AKA’s Touch My Blood Is Here – Album Review
The Journey To Touch My Blood
The journey towards the release of AKA’s third solo studio album – Touch My Blood, is undoubtedly one of the most documented musical chronicles we’ve seen in contemporary South African Pop culture.
Having been an adventure for fans who waited patiently as their idol wetted their appetites with promises, tweets, snippets, and finally promotional singles – and then a release date reschedule – the whole movement ended with the epic Beyonce, a track in which AKA appears to invite the public inside his once “private” – despite being highly publicised – relationship with Bonang.
But before the polarising, quasi-diss track surfaced, the long walk to this release also came with an interactive element that saw his fans take turns in coming with up potential album artwork designs.
The whole campaign evolved into a movement showcasing hidden gems in our tightly contested creative industry. And of course, it was refreshing to see there’s a whole minefield of insane talent that’s not even making bank right now.
More refreshing, however, was the campaign as an organic marketing move to promote awareness of LEVEL‘s highly anticipated sibling. Mind you, several phases of the journey were met with social media frenzy vs backlash, most notably after Beyonce came out. Though, there was no music video in sight.
Months later, the rewards of AKA’s dynamically interactive run to the album release, which at some point also came with a postponement, were not up for debate. Both Beyonce and Fully In occupied the top 2 spots on SA iTunes, just a week before the album would hit Gold 24 hours after release.
Touch My Blood – The Final Album
AKA loves expressing himself. At 16 tracks, Touch My Blood gives him space to tell the multiple stories he wants to tell, and then weaves them sonically as one cohesive project documenting the multilayered man that he is. In a world where Kanye is reducing the ideal length to just 7 tracks, Touch My Blood will delight fans who’ve waited over three years for a new solo studio album.
The album assembles and blends fresh bangers with older singles, such as 2016’s The World Is Yours, as well as more recent numbers Star Signs and Sweet Fire. The mid-tempo Beyoncè, indeed a poetic rave, as well as Fully In debuted shortly ahead of the album to pique interests.
And although the two latter singles achieved moderate success compared to his previous multiple platinum, award-winning smashes from Levels and beyond, Touch My Blood as a complete experience is some stunning.
The autotune from previous works sustains the modus operandi, but everything reflects a rapper who boasts the confidence that only one of the biggest selling SA Hip-Hop artists of all time can have. He’s allowed himself to be vulnerable here, revealing an authentic portrait of a man loved by millions, but perhaps only known by few.
Fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe are in for a treat. Disney+ has announced that 1 February marks the arrival of Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” The blockbuster will be joining 16 other on the streaming platform.
ABOUT THE MOVIE
Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett), Shuri (Letitia Wright), M’Baku (Winston Duke), Okoye (Danai Gurira) and the Dora Milaje (including Florence Kasumba) fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T’Challa’s death.
As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together with the help of War Dog Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) and Everett Ross (Martin Freeman) and forge a new path for the kingdom of Wakanda. Introducing Tenoch Huerta Mejía as Namor, ruler of a hidden undersea nation, the film also stars Dominique Thorne, Michaela Coel, Mabel Cadena and Alex Livinalli.
“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” directed by Ryan Coogler and produced by Kevin Feige and Nate Moore, is now playing in theaters.
They are one of South Africa’s most revered music duos.
Their discography packs both blockbuster club bangers and lush delights for lovers of House with a transcendental African sonic flair. And the explosive fallout of Black Motion, which has been splashed across the internet long before reaching the courts, has shocked many.
Loved for their electrifying live performances and awe-inspiring chemistry, Mörda and Smol have always seemed like musical soulmates. But that relationship seems to have reached a bitter end.
In 2022, rumours of their reported split triggered a frenzy on the internet. Following the uproar, the group’s members Bongani Mohosana, who now goes as Mörda, and Smol (real name Roy Thabo Mabogwane), jointly calmed fears that they had fallen out.
It had been said the break would be temporary, as Mörda moved to focus on the release of his solo studio album.
Far from it, it now seems. The parties have escalated things to court.
According to reports, Black Motions have confirmed that they had pressed charges against Mörda for alleged housebreaking and theft.
A court order by the High Court in Gauteng posted on social media has ordered Morda to “restore possession of a recording studio apparatus” to the group by 13 January, at 5pm.
Black Motion shared snaps of the alleged damage caused by Morda – a broken door and stolen equipment.
Tick – Tock
— Black Motion (@black_motion) January 11, 2023
“Always enter like a kitten and leave like a lion. But NEVER enter like a lion and leave like a kitten. Always be humble." #TheRestIsHistory#RemainHumble pic.twitter.com/4R4yI0RGS0
It looks like we won’t be getting a new Black Motion album with Mörda anytime soon.
Reality Shows
Inside the Big Brother Titans Premiere!
South Africa and Nigeria unite under Biggie’s roof.
Sunday, 15 February 2023, marks the roaring arrival of BBTitans.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW.
The highly anticipated social experiment brings under Biggie’s roof housemates from both South Africa and Nigeria. And for 72 days, we will be splashed with the finest in South African and Nigerian swag, banter, romance and all the trappings of a fun-filled, dramatic and – we’d hope – an entertaining show.
A first of its kind, the social experiment assembles the most colourful personalities from the two nations to outwit, outplay and outsmart each other in a bid to get their hands on a massive bag, life-changing bag!
In addition to a number of lofty prizes that will likely be on the line throughout the season, the winner of the show will also be walking away, a whopping grand prize of US $100 000 (over R1,7 million) is up for grabs for the one who trounces his Housemates to charm audiences across the continent.
That’s not all; the amount of social capital, celebrity and opportunities for lucrative brand deals after the show, all form part of the career-launching lift-off that comes with being on the popular franchise.
Both Big Brother Mzansi host Lawrence Maleka and Big Brother Naija’s Ebuka Obi-Uchendu will co-host this debut season.
Fans of Big Brother Mzansi and Big Brother Naija in the diaspora are not left out as Showmax will stream the show in the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and about 50 other countries.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever to land on Disney+ in February
The Shocking Fallout of Black Motion
Inside the Big Brother Titans Premiere!
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