‘Signing with an international company has motivated me’: Lolli Native is back

Lolli Native has released his second studio album, Amandla, under the international artist management company 38 Talent.

Amandla, which means power in Xhosa, mixes spaza rap with heavyweight features.

“Signing with the international music company has motivated me to do more, to go hard. The mindset is an international one. It’s about the whole package and upping the quality of the music. With the lyrics we find a good balance, using Xhosa [and English] so we can reach more people globally. It is shaping me in a way that I feel like anything is possible,” Lolli Native told TshisaLIVE.

“Each feature was specially chosen and carries deep sentimental value. I respect everyone who was on a feature. Big shout out to them for pulling through for me.”

The original title of the album was Amanda as a dedication to his sister.

“I realised my biggest blessing is that I have so many people around me who believe in me, who see my vision and assist it in becoming a reality. That is why I changed it from Amanda to Amandla.

“Amandla represents the power of community, the power we bring when we work together, the power we bring when we uplift each other. I was in a dark place when I was working on the project, but the power of the people around me reminded me of who I am and the power I possess as Lolli Native, the artist.”

A year ago the artist announced his departure from Emtee Records, and while social media users speculated he was not on good terms with Emtee, he has been adamant they are on good terms.

“We are back in the studio together. We are back making music together. People thought there was conflict between us and that we would never make music together again. Our collaboration, since the days of Brand New Day, everyone loves that, and I see that in the numbers and the support.”