Content Producer. Writer. Promoter. Music Compiler. Hip-Hop Journalist. BAL Accredited journalist.(2024, 2025 & 2026) LIV Golf Accredited journalist. (2026)
Africa
Joined August 2015
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Yo, I always respected rappers for working on an album and postponing release dates, but now that I’ve been in those shoes myself? The respect went platinum because wow… this process is no joke.
Finally, I can officially say the album is dropping on the 3rd of July 2026. I’m sure by now you’ve seen the media run we’ve been doing — interviews, blog placements, all of that. Yep, it’s really happening.
Firstly, huge shoutout to @soduhworldwide for believing in this vision from day one. He handled the production and brought these beats to life exactly how I imagined them. What’s crazy is that at first he probably didn’t even know who would end up featured on this album until I started revealing names later on. Appreciate you gang, we really did this.
To @JStyles — fam, somewhere around November I sent you the beat and the concept, and you didn’t even ask too many questions. You went straight to the booth and recorded. That became the very first joint on the album. We even shot a performance version at @Aokaymusic because you gave this project legs to stand on. Thank you bro, I appreciate you. And @neo for making sure we shot everything, taking us from Pretoria to Jozi and back? You don’t even know what you did for this project. Forever grateful.
@SeanPages , wooah maan… all the calls, the messages, me stressing you every second. Thank you for every piece of advice and every moment you opened your doors for us. You know how stressed I was about this album before it even dropped. Even welcoming us into your studios — I’ll never forget that night with @KidLyric, @Primo, @stoogie and @novl. Real moments.
@sontana_tshego and @Thato, I genuinely don’t know how to thank you enough. Especially wena Thato bro, your ear and management approach are elite. You helped shape so much around the Tshego record. And Tshego? Maan… besides already being a fan, thank you for coming through the way you did. You carried the lead single beautifully and people only started believing this album was real once they heard your name attached to it. Thank you king.
@khaya_doomAKU , thank you for answering my call and simply asking me about my story, my family, my life and everything I’ve experienced. You managed to tell a story nobody else could’ve told. I appreciate you deeply bro.
My ace @PdotO_SA hehehe, we really came a long way. Who would’ve thought being a fan during the “Dear Pops” and “I Tried” days would eventually lead to this? I still remember @C_liveDj playing your music for me at HipHopPowerN back in the day. Then in 2016 we did an interview while you were recording “Soaked In Bleach” — now fast forward to 2026 and we have a record together. Full circle. And not only that, my sis @TashaHendrixX is on the same song. Tasha, I know I gave you very little time but you still came through guns blazing. Love you sis.
@IamKhaeda !!!! Words honestly won’t be enough. I wake up every day singing the masterpiece you created for us. The way you took simple ideas and turned them into something so alive? Nah, thank you so much.
@novl___ , we both know there were a lot of songs I wanted from you that you denied me lmao. But real talk, what you gave us here is greatness — and it’s just the intro for God’s sake. @TheSxmmer, I thank the day I met @KidLyric because he made sure this record had direction, and y’all really matched Novl’s creativity perfectly. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
@ubigjess — how many verses did we go through? Hahaha. Stressing me that much! But you’re one of the realest. Funny enough, I think we first met while I was shooting HYPE Sessions in Rosebank and I asked you for an interview that never happened hahaha. Still, love and respect always.
@NyotaParker , I’ve always been a fan of your work. From the moment I interviewed you for HYPE and reviewed your music, I already knew we’d work together when the time was right. Turns out this was the right time. Thank you to you and your team for trusting me.
@21Oranges, hehe, did we even meet first or did we work first? All I know is @soduhworldwide and @oriiginelle introduced me to you, and from there we built something special. Now we’ve got a record together. Crazy.
@mazwai_leloo — damn. You were literally the last person to record on this album because we needed to finish something important. Hardest decision ever because we only had 24 hours to make sure everything came together. @Cmas_Music came through with your number and the rest is history. I’m beyond grateful and can’t wait for that coffee link-up one day haha.
@Oriiginelle, I thank our ancestors that our paths crossed. Hahaha, I know I can be difficult to work with sometimes, but maan, I appreciate and love you deeply. You have no idea.
@KKeed_ Ninja — every single time I call, you pull through. You didn’t even ask questions when I reached out, and till today you still haven’t even heard the final song lol. Every time we link up it’s nothing but respect, laughter and genuine love. Thank you for always supporting me and even sharing my work over the years.
@ZuluMecca !!!!! Hehehe, me and @soduhworldwide stressed over this record so many times, but thank you for holding us down. If I had quit making this album, this record would’ve haunted me forever. I’ve always been a fan — and I still am. Now we’re here making classics together.
@aj_fawdyseven ! Hahaha, I’ll never stop joking about you eating horse in Lesotho. But thank you for assembling the best talent from Lesotho and helping make that collaboration happen. That’s all your work. Even if you move back to India chief, at least you gave me my verse lol. Appreciate you bro.
My brother, my kinfolk, @jimmywizmusic — I don’t think people understand how far back we go. Back when I was still in Limpopo doing mixtapes and cyphers, you were always part of every important moment. Anything that changed my life in hip-hop somehow had Jimmy Wiz attached to it. And now we’re here, part of an album I truly believe the next generation will talk about. Love you brother.
@ApWordSmith, I think I first came across your music randomly while scrolling Facebook haha, then I reached out for that HYPE listicle and since then I’ve been tapped in. Respect king, thank you.
@ntatao__ , nigga I’m still waiting for you to pull up for an interview or performance hahaha. But I think that’s where this feature came from. You took your sweet time with it too — rappers will stress you! But love always bro. Also… till today I still don’t know what you were doing backstage at the G20 conference hahaha. Real one.
@Toby — did Soduh ever tell you the full story? Maan, y’all need to have a call because wow. But from me, thank you for being part of this. I’m not even a man of many words sometimes, but genuinely, thank you.
@ItsPriddyUgly aowa, if I start talking people will start knowing my age hahaha. But real talk, there’s never been a time you ignored my calls, whether it was for interviews or anything else. The guidance, the support, the energy around this joint — I appreciate you more than you know. I promise I’m going to treat this album like my baby and push it to the highest level possible.
@trophyrsa oh maan, where do I even begin? I don’t even know how to explain what you did for this project. Just know I appreciate you wholeheartedly. This is way bigger than music. Nna spoko, kea leboga mfanaka.
@raykaz7 ! Fuuuuuck! If I didn’t get you on this album I’m sure @ladykuda would’ve disowned me because she knows how much I talk about your work online hahaha. She’s the one who introduced me to your music. When people talk about the best in your country, your name comes up immediately. “Illy please don’t cut my verse” hahaha — nah, we kept it. Thank you king. This is bigger than music, we’re connecting countries with this one.
@kanekeid_ !!!!!!!!!!!! Hehe maan, I’m beyond excited for people to hear what we created together. Thank you for taking your time, going to the studio and doing what you do best. Wooah. Appreciate you bro.
@05studios — my driver, my brother, my family, my alcohol taker hahaha. Mfanaka, you really came through. The artwork? Damn bro. You’re one of the realest.
@OriginalJayJody , Modimo a be le wena ka mehla le matsatsi ka moka because I genuinely can’t remember a time you ever brushed me off. You’ve always been honest with me from day one. This is truly a full-circle moment because before anything else, I’m a fan first. And now we’ve got one in the bag together. Appreciate you deeply.
@Zephbeats, heheh… I’m not even going to say much. Thank you Pa. You are finally free now. One of the best to ever do it.
@oriigins — this one is for our people back home in Swaziland and for my family in Limpopo. To many more moments like this.
I hope I didn’t leave anyone out because I’ve been typing nonstop — but hey, that’s literally what I do for a living.
And yes, there are still so many joints we didn’t include because I was told we need to save some for the deluxe rollout. Trust me, we’ve got crazy records and verses sitting in the vault. So yes… this is me officially saying there will be a deluxe version. What do you mean I’m supposed to gatekeep all these verses forever? Hahaha. I’m not even going to mention names because then y’all will know every card under my sleeve.
GOOD RAPS OVER A CUP OF COFFEE — 3RD JULY 2026.
PRESAVE LINK:
straus.to/l/illythehost-sodu…
illythehost retweeted
Can't argue with a man's list. October's barely done so best single of 2026 is still an open race, but Just Sam penning with intent puts him in it. Cool to see HeMustBeSwae at 2 too, that HeMustBe crew has HeMustBeFabulous and HeMustBeFrwsh on the same channel, so the Vaal bench is deep.
I can name everyone mo the picture yaz. Good People!
The team was recently at the Pernod Ricard offices hosted by the @Inverroche team. Lauren Penny took the team for an immersive masterclass, exploring Inverroche's heritage, Lorna Scott’s vision and its unique botanicals.
We’re thrilled to welcome Inverroche as a new client. ✨
08:05 (5 pas 8) - Just Sam
Best Single outta 2026 IMO! oh maan this bro can pen a song! I love how smart and intentional he is with the raps and things he raps about.
Currently, My fave rappers from Vaal!
1. Just Sam
2. HeMustBeSwae
3. Earl Farai
4. Trilly Kay
5. HeMustbeFab
illythehost retweeted
You just review hip hop albums, interview rappers and drag Tswana huns. You don't bother anybody
He will be performing at @illythehostxp
buy a tick here quicket.co.za/events/402623-…
illythehost retweeted
If @MagleraDoeBoy can use his music to speak about socioeconomic struggles, street slang and the realities of township living, taking those same stories to television feels like a natural next step.
Here's the trailer for "MZANSI" starring @TheReal_25K @asonleaux @YOUNGSTUNNA_ZA
I was angry but We'll find out soon as he share a statement.
