Mashbeatz, Thato Saul and Maglera Doe Boy captured the cultural zeitgeist with the absolute banger that is Never Ride. I witnessed excited pandemonium occur when they first performed this live at StreetFest. The stage broke as dozens of contemporary hip-hop tastemakers rushed it to further hype this anthem to an already rabid crowd of hip-hop lovers. One could not go two ad-breaks during this year’s South African Music Awards telecast without seeing Spotify’s Aunty hum along to Maglera’s verse. Debates were fervent on who should have the honour of spitting on Mashbeatz’ exuberant production when an official remix was announced. This was hip-hop’s cultural song of the year and here’s why I love it. Mashbeatz’ production is a mood-boosting rush of energy that’s primed for celebration. Thato Saul meets that energy with one of his most provocative hooks brimming with braggadocios disrespect. Maglera’s flow on his verse is so infectious that you could mistake it for another chorus. This man floats as he seamlessly switches between four languages poetically painting a portrait of his developmental surroundings and the racketeering figures from that place. The barking adlibs continue to add spice to an already hype-inducing anthem that is unrelentingly boastful. It’s an anthem for the streets and the streets ran with it. Never Ride‘s a thrilling anthem that continues to show that South African hip-hop is in a blooming spring. It’s an ascendant moment that saw these contemporary hip-hop trailblazers triumph and I’ve been rooting for them to win.

Read more Mashbeatz related content here, Thato Saul here, Maglera Doe Boy here and Feziekk here.

Listen to Thato Saul’s All That Yazz feature here and Feziekk’s interview here.

Fun Facts: 1) Thato Saul & Maglera Doe Boy are tied for the most appearances of any rapper/singers on the 2022 Next Gen Greats list with Blxckie, each having 3 appearances.

Mashbeatz is tied for the producer with the most production credits on our 2022 list with 3 production credits.