3201 by Mxshi Mo
Nkanyiso Shoba (a.k.a Mxshi Mo) is a producer / songwriter from Pietermaritzburg in South Africa, he is visually impaired with a rare disorder called RP (Retinitis Pigmentosa). His production references GQOM and afro-house but also touches on trap, RnB, tech house and much more. He has an incredible work-rate, having sent More Time over 100 demo tracks in the process of this debut EP.
3201, is named after the area code of his home-town. Mxshi explains via Whatsapp: “I've always wanted to represent Pietermaritzburg when it comes to electronic music and naming my EP 3201 is my way of paying homage. The dice on the artwork represents the illegal gambling on the streets of the city, the hustle and mostly the chance and gambles I've made along the way. ”
The EP starts off with the brooding, hypnotic tones of ‘Deda’ (meaning “Move” in Zulu). Featuring the smooth vocals of Sykes pitched against a Mxshi’s dark but hopeful instrumental, giving the feeling of a big SA house anthem.
‘Woza’ is a hard GQOM banger that feels like a 2050 sci-fi chase scene. Alarm synths, dangerous levels of sub bass, gunshot snare rolls and percussive chants keep the groove rolling - perfect for a dimly lit dancefloor. ‘Orphans’ references Sghubu, another Gqom sub-genre that is slightly closer to traditional SA house. Mxshi describes this sound as “steady township tech”. It is an undeniable groove that sounds so simple but impossible to replicate if you are not from SA. On ‘Eee Yeah’ Mxshi takes us down a more experimental path, he calls it “a battle between Gqom and Trap”. This chameleon of a track really showcases his skills as a producer. The last track on the EP ‘Slow Poison’ described by Mxshi as “Sghubu at Mid Tempo” slows his enchanting sounds down to 90bpm (almost melodic R&B) rounding off the 5 track package perfectly.
Early support from Jamz Supernova (who premiered the track on Radio 1 covering for Benji B) and Jubilee.
Tracklist
| 1. | Deda ft Sykes | 4:27 |
| 2. | Woza | 3:07 |
| 3. | Orphans | 4:38 |
| 4. | Eee Yeah | 4:23 |
| 5. | Slow Poison | 4:24 |
