A room full of media houses, music journalists, radio personalities, and culture commentators gathered for one reason only — to get an early taste of what illythehost and Soduh Beats have been cooking in the studio. And judging by the reactions in the room, Good Raps Over A Cup of Coffee | Cognac might already be one of the most talked-about upcoming hip-hop projects of 2026.
Instead of chasing influencers and social media hype, illythehost and Soduh Beats took a different route. The listening session was curated specifically for music commentators, journalists, podcasters, tastemakers, and radio personalities — people who genuinely live and breathe music culture. Familiar faces in attendance included Fratpacker from the Sobering Podcast, Lerato from YFM, Lady Kuda from ZiFM Stereo in Zimbabwe, Ego Xander from Cartel Radio and Magazine, Blvck Bvmbino from HYPE, culture commentators like Eatzz, alongside creatives and voices such as 05 Studios, Tabii Picasso, MarvinStraight, and several respected figures from the hip-hop commentary space.
The atmosphere matched the album’s title perfectly. Guests were welcomed into an intimate setting filled with soulful music, conversation, and premium cognac courtesy of Bumbu Rum, the official partner for the experience. From the moment attendees walked into the venue, the mood felt intentional — smooth sounds playing in the background, people exchanging opinions about hip-hop, and glasses raised. At the same time, the music echoed through the room. It wasn’t just a listening session; it felt like a celebration of culture and craftsmanship.
Adding a personal touch to the evening, illythehost stepped behind the DJ setup himself, guiding guests through the album track-by-track while sharing stories and moments behind the music. The reactions throughout the session were instant and genuine. Certain records left the room in shock, especially when unexpected features started playing through the speakers. At some point, attendees even began debating which song should become the lead single — something illythehost and Soduh Beats hinted they might actually consider before the album officially drops.
Good Raps Over A Cup of Coffee | Cognac marks the first official studio album from illythehost and Soduh Beats. After spending years curating culture through nine mixtapes for HipHopLiveSA and monthly HYPE Magazine compilations, illythehost is now stepping fully into album mode alongside one of the youngest and most exciting producers in South African hip-hop. The project blends jazz-inspired production, soulful textures, and sharp lyricism into a body of work designed for intentional listening. Whether played over a morning cup of coffee or a late-night cognac session, the album positions itself as mature, thoughtful rap music for listeners who appreciate depth and quality.
“This is just the beginning of greater projects,” says illythehost. “It took us six months to complete this masterpiece. We dropped a snippet around November just to test the waters, and the response was crazy. After that, I started reaching out to artists I respect for features, and everybody wanted to be part of it.”
Set for release in May 2026, the album rollout will continue with more exclusive listening experiences for media, collaborators, and selected guests. With premium partnerships, intentional curation, and a clear love for hip-hop culture, Good Raps Over A Cup of Coffee | Cognac is shaping up to be more than just an album release — it’s becoming a full cultural experience built around music, storytelling, and community.