There is something to be said about the value behind a conceptual body of work. From the introduction to the last album cut, each song is delicately placed to narrate a cluster of thoughts that sway in and out of the framework set by the album's respective theme. For Pretoria-based rapper, singer, songwriter, and producer Jade Nakai Magadla, affectionately known as ZRi, this couldn't ring more true with his latest offering, "Thank God For The Sun."
The founder of "ALT," a collaborative label of creatives that challenge the status quo in their different art forms, guides us through a sonic bedrock of Neo-Soul, alternative R&B, and Hip-Hop neatly packed into short and to-the-point tracks that capture our transient attention span. Between “Jungle,” "Dark Daze," "Gods Timing," "Money On My Mind," and "The Boy From The Sun," the precedence of the album and its narrative is established, with ZRi writing from a dark and ambitious place in order to overcome the challenges of breaking into the industry and leaving an indelible mark on his listeners.
At the heart of the conceptual songwriting of the album lies an extended metaphor: the sun as a representation of the ancestral realm and a source of divine light, expanding on elusive prosperity and sustenance. This concept is explored through a carefully curated list of collaborators, including Roho, The Big Hash, and Imani Basquiat, supported by the production talents of Stevieisfrench, Scarface Panda, Trigganasty, and Michael Tuohy, among others. The result is a semi-spiritual discourse that resonates with listeners' own quests for light at the end of the proverbial tunnel.
As the album progresses, the Neo-Soul and R&B sensibility progress and captivate a sultry emotional resonance that is equally jarring and Soothing. "On My Own" forays into homage to classic blues with a nostalgic sample and broody tension over a would-be relationship that is better left platonic. In his Baritone flow and relaxed bravado, lyrical maverick SaveHxpe resolves unaddressed feelings between himself and his woman friend, opting to keep the peace of the friendship and not complicating things any further than they already have, while 21 Oranges croons over the soulful production, conversing with her potential partner overthinking the process of professing her love.
Stream “On My Own” Here:
"Ghetto Angels," "Jah Bless," and "Soil" explore a more spiritual confrontation within ZRi's pursuit of light (or rays from the sun.) In "Jah Bless," he ponders, "I don't know why I/ try to suppress my/blessing and dreams for my equals to love me." At the same time, "Ghetto Angels" finds ZRI and his collaborators get in touch with the elements in pursuit of spiritual purity, asking for to"Water wash my pain away" he also pleads: "Pray you keep my sins away" and quips for divine intervention as noted with the quote "Watch the evil when I sleep at night/Need Modimo (God) in my fucking life."
"Another Ghetto Tale" finds ZRi reflecting on a time when he was almost robbed in central Johannesburg Central Business District over a Bikomaq production, while "Back To The Mud," produced by Trigganasty, finds ZRi reflecting on the times he was songwriting and making music with A-Reece's former crew 1000 Degreez and how his contemporaries success fuels him to shoot for the stars in his pursuit for global recognition. Ambition flows intensely into "How You Feel" with Earldrige over a Scarface Panda production, which finds the two Mcs exchange witty bars with compelling delivery.
Towards the album's end, ZRi shines over Scarface Panda and Trigganasty production Post ruminating on the pressures of being a leader of the new wave as noted in "Heavy Is The Head" and spiritual contemplation and confronting his vices in "Isaiah 40:31," "On God" and album Closer "Thank God For The Sun" delivers arguably the most exciting moments in the album with the former finding ZRi getting jiggy over a Scarface Panda production proving his creative worth in the alternative scene in Pretoria.
The album's cohesiveness is commendable and equally limiting for the listener as we find moments in the sonic journey of "Thank God For The Sun" that feel monotonous. ZRi has a penchant for having an overall style in the album that threatens its creative integrity; fortunately, his vocal diversity and penmanship come to the rescue and give listeners a reason to challenge their patience and listen attentively as opposed to pressing the skip button instead one may feel compelled to press repeat on cuts like "On God" if not repeat the whole album which has considerable replay value.
Watch “On God” Here:
Whether you identify as an indigo, a stoner, or a wanderer searching for your own light, "Thank God For The Sun" has a tune that will tickle your fancy. Thank God For The Sun is equally food for the soul as the sun is a source on which all living things depend, and I would highly recommend you indulge in the sonic journey that will heal you, challenge your perspective, make you dance, and give thanks for the blessings life offers you.
Stream “Thank God For The Sun” Here: https://paradise.fanlink.tv/THANK_GOD_FOR_SUN
Connect With ZRi
X (formerly Twitter): @Zrithewicked
Instagram: @Zrithewicked
Tik Tok: @Zrithewicked
YouTube: @ZRi
Comments