Lex LaFoy Releases Her 7th Body Of Work Titled The Lexikon 2.0 Project

Durban’s First Lady of Hip Hop, Lex LaFoy released her 7th recorded body of work titled The Lexikon 2.0 Project on Friday the 18th of October 2024.

Together with her lead producer, San Thurman, Lex LaFoy celebrates the release of music recorded over 10 years ago, caught in contractual issues, and later returned to her.

The album features Lia Butler, Zandra, iFani, Bongani Fassie, The Red Hillaz and her known bestie RubyGold - listeners can expect a combination of genres from Punk to RnB, Pop and Boombap -recored between 2012-2013.

“This body of work represents my lyrical median point, in the transformation from being Lexikon, to becoming Lex LaFoy”, the rapper says.

Lex LaFoy describes this 13 track album as a vital part of her journey, which she’s eager to finally share.

The completion of The Lexikon 2.0 Project is made possible with the support of the SAMRO Music Creation Support Fund (MCSF) 2023 for Heartistree Productions.

The Lexikon 2.0 Project was mixed and mastered by TeabagCC (Cultured Chaos) and Seemple (Dopesh*t Records).

Artwork photography by Umedia (Umsizi Media). Artwork make up by Noxie Williams (Make Up by Noxie). Lex’s custom gold regal attire on the artwork is created by Hopewell (Black Faces Apparel) and the album cover artwork final edits are done by Lex LaFoy.

Listen to The Lexikon 2.0 Project on all music streaming platforms now, and let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Hip Hop’s Finest Shine at the KZN Youth Festival

The KZN Youth Hip Hop Festival made a triumphant return this year with a sensational event. Held on Saturday, June 8th, at the Muni’s Hockey Club next to the Botanical Gardens in Durban, it was a celebration of the vibrant hip hop culture that pulses through the veins of KZN.

The crowd started trickling in slowly as the gates opened, with an electric atmosphere in the air. This year’s festival marked the revival of the My Connect program, designed to give emerging artists the chance to perform on real stages before live audiences. If you were there, you would have had the pleasure of witnessing some of the hottest hip hop acts, including Sazified, Ayonn September, Pretty Majola, Emdeeyou, and the man himself, Celestial Mic.

A standout moment was the performance by New Kids on the Block, Tony Dayimani and uSimamane. It was thrilling to see these rising stars command the stage, translating their streaming success into live energy. The crowd was so captivated by uSimamane’s hit "Cheque" that they demanded an encore, going wild for the song a second time.

The festival also attracted out-of-town love, with Maglera Doe Boy delivering a stellar performance in his signature stage suit. It was heartwarming to see the local Zulu crowd embrace his act with open arms. Heavy hitters like OK MalumKoolkat, Blxckie, and Sjava kept the party alive, with Lord Script closing the night with his electrifying hits.

While some social media debates questioned the festival's impact on the hip hop community, it's crucial to highlight the importance of such events. It’s easy to criticize but harder to create. There are few events of this caliber designed for and by the KZN audience. Fans and critics alike should appreciate this and recognize the festival's potential to build a thriving industry.

Kudos to Richie R Productions, his team, and DJ Lab, who worked tirelessly on the ground, despite looking a mix of happy, grumpy, and exhausted throughout the day. Their efforts paid off in a big way, delivering an unforgettable experience for all who attended.

w3stt Releases His Wavy Single "Move Your Body"

Born and bred in uMgababa, on the south coast of Durban, w3stt's musical journey began in late 2020, garnering local attention with his unique sound and style. Influenced by artists such as Kanye West, Lebo Mathosa, Lira, and Lil Wayne, w3stt (all lower caps, pronounced “west”) infuses his music with smooth melodies while maintaining a versatile approach to his craft.

w3stt - a creative, carving a niche path with dark ambient and neon indie sounds, sets to captivate audiences with his latest single Move Your Body. Reflecting on the inspiration behind the song, w3stt shares:

"It's a love letter to be honest, a way of showing affection to my special person, since I'm not really expressive like that".

Through its enticing and fiery rhythm, the song invites listeners to embark on an emotional rollercoaster, experiencing the depths of love, joy, and even fear.

As a creative spirit deeply passionate about his art, w3stt refuses to limit himself, embracing the role of a musical influencer with sincerity and dedication. He reflects,

"Whenever I make music, I always think about how it'll influence the next person as a listener".

Move Your Body is now available on all major streaming platforms. Press play below, and let us know your thoughts.

Written By Lex LaFoy

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