…both artists distributed by XLR Publishers
BY KWANELE TSABEDZE
MBABANE – Eswatini artists continue to make waves among Southern Africa’s best.
The latest duo to hoist the country’s flag high through talent has been Hip-Hop artists Lution and Bluujay.
Lution and Bluujay’s latest studio albums were featured on the South African-based Hip Hop staple magazine, Hype. ‘The Autonomy’ by Lution, and ‘Childish Dreams’ by Bluujay were featured on the magazine as part of this month’s compilation of the best hip-hop music in Southern Africa right now.
Speaking on what it means to be featured on the compilation, Lution reminisced on how he used to zealously consume hip-hop through Hype magazine.
“Since high school I have been buying hype magazine, collecting and studying it. So, a lot of growth has happened through Hype magazine. This is a huge milestone for me personally, professionally, and as a rapper. I’m really grateful, and it still feels like a dream because I am yet to get my hands on the physical copy of the magazine. Just the knowledge of it and seeing it do the rounds online is an acknowledgement from Hip Hop in an African perspective, that is what this means for me,” said Lution.
Bluujay expressed similar sentiments of being grateful for the recognition of his work.
“Being featured on Hype magazine felt amazing. It is a moment in time because a lot of hip hop artists and people in the hip hop culture understand what Hype magazine is about. To me this is one of my major accomplishments as an artist because it shows me that I’m headed in the right direction,” said Bluujay.
“It means a lot to me because it puts a valid stamp on my efforts. Of course, I don’t do this for validation and I’ll still accept it gracefully because it just feels like a wink from God telling me to keep going,” added the rapper.
Both artists’ music was largely recorded under Rare Jam, and distributed for public consumption by XLR Publishers, which are both subsidiaries of XLR Media. Speaking as the CEO of XLR Media, Lution emphasised that the double feature of XLR – affiliated artists was a testament to how the teams involved in the producing and distribution of the music were united under one vision.
“First and foremost, I need to give a huge shout-out to Sihle Thwala the leader of XLR Publishers. He is doing a phenomenal job of connecting all of the things that need to be connected from a publishing perspective. So, publishing is a huge role, which includes press – so it is a huge shout-out to Thwala for that. Also, a huge applause to the team at Rare Jam as well, because when the team connects everything works as well,” added Lution.
Lution also congratulated the artists themselves (Bluujay and Lution himself), the producers, and the designers behind the different elements of the classic works of art.
