The South African duo on going beyond genres and achieving global appeal
A common phrase you read on timelines and in conversations with friends is "doing the work". From all walks of life, this simple saying has come to symbolise grit, determination and a single-minded approach to achieving your dreams. There is something to be said for buckling down and getting shit done. This underdog mentality - the contemporary expression of the hero's journey - is embodied by Stiff Pap.
This musical duo is made up of producer Jakinda and lyricist Ayema Problem. My first experience with Stiff Pap came at one of Cape Town's storied venues, The Waiting Room, a few years back. While the temporal specifics of the show are lost to me, I will never forget the visceral excitement of being genuinely impressed by their performance so early in their career. "We were both studying at UCT and happened to be staying in the same student residence,” the pair recall of their beginnings. “We heard each other's music and started hanging out as friends before we worked together on any music."
With their 2017 debut EP, Based on a Qho Story, the duo were labelled with the flattering but slightly stifling genre label of 'future kwaito'. Since then, their sound has grown to become far too fluid to be contained so simply. Fast forward to the present, and Stiff Pap are well on their way to fulfilling their destiny as torchbearers for a new generation of South African talent with global appeal worthy of your attention and praise.
Their recently released album, Tuff Time$, carries familiar elements while adding a mixture of sounds that combine to expand the duo's repertoire into something more engaging but just as energetic and earnest as their previous efforts. Aside from their obvious talent, the duo's complete lack of pretense has undoubtedly helped draw the attention and admiration of collaborators worldwide, namely New York rapper Wiki and, more recently, Noirwave mastermind Petite Noir. Wiki lends his distinctive vocals and knack for autobiographic verses to the album's title track: a groovy mediation on struggle and the making the best of your opportunities that feels at once melancholic and inspirational.
“On Tuff Time$, we tried showing the angst of being a young Black South African”
The song and, indeed, the album at large, follows a similar trajectory. The frustration borne out of the pandemic and the continued struggles of the vast majority of South Africans gives the project its identity. The album serves as a means to vent about and rebuke the systems of power that continue to stifle the progress of a promising nation. "We feel like everyone is pessimistic in this country, so on Tuff Time$, we tried showing the angst of being a young Black South African," they say. Both Wiki and Stiff Pap have amassed cult followings who appreciate their honest approach to the art form. Together, they work through their frustrations while taking the listener on a sonic journey. Their shared musical ethos makes for a cohesive collaboration. As if the track needed further star power, Petite Noir has gifted listeners with a deconstructed remix that will endear all three acts to their respective fanbases.
Stiff Pap has also recently landed a collaboration with much-beloved workwear label, Carhartt WIP. The t-shirt capsule is available exclusively through Cotch International, the London-based record label shining a light on globally-minded music and exposing new talent. Clearly, it’s a match made in heaven. “We got our homies at Caramel Palace to design the graphics and creatively direct the promotional video, which was really special because we love bringing our friends along with us as we reach new milestones.”
Although the journey is far from over, Stiff Pap has made dramatic strides in defining their story. With each passing release, they are destined to transcend their underdog status thanks to their razor-sharp productions, hard-hitting lyrics and the support of like-minded trailblazers. "The artists we've worked with represent who they are and where they come from to the fullest. They have a huge range of sounds that they explore, and they aren't boxed in one certain idea,” they reflect. “Most importantly, we work with artists who have a global appeal because 'post-kwaito' can become international. We have new music in the works. It's still early days, but it sounds good, so we're really excited for the future.”
This article was created in collaboration with Letterhead.