REVIEW | Kabza De Small and Kwesta find special chemistry on Speak N Vrostaan

You are cruising in a souped-up car down a dusty, orange street. Pedestrian eyes fall on the vehicle and its passengers as it rolls by. The people outside are enjoying their summer and finding ways to fight the heat. You are unsure about the day's plans, but you feel like getting up to no good. 

That is the atmosphere that rapper Kwesta and producer Kabza De Small conjure up on their record Speak N Vrostaan, released on 2 December. Very few of the songs on this collaboration album are half-baked. Kabza's linear approach to song progression ensures every track has a fresh groove every few seconds. Kwesta's signature drawl pairs perfectly with Kabza's unique brand of progressive Kwaito. The two complement each other like peanut butter and jam. The extensive use of collaborations does not come between their chemistry but instead adds to it. Kabza De Small's rap alter ego, Papta Mancane, also regularly appears throughout the record, vocally accompanying Kwesta on five songs.

Kabza has had a successful year, following the popularity of KOA II Part 1 and being the most streamed South African artist on Spotify. Speak N Vrostaan feels like a victory lap for the Amapiano producer. Similarly, Kwesta has always been a veritable figure in the South African rap scene. He's won multiple awards and has several platinum records. So, a full-length LP collaboration between the two makes sense, but the final product far exceeds any expectations.

This is clear from the first song, Abu Dhabi, which features the Kwaito musician Professor. The song is barely four minutes long, but Kabza maintains a steady musical progression throughout it. He condenses the format used for his longer Amapiano tracks without sacrificing the hypnotising quality of the incremental build-up. Kwesta's raspy voice and laid-back flow is unmistakable, and Professor provides an addictive hook to cap off a stellar opener.

Huzet, the second track, boasts four collaborators, each adding their own flavour to the song. Huzet is an example of how the overall record effectively uses features, especially when they come in large numbers. It is never a case of "too many cooks spoil the broth", but rather every artist is used as an ingredient in a rich musical stew.

On Golokoqo, Kwesta maintains his unwavering cool amid the dense production. The song has a tinge of classic Kwaito mixed with Kabza's softer instrumental touch. There is something ethereal to Kabza's music, which might be attributed to his drawn-out synths and jazzy chord progressions.

Is'pantsula is also a stand-out track on a record filled with enjoyable songs. Its synth-laden riffs are what make this song so catchy and memorable. Kwesta bounces between languages and dialects, and listeners who can only understand the English lyrics will catch mere glimpses of what sounds like a vivid story. Luckily, the timbre of Kwesta's voice and the way he grooves with the beat is pleasurable to listen to on its own, even if you do not understand the language.

Umbono is where Kabza/Papta Mancane really spreads his wings as a rapper. Kabza shows that he can rival Kwesta's rapping if he wants to. He also reserves a special moment for himself in the song's beat. Past the three-minute mark, it seems like the song is about to end. But Kabza brings the beat back to its full strength and delivers an incredibly confident verse to close out the song.

The songs Emathandweni and One on One both have a distinct G-funk sound mixed with Kwaito elements, transporting the listener to a space between South Africa and California. These songs prove that Kabza De Small is a highly skilled and versatile producer who can take on a range of styles and make incredible songs with them. Switching up the style past the half-way point on the album ensures the record keeps momentum and remains an engaging experience for the listener.

However, the tracklist is not without its flaws. Umgani is the most noteworthy dip in the record. The song steps away from the usual dense production and is more minimalist than the other tracks. There is a skeleton of a great song here, but the final product is underdeveloped.

Overall, Speak N Vrostaan is a generous offering by the duo, one that rewards repeat listens. The record goes beyond a mere collection of songs by Kabza De Small and Kwesta. It is a well-thought-out and inspired project—a true achievement in the Kwaito and South African hip-hop genres.