illythehost

Content Producer. Writer. Promoter. Music Compiler. Hip-Hop Journalist.

BAL Accredited journalist.(2024, 2025 & 2026)
LIV Golf Accredited journalist. (2026)

[illythehost @illythehost]

Yo, I always respected rappers for working on an album and postponing release dates, but now that I’ve been in those shoes myself? The respect went platinum because wow… this process is no joke.

Finally, I can officially say the album is dropping on the 3rd of July 2026. I’m sure by now you’ve seen the media run we’ve been doing — interviews, blog placements, all of that. Yep, it’s really happening.

Firstly, huge shoutout to @soduhworldwide for believing in this vision from day one. He handled the production and brought these beats to life exactly how I imagined them. What’s crazy is that at first he probably didn’t even know who would end up featured on this album until I started revealing names later on. Appreciate you gang, we really did this.

To @JStyles — fam, somewhere around November I sent you the beat and the concept, and you didn’t even ask too many questions. You went straight to the booth and recorded. That became the very first joint on the album. We even shot a performance version at @Aokaymusic because you gave this project legs to stand on. Thank you bro, I appreciate you. And @neo for making sure we shot everything, taking us from Pretoria to Jozi and back? You don’t even know what you did for this project. Forever grateful.

@SeanPages , wooah maan… all the calls, the messages, me stressing you every second. Thank you for every piece of advice and every moment you opened your doors for us. You know how stressed I was about this album before it even dropped. Even welcoming us into your studios — I’ll never forget that night with @KidLyric, @Primo, @stoogie and @novl. Real moments.

@sontana_tshego and @Thato, I genuinely don’t know how to thank you enough. Especially wena Thato bro, your ear and management approach are elite. You helped shape so much around the Tshego record. And Tshego? Maan… besides already being a fan, thank you for coming through the way you did. You carried the lead single beautifully and people only started believing this album was real once they heard your name attached to it. Thank you king.

@khaya_doomAKU , thank you for answering my call and simply asking me about my story, my family, my life and everything I’ve experienced. You managed to tell a story nobody else could’ve told. I appreciate you deeply bro.

My ace @PdotO_SA hehehe, we really came a long way. Who would’ve thought being a fan during the “Dear Pops” and “I Tried” days would eventually lead to this? I still remember @C_liveDj playing your music for me at HipHopPowerN back in the day. Then in 2016 we did an interview while you were recording “Soaked In Bleach” — now fast forward to 2026 and we have a record together. Full circle. And not only that, my sis @TashaHendrixX is on the same song. Tasha, I know I gave you very little time but you still came through guns blazing. Love you sis.

@IamKhaeda !!!! Words honestly won’t be enough. I wake up every day singing the masterpiece you created for us. The way you took simple ideas and turned them into something so alive? Nah, thank you so much.

@novl___ , we both know there were a lot of songs I wanted from you that you denied me lmao. But real talk, what you gave us here is greatness — and it’s just the intro for God’s sake. @TheSxmmer, I thank the day I met @KidLyric because he made sure this record had direction, and y’all really matched Novl’s creativity perfectly. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

@ubigjess — how many verses did we go through? Hahaha. Stressing me that much! But you’re one of the realest. Funny enough, I think we first met while I was shooting HYPE Sessions in Rosebank and I asked you for an interview that never happened hahaha. Still, love and respect always.

@NyotaParker , I’ve always been a fan of your work. From the moment I interviewed you for HYPE and reviewed your music, I already knew we’d work together when the time was right. Turns out this was the right time. Thank you to you and your team for trusting me.

@21Oranges, hehe, did we even meet first or did we work first? All I know is @soduhworldwide and @oriiginelle introduced me to you, and from there we built something special. Now we’ve got a record together. Crazy.

@mazwai_leloo — damn. You were literally the last person to record on this album because we needed to finish something important. Hardest decision ever because we only had 24 hours to make sure everything came together. @Cmas_Music came through with your number and the rest is history. I’m beyond grateful and can’t wait for that coffee link-up one day haha.

@Oriiginelle, I thank our ancestors that our paths crossed. Hahaha, I know I can be difficult to work with sometimes, but maan, I appreciate and love you deeply. You have no idea.

@KKeed_ Ninja — every single time I call, you pull through. You didn’t even ask questions when I reached out, and till today you still haven’t even heard the final song lol. Every time we link up it’s nothing but respect, laughter and genuine love. Thank you for always supporting me and even sharing my work over the years.

@ZuluMecca !!!!! Hehehe, me and @soduhworldwide stressed over this record so many times, but thank you for holding us down. If I had quit making this album, this record would’ve haunted me forever. I’ve always been a fan — and I still am. Now we’re here making classics together.

@aj_fawdyseven ! Hahaha, I’ll never stop joking about you eating horse in Lesotho. But thank you for assembling the best talent from Lesotho and helping make that collaboration happen. That’s all your work. Even if you move back to India chief, at least you gave me my verse lol. Appreciate you bro.

My brother, my kinfolk, @jimmywizmusic — I don’t think people understand how far back we go. Back when I was still in Limpopo doing mixtapes and cyphers, you were always part of every important moment. Anything that changed my life in hip-hop somehow had Jimmy Wiz attached to it. And now we’re here, part of an album I truly believe the next generation will talk about. Love you brother.

@ApWordSmith, I think I first came across your music randomly while scrolling Facebook haha, then I reached out for that HYPE listicle and since then I’ve been tapped in. Respect king, thank you.

@ntatao__ , nigga I’m still waiting for you to pull up for an interview or performance hahaha. But I think that’s where this feature came from. You took your sweet time with it too — rappers will stress you! But love always bro. Also… till today I still don’t know what you were doing backstage at the G20 conference hahaha. Real one.

@Toby — did Soduh ever tell you the full story? Maan, y’all need to have a call because wow. But from me, thank you for being part of this. I’m not even a man of many words sometimes, but genuinely, thank you.

@ItsPriddyUgly aowa, if I start talking people will start knowing my age hahaha. But real talk, there’s never been a time you ignored my calls, whether it was for interviews or anything else. The guidance, the support, the energy around this joint — I appreciate you more than you know. I promise I’m going to treat this album like my baby and push it to the highest level possible.

@trophyrsa oh maan, where do I even begin? I don’t even know how to explain what you did for this project. Just know I appreciate you wholeheartedly. This is way bigger than music. Nna spoko, kea leboga mfanaka.

@raykaz7 ! Fuuuuuck! If I didn’t get you on this album I’m sure @ladykuda would’ve disowned me because she knows how much I talk about your work online hahaha. She’s the one who introduced me to your music. When people talk about the best in your country, your name comes up immediately. “Illy please don’t cut my verse” hahaha — nah, we kept it. Thank you king. This is bigger than music, we’re connecting countries with this one.

@kanekeid_ !!!!!!!!!!!! Hehe maan, I’m beyond excited for people to hear what we created together. Thank you for taking your time, going to the studio and doing what you do best. Wooah. Appreciate you bro.

@05studios — my driver, my brother, my family, my alcohol taker hahaha. Mfanaka, you really came through. The artwork? Damn bro. You’re one of the realest.

@OriginalJayJody , Modimo a be le wena ka mehla le matsatsi ka moka because I genuinely can’t remember a time you ever brushed me off. You’ve always been honest with me from day one. This is truly a full-circle moment because before anything else, I’m a fan first. And now we’ve got one in the bag together. Appreciate you deeply.

@Zephbeats, heheh… I’m not even going to say much. Thank you Pa. You are finally free now. One of the best to ever do it.

@oriigins — this one is for our people back home in Swaziland and for my family in Limpopo. To many more moments like this.

I hope I didn’t leave anyone out because I’ve been typing nonstop — but hey, that’s literally what I do for a living.

And yes, there are still so many joints we didn’t include because I was told we need to save some for the deluxe rollout. Trust me, we’ve got crazy records and verses sitting in the vault. So yes… this is me officially saying there will be a deluxe version. What do you mean I’m supposed to gatekeep all these verses forever? Hahaha. I’m not even going to mention names because then y’all will know every card under my sleeve.

GOOD RAPS OVER A CUP OF COFFEE — 3RD JULY 2026.

PRESAVE LINK:
https://t.co/Faq6Y6ImkC

[illythehost @illythehost]

A nearest Capital Inn and Gym.

[Thobile @Mametjathobilee]

When relocating to a new area, what is the first thing you look for?

[illythehost @illythehost]

@PalesaM_Photo_ If you took my offer that time, you wouldnt be worrying about such small things. 😭😭😭😭😭😭 See you there by Olivia

[Palesa The Photographer📸 @PalesaM_Photo_]

I need Milk and cookies to SHOCK me with their second headliner

[illythehost @illythehost]

@naaledi_ lmao, she atttend what she love, i do the same. fair. she went to Ne-Yo alone, i dont like Neryo

[illythehost @illythehost]

I want her to go to Fon City so Lenna i can go to Olivia Deane alone too😭😭😭😭😭. Just like how i wentb to see Mariah The Scientist alone.

[Chlöe @ChloeBailey]

singing the National Anthem at the @Lakers game 🏀

[illythehost @illythehost]

@LadyCharrr1 Let's gooo!!

[Madesse @LadyCharrr1]

WE ARE GOING TO SEE OLIVIA DEAN.🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️😭 I guess we’ve found a silver lining 🥹

[illythehost @illythehost]

Yes, even the school fees! smh banyela batho ba eiiii! I wanna organize em parents so we can strike! do white people toyi toyi vele?

[Mamello🧚🏽‍♀️ @MelloFelicia1]

December scholar transport must still be paid ?????😭😭😭

[illythehost @illythehost]

Just because you rap like you woke don't mean you dope!

[illythehost @illythehost]

How could the facts be faced when this shit is opinion-based? Anyone can enter the race with a mic and an interface

[illythehost @illythehost]

now the game is based off narratives and comparisons,
Anything could be true if you get enough people sharing it

[illythehost @illythehost]

You know you fight uphill battles while pushing the culture forward And the shit they neglect you for make the legends respect you more!!!!!!

[illythehost @illythehost]

For the love of Sport bru!

[illythehost @illythehost]

You'll watch her on my whatsapp statuses my love, im not a bad dude.

[Retlareng✨🏎️⛹🏽‍♀️⚽️ @naaledi_]

Yeah no Olivia dean my diye I’ll listen to you on Apple Music.

[illythehost @illythehost]

@jusgomo God fave children

[HYPE MAGAZINE @HypeMagazineSA]

South African visual artist @s_indica_te is continuing to explore the possibilities of painting through identity, emotion and African experience.

READ HERE: https://t.co/cTskk6L4uV

[HYPE MAGAZINE @HypeMagazineSA]

On Rotation for the week. And we have @illythehost sharing what's on his playlist!

1. @LoatinoverPound
2.
3.

Do you have these songs on rotation HYPE fam?

[illythehost @illythehost]

Nna I’m a cool dude 🤣🤣🤣 if you don’t show up to an interview, I’ll just review music!!!

Go check what’s on my rotation !!!!

[illythehost @illythehost]

Some Idiot did a great job here! dope visuals fam! s/O

[Mandisa Nduna, sometimes. @ZuluMecca]

OUT NOW!

Watch it HERE :

https://t.co/dfinE6oO7p

[illythehost @illythehost]

@jusgomo orekile efe weni?