Stogie T Discusses The 5-Year Process Behind ANOMY & His 13-Year Pursuit For Thandiswa Mazwai Collaboration. Stogie T, a prominent figure in South African hip-hop, has approached his art with a deliberate pace. In a revealing conversation on the L-Tido Podcast, the seasoned artist shared the lengthy and complex journey leading to his highly regarded album ANOMY, shedding light on the resilience required to realize a deeply personal artistic vision.
“By the way, this album took 5 years, bro, because I’m chasing features,” Stogie T disclosed to L-Tido during the podcast, highlighting the often overlooked challenges of producing top-tier collaborative hip-hop. His remarks reveal the extensive commitment involved in creating ANOMY, which contains 12 tracks that explore themes of identity, disillusionment, and the struggle to survive in a divided world. The album features contributions from artists such as FLVME, Maglera Doe Boy, A-Reece, Ricky Tyler, Maggz, and Nasty C, with each partnership forged through determination rather than ease.
Yet, no collaboration proved to be a longer endeavor than that of the title track. Stogie T admitted to pursuing the iconic singer and activist Thandiswa Mazwai for over 10 years. “I’ve been chasing Thandiswa Mazwai for 13 years,” he disclosed, eliciting a mix of respect and surprise. When the collaboration finally materialized, Mazwai delivered a powerful performance on “Anomy,” alongside Maglera Doe Boy, producing one of the album’s most impactful and heartfelt moments.
The artist also contemplated the numerous delays that punctuated the album’s development. “Every single hook you hear, I have to wait,” he remarked, addressing the realities of demanding schedules, creative synergy, and the discipline in maintaining artistic integrity. For Stogie T, these time lags were not obstacles but protective measures to ensure the album’s authenticity and thoughtful construction rather than a hurried release.
This intentionality is apparent throughout ANOMY, which connects various musical eras and cultures. Drawing inspiration from his earlier work with Tumi and the Volume, Stogie T broadens his musical landscape by collaborating with global artists like Senegalese kora player Ablaye Cissoko and Malian vocalist Fatoumata Diawara. The end result is a project that is both rooted in South African hip-hop and ambitiously expansive.
