13th Floor New Song Of The Day: Phodiso – War

From Botswana to Auckland, here’s Phodiso and he is declaring War.

With a thumping beat and a powerful message we bring you Phodiso. Here’s the record company blurb with more info:

‘War’ is the second single from Act II, the forthcoming EP from Botswana-born, Auckland-based hip hop artist Phodiso. Following up the release of ‘Talk Too Much‘, the powerful hip hop track with an Afrikan flavour is an unapologetic celebration of how far the artist has come and his commitment to continuing to improve his craft.

‘War’ is a collaboration with Afro-percussionist Alfdaniels Mabingo (Steel’n Beats) and producer Abraham Kunin (Teeks, Homebrew, the Dalai Lama). Holding down the rhythm together, Phodiso plays a monitor lizard skin drum alongside Mabingo on djembe. Mabingo can also be heard speaking Luganda, a Ugandan language, at the start of the song.

The release is accompanied by a music video directed and edited by Connor Pritchard.

Born in Gaborone, Botswana, Phodiso began learning Tswana percussion styles through community song and dance ceremonies. His thought-provoking lyricism and experimental artistry scratches the itch of contemporary pop, while honoring his Southern Afrikan hip hop and Afro jazz influences.

Since settling in Aotearoa in 2010, the multi-disciplinary, multilingual artist has developed his creative approach and shared his gift of language and rhythm in a variety of ways, including as a vocalist and percussionist (New Telepathics, Pan Africana, Black Sunday), writing and performing poetry, and the release of his debut EP Act I. The lead single from that record, ‘Running Lines’ put Phodiso on the map, dominating student radio charts for weeks following its release.

Due for release on 28 May, Act II sees him collaborate with some of the most exciting producers in Aotearoa, including Mueslibeats (BLKCITY, Jodang), Carawei Gao (Venom Dolls, Milky Avenue Studio) and Zaidoon Nasir a.k.a WHO SHOT SCOTT.

It’s not often that an artist surfaces with a truly unique sound and story. Phodiso is here to present a new narrative.