The post Venom and Shishiliza Reveal Why Singing Rappers Fit Their Sound appeared first on SA Hip Hop Mag.
Venom and Shishiliza Reveal Why Singing Rappers Fit Their Sound. South African music duo Venom and Shishiliza have earned acclaim for projects that blend Amapiano grooves with heartfelt storytelling.
Known for emotionally charged, melody-driven tracks, the pair recently spoke candidly with SlikourOnLife about their creative approach, explaining why they favour melodic rappers and vocal-led collaborations over hard-hitting bars.
When asked directly, “You like these singing rappers, yeah?” Shishiliza gave a clear answer. “Yes, I think our music is very melody-driven, and I believe in songs with strong melodies,” he said. “Our music is a love song, so most of the time it reflects that.”
The insight highlights the duo’s signature sound, which emphasises singable hooks and emotional resonance. Their 2022 collaborative album Love Is Pain, released through Sony Music Entertainment Africa, showcased this style. Tracks such as the platinum-certified “Sondela,” featuring Yumbs, Raspy, Blxckie, the late Riky Rick, and Tshego, leaned heavily on melodic delivery and vocal layering to explore romance, heartbreak, and vulnerability.
Shishiliza added, “‘Love Is Pain I’ featured only one rapper throughout the album. This new project includes a few more voices, but it remains focused on melody.”
Their reference to Love Is Pain I reflects the careful curation of their debut, where selective features maintained a cohesive and atmospheric vibe. With excitement building around Love Is Pain II, hinted at by Shishiliza’s recent comments about its replay-worthy opener, the duo seems ready to expand their sonic palette while keeping melody at the heart of their work. The upcoming album will introduce additional voices but promises to preserve the emotional core that defines their music.
This emphasis on melodic rappers mirrors wider trends in South African urban music. Amapiano, Afro-pop, and hip-hop hybrids are increasingly favouring catchy, radio-ready sounds that prioritise feeling over complex lyricism. Artists like Blxckie and Focalistic, who appeared on the first album, often merge rapping with melody, making them natural collaborators for Venom and Shishiliza.
The post Venom and Shishiliza Reveal Why Singing Rappers Fit Their Sound appeared first on SA Hip Hop Mag.
The post Venom and Shishiliza Reveal Why Singing Rappers Fit Their Sound appeared first on SA Hip Hop Mag.
Venom and Shishiliza Reveal Why Singing Rappers Fit Their Sound. South African music duo Venom and Shishiliza have earned acclaim for projects that blend Amapiano grooves with heartfelt storytelling. Venom and Shishiliza Reveal Why Singing Rappers Fit Their Sound Known for emotionally charged, melody-driven tracks, the pair recently spoke candidly with SlikourOnLife about their creative …
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