑 - Sio (10 May 2024)
Sio is a true poet, and her ability to tell stories through her music is a skill not many can hone. The 11-track album had us jamming along to her soft melodic performances over scintillating jazzy beats. If you’re a fan of Neo-Soul, Sio is your go-to.
4. 13POS - Focalistic (24 May 2024)
It should be no surprise to see Focalistic so high up on this list. Whatever the man touches turns to gold and this album is proof of that. Loud bumps, groovy beats, catchy choruses, and upbeat energy is everything we expected from the talented Amapiano star.
3. Shallow - Stogie T (24 May 2024)
Four years it took for Stogie to bestow us with a body of work! We wish we would’ve received something earlier, but beggars can’t be choosers. This six-track EP was lovely to listen to with the legendary lyricist grace us with some heavy bars over gorgeous beats. It’s safe to say Stogie still has the talent in him, even after so many years of being at the top of the game.
2. Sankofa - Thandiswa Mazwai (10 May 2024)
What a spiritual journey this album was. Thandiswa has the highest ability to put any listener in a trance with her captivating vocal performances. Being her fifth studio album, the Xhosa vocalist really showed the country why she’s so loved by not only the country, but the world abroad.
1. Synthetic Hearts Part II - Msaki & Tubatsi Mpho Moloi (24 May 2024)
After having major success with their first release of “Synthetic Hearts”, which released in 2023, the two talented vocalists teamed up once again to display some of the most heartwarming tracks the nation hadn’t felt in quite some time. A truly powerful project, the two crafted an amazing Afro-Soul album that had us feeling whole about ourselves.
