DJ Sliqe Discusses the Collaboration Behind ‘Ntshepe’ Featuring Loatinover Pounds, Sjava & Cassper Nyovest. DJ Sliqe has shared insights into the unexpected journey of creating “Ntshepe”, a track that unites Loatinover Pounds, Sjava, and Cassper Nyovest, representing three different generations of the South African hip-hop scene.
DJ Sliqe Discusses the Collaboration Behind ‘Ntshepe’ Featuring Loatinover Pounds, Sjava & Cassper Nyovest“Crazy story. So when we were doing the Rash-Awa album, one of the lock-in sessions, one of our core artists was Pounds. And we created the tempo there, and then we just sat with it,” DJ Sliqe said while discussing how the track took shape.
The producer revealed that the track took form during a creative session for the Rash-Awa album, with Loatinover Pounds playing a key role in its development. Initially, the song lacked a second verse, leaving the team to consider various artists for that part.
Ultimately, the selection focused on two prominent figures in the industry.
Sliqe disclosed that Sjava and Cassper Nyovest were both contacted for the additional verses around the same timeline and surprisingly, both artists delivered their segments in quick succession.
“It was a game of which one comes first. The verse is from Cassper and Sjava. So they both came at the same time. We just couldn’t leave one out. They were both fire,” he explained.
Instead of making a choice, the team included both verses, creating “Ntshepe” as a convergence of various timelines in South African hip-hop.
For Sliqe, this fusion across generations stands out as one of the song’s significant aspects. With Loatinover Pounds representing a fresher wave, Sjava bringing his own time period, and Cassper contributing another facet of hip-hop history, the collaboration transcended a mere musical partnership.
“It’s like three generations of hip-hop being explained in one song, held by a young Pounds,” Sliqe commented.
The inclusion of Sjava’s verse was unexpected for the team. When queried about Sjava’s choice to rap in Spitori, Sliqe acknowledged he was unaware prior to receiving the track.
“I have no idea. He didn’t tell me. We were just as shocked when we received it,” he admitted.
The producer expressed his admiration for the final verses, recalling stepping away from the club to listen to the track in his vehicle. What began as a brief listen extended as he and his companions replayed the track multiple times.
“We bumped for, like, maybe 15, 20 minutes. We even forgot that we’re at the club,” Sliqe recounted.
Cassper’s verse added further depth to the song, with Sliqe referencing the rapper’s opening lines as a remarkable highlight.
The victory of “Ntshepe” coincided with another fruitful period for Sliqe, who discussed having consecutive hit records. Rather than claiming all credit, he attributed the success to diligence, strategic planning, and faith.
“God is good. I’ll start there. Work hard, guys,” Sliqe remarked.
He emphasized the necessity of effort, careful planning, and heeding what he referred to as the inner guidance of faith.
For Sliqe, the ultimate success extends beyond commercial achievements. He views music as a bridge to unite South Africans from diverse cultural backgrounds.
“The love is showing that there’s love for hip-hop. We’re trying to bridge all the cultures within South Africa, bring everyone together through music, because that’s what music should do, right? Bring everyone together,” he stated.
With the combined efforts of Loatinover Pounds, Sjava, and Cassper Nyovest on “Ntshepe,” the track exemplifies the realization of that vision, connecting various generations and cultural perspectives through a shared hip-hop experience.
