Skatle continues to remind us why he’s one of the country’s most exciting voices with More of Me Vol. 1. The 12-track project takes listeners on a sonic journey that celebrates the richness, diversity and beauty of South African music.
Duma kaMthombeni sets the tone with a fiery intro, welcoming us into what feels like a carefully curated body of work while giving flowers to The Qwellers for producing some of the finest talent in the game. If you understand IsiZulu, you’ll appreciate every moment of that introduction.
Slim Dumpie wastes no time on the second track, alongside Southside Blocboy, delivering memorable bars like, “These niggas bambhora ba flexa ka Zero,” making it clear that nobody came to play. From the jump, Skatle understood the assignment. The opening three tracks are crucial on any project, and he absolutely nails them.
The mixtape features 19 artists in total, and impressively, not a single feature feels unnecessary. Everyone contributes something memorable. K-Rev proves once again why he’s one of the next names to watch on track three, joined by Khaya DoomAKU and Yungboyvegeta.
“FIXTURE” slows things down beautifully. It’s a mellow record built on smooth production, laid-back bars and musical chemistry rather than hard-hitting punchlines. It feels like one of those songs that will quietly become a fan favourite over time.
Giftinperson and Frankness Everyday transport listeners straight to Pretoria on “LANDER.” The record carries subtle Trapcardi-inspired energy while showing Skatle’s versatility when it comes to production choices. It’s smooth, stylish and effortlessly cool.
“DITARA” brings the spirit of the Vaal with a touch of Lesotho woven into its sound. Tracks seven and eight are a true representation of The Qwellers’ chemistry, while tracks eight and twelve see Skatle bringing along his day-one collaborators, giving the project an authentic sense of family and loyalty.
“EX YAMI” is another standout. It’s heartfelt, melodic and has all the ingredients of a singalong anthem for anyone who’s ever considered spinning the block with an ex. LuMai also deserves special recognition for delivering one of the strongest vocal performances on the entire project. She’s definitely an artist worth keeping an eye on.
One of the biggest surprises on the mixtape comes from Yungboyvegeta on “ZAKA FELA.” Hearing him lean into backpack rap and showcase a more lyrical side completely caught me off guard—in the best way possible. It’s one of those moments that reminds you just how much range these artists really have.
If I had to score More of Me Vol. 1 today, I’d say it’s still a little too early to give a definitive rating. This is the kind of project that gets better with every listen. For now, though, I’m comfortably sitting at an 8/10.
Go stream More of Me Vol. 1.