It's so hard to be honest and pure, says Cassper on his upcoming album

Cassper Nyovest has described the making of his highly-anticipated album, Thuto as "one of the hardest things he's done since losing weight".

After what feels like forever the rapper announced late last week that his albumwill drop on May 7.

The rapper has been teasing eager fans with snippets of information about the album, which he has labelled his "best work yet".

While the album may be a "work of art" putting it together hasn't been without challenges.

• So you thought Riky was leaving Mabala Noise, huh? Well they say BS!After rapper Riky Rick pretty much lambasted the entire music and radio industry at the Metro FM Music Awards over the weekend, many of his fans assumed the worst and thought that he would be leaving Mabala Noise. It seems they were wrong. 

"Working on this album was the hardest thing I've ever had to do after losing weight because it is so hard to be honest and pure when you have a lot to lose. It's hard to express yourself when you have a brand to protect. It's hard to be innovative when you're paranoid," Cassper said.

The rapper added that he set the bar so high for himself so the pressure was to be expected.  "I've already set the bar so high for myself with the success of my first two albums that I am a hard act to follow. I guess pressure creates diamonds though because it has turned to be my best work yet. I can't wait to share it with you," he added.

• Dreams do come true! All the inside info on Black Coffee's studio session with Twitter fanUpcoming musician Yonela "Yoza" Mnyanda has described collaborating with internationally renowned musician DJ Black Coffee as a dream come true, after a random tweet made it all happen.  

The album cover which Cassper released this week was shot by renowned photographer Jonathan Mannion, who has worked with the likes of Jay Z, Dr. Dre, Kendrick Lamar and Nicki Minaj.