Multi-award winning HipHop Royalty “Slapdee” recently dropped his highly anticipated 7th Studio album “Mother Tongue” and the project is worth the hype. The 19 track album which was originally planned to be an EP is nothing but a full blend of excellence. The masterpiece which is themed on embracing the culture is well put with multiple features, making it his album with the most features yet.
The project sounds off with an “Intro” featuring the Legend Maureen Lilanda who lays forth the theme of the LP with some poetic spoken word. Slapdee then takes off to the club with an Afro Beat love tailored song called “Fire” and nobody is more deserving to deliver the hook than the amazing Daev (MHSRIP). Another club banger with the potential to take over Radio Charts is “Teti” which also has a love themed concept and a catchy hook by “Elisha Long”. On “Masagali”, King Dizzo re-unites with his longtime Buddy Tommy D as they deliver some Hustle gems. The track also features Dizmo whose wordplay makes him notable on this tough HipHop collabo.
Slapdee brings along Sampa the Great and Jay Rox on “Motto” to deliver a zed beat fused rap song. The rapper does some Introspection and reminiscing of how far he has come on “Talk My Spit” which features voices of his son “Zamani” who is also offered parental counsel at the end of the record. One of the Biggest standing ovation on “Mother Tongue” is when Slapdee goes bar for Bar with Tim (Thugga) on “Greatness.”
“If this was a battle, it would be Nasty C and A-reece/Nachaya Cypher na Tim, nazituma nikafe/ It’s already official, Kulibe Chanza Sikazwe….” Slapdee acknowledges the competition on the song.
Slapdee delivers tough Punchlines, Metaphors and wordplay with so much energy like a Hungry ‘Upcomer’ on songs like Kembo Ku Matero, Peaches and Cream, Bwafya, Mali, Masagali and Greatness. “Do Better” is a calm and emotional soundtrack which features his Cousin “Mag44” who reflects on their come up.
“Remember boi, walking to Muvi TV from Chilenje boi/ Both had no parents tenze Vizende Boi/ Pushing paka Sembe Isebenze boi…” raps Mag44.
Throughout the entire project, Slapdee navigates through Zed Beats, RnB, Afro Beats, Kwaito, HipHop/Rap, Trap/HipHop. His ability to rap in Multi-languages makes the whole project befitting the “Mother Tongue’ Title. He raps mainly in Tonga on tracks like Mali and Fire as he switches between English, Nyanja and Bemba throughout the album. The rapper delivers some feel good rhythm on a love song called “Duet (Tik Tok)” which features Elisha Long, Tiya Muzika and Koby and also pens some political lines on “Take It Back”. At the end of the album, Slapdee touches down with “Osawala” where he mixes his story telling prowess with some motivation lyrics.
“Mother Tongue” qualifies to be added to the books of Zambian classic albums. The production and quality is top notch and with Miles-Coming Along to save the day on nearly half the project. Slapdee also works with the likes of Jazzy Boy, Mag44, Mr. Stash, Mohsin Malik, T.H.O and Crown Beats. The album also has diverse features of both top notch artistes and New wave artistes. RnB artistes Elisha Long dominates the entire album with his amazing vocals.
After falling out with Black Na White II which was over-hyped, Slapdee is here to Solidify his Kingship title with “Mother Tongue“.
*************RATINGS***************
SUBSTANCE: 9.5/10
PRODUCTION: 9.6/10
ORIGINALITY: 8.0/10
TOTAL SCORE: 9.0/10
