Episodes

PatricKxxLee has returned with his new album titled: Room 37. This comes a couple of years after his exceptional album titled: Eternity. With Room 37, PatricKxxLee takes us on an internal odyssey, replete with introspection and empathy. The album features the likes of Sjava, burningforestboy, Kayla Nkwe, Nash, KashCPT, Blxckie and more! Visit TBKS website · Follow TBKS on Facebook · Follow TBKS on Twitter · Follow TBKS on Instagram

The Best Kept Secret Podcast prides itself with always shining a spotlight on new, talented artists who are still in the early stages of their careers. On this episode, we turn our focus to one of the most exciting hip-hop artists making waves right now, Usimamane. With a brand new project titled "19th" Usimamane offers more than just your traditional trap sound. The bars are on full display, and so are the melodic raps and refreshing flows. He finds ways to showcase his own unique style and use...

One of the most gifted and promising up and coming artists in the South African (Alt)R&B scene is back with what is arguably one of the best R&B projects for 2023. Fentse. is no stranger to the local underground scene but her newest project is that of world-stage level. Her project is called “Therapy Is Cancelled” and it explores a variety of topics and themes related to love, heartbreak, self-introspection and growth. It is one of our favourite projects we’ve covered on the show this year and i...

Several singles and many features later, BELO SALO finally released his much anticipated album titled: “CHOZEN REJECTboi” The soulful album drenched in hip-hop bravado boasts features from the likes of A-Reece, Wordz, Jay Jodi and Blxckie. Throughout the album, BELO peels back layers and reveals quite a lot. The album finds the perfect balance between introspective, thought-provoking themes and lighter songs to just vibe out to. BELO SALO has made sure to offer something to every type of fan and...

Roho is finally back with a new musical offering titled: Vesper. This project comes 3 years after the well-received "Ephemeral" and it is a project that packs many different flavours for every type of Roho fan. It is a daring, vulnerable and captivating experience. Roho is very intentional with every artistic decision made on here and it serves as a reminder why there is really nobody that can compare. Visit TBKS website · Follow TBKS on Facebook · Follow TBKS on Twitter · Follow TBKS on Instagr...

On this week’s episode, we pause from our weekly album review schedule and instead, take a look at the current state of music. Our main focus is on the South African music scene, in particular, the Amapiano wave and the revival and future of SA hip-hop. What are your general feelings about the current state of our music industry here at home? Does South African hip-hop have the potential to infiltrate Western markets the same way AmaPiano has? For you, does it matter much that most of the wor...

Two years after releasing his beloved album titled, “Product of a Praying Mother”, Wodz is back with a brand new album. “People Forget To Be People” is a display of great storytelling and lyrical finesse that many people have embraced since the album’s release. The album features the likes of Maglera Doe Boy, Tyson Sybateli, Thato Saul and more! Many are already saying it is a strong contender for the best South African Hip-Hop album for 2023. Visit TBKS website · Follow TBKS on Facebook · Follo...

One of many fresh new voices in South African R&B is S B X, who has been on a steady rise in the last couple of years. The success of her debut project (These Songs Are About You), compelled S B X to release her sophomore EP in 2022, (These Songs Are About You Too) which spawned the hit R&B heartbreak tune, ‘Why?’ and the Hip-hop/R&b crossover ‘Dues’. In April 2023, S B X released her highly anticipated third project, Now That It’s Over. The rollout and project has been praised by her peers and ...

KashCPT recently released his much anticipated album titled: LOVE LETTERS, which serves as a followup to his successful Cape Town Radio release from 2022. This new album was marketed as a, "KashCPT debut R&B project" and we indeed got some really incredible R&B music from him. The album also offers some very heartfelt, and introspective raps. KashCPT enlisted the talents of artists such as Aide Lae, FLVME, Baby S.O.N and South African R&B princess, Nanette. Many are saying this album is a strong...

On her latest EP titled, Malice In Wonderland, Ava Like Lava gets deeply personal and vulnerable while still keeping it fun. Sonically, Malice In Wonderland is influenced by sounds from Pop, Hip-Hop, Middle Eastern, and Alternative elements, and with this canvas, Ava Like Lava creates a cinematic soundscape that is both emotionally satisfying and intellectually stimulating. Visit TBKS website · Follow TBKS on Facebook · Follow TBKS on Twitter · Follow TBKS on Instagram

Ava Like Lava is a multi-cultural artist, increasingly representative and a product of the modern globalized world. Iranian by ethnicity and passport, Ava is a singer and songwriter, born in Japan, raised in China and now living and making music in South Africa. Ava has worked with the likes of Ganja Beatz, Sauwcy, Don Calya, Lee Global and more! In this interview, we discuss her journey into making her latest EP titled: Malice In Wonderland and also get insight on her overall creative process. ...

One of this year's exciting collaboration albums "AMI2" is a collection of songs by a creative collective that has some incredibly talented artist and producers. To label it as just a hip-hop album would be limiting because it covers a lot of ground sonically and stylistically, including influences from R&B, Afro-Soul, and more. It boasts guest appearances from the likes of Roho, Phiwo, Tyson Sybateli and more talented artists. it's an entertaining listen from start to finish. Visit TBKS website...

Born in De Aar, Northern Cape, Mia is the latest and newest rising star in the South African R&B scene. Her debut project titled: The Other Side, has been received with much praise by fans and industry peers. This debut serves as a highlight real of the many different pockets she can tap into creatively. It truly feels like she has only just barely scratched the surface. She is an artist with a lot to offer and this debut EP is one of the best South African projects of 2023. Visit TBKS website ·...

Oriiginelle recently released her followup project to [PHAZED] titled: MetamorphoFeels. As the title suggests, this project addresses her growing pains as she tries to capture her heartache and struggles in audio form. This is done in the most honest and skilful way as she showcases her artistic abilities throughout the project. From lyrics, to production and overall vocal performance, this project makes it clear that Oriiginelle is really serious about her craft. Visit TBKS website · Follow TBK...

The much anticipated debut album by lordkez is finally here. Titled, "Testament", the album bolstered by marvellous performances and compelling production inspired by R&B/Soul, Neo-Soul and Hip-Hop, lordkez's attempt to capture the emotional complexity of human nature and her perception on life is caught like lightning in a bottle, devastating to take in, emotionally stirring, hauntingly relevant and boldly presented. It's an album that puts forth the right statements to ponder about, making it ...

South African-rooted, Amsterdam-based artist, Joya Mooi finally released her much anticipated fourth studio album: What's Around The Corner. This comes after she released Side A in September of 2022 and so, the fans were eagerly waiting for Side B to complete the album. With this album, Joya Mooi takes us on a journey as she explores themes of spirituality, love for oneself and others and much more. Driven by exceptional songwriting and eclectic sounds inspired by Jazz, Soul, Hip-Hop and Electr...

On her latest EP, Now That It’s Over, S B X gives a vivid account of a breakup as she tries process the emotions and find closure. It is a deeply personal project and she skilfully uses her incredible songwriting abilities to take us on a journey so engaging you develop a level of empathy for her heart by the time you get to the end of the 8-track EP that has a runtime just shy of 20-minutes. It is easily her best work to date. On this episode we discuss everything, from songwriting, production...

In her latest EP titled: Butterfly, Hunter Rose wears her heart on her sleeve as she carefully takes us on a journey of healing and self-love. Throughout her previous offerings, she has shown how good she is with capturing the essence of love in its purest form and this new EP is no different. Hunter Rose is one of the most consistent new school artists working today — both in terms of quality and output. This week we take a look at this short but sweet project as we prepare for her album that ...

At least once a season we shine a spotlight on an artists that’s barely known. This week we are thrilled to be shining a spotlight on a new and exciting voice in the game. She goes by the name: Fele and her newest album is called: Love Arch. A character driven body of work that explores themes of love, heartbreak, loneliness and so much more. Fele’s voice and songwriting shine the most on here as she makes her mark in the game. Visit TBKS website · Follow TBKS on Facebook · Follow TBKS on Twitt...

On this week's episode, SeezyRay is joined by Leon John to unpack his debut album called: Licence To Feel, released in 2022. Evoking sentiments of being uncertain of one’s place in the world and trying to make sense of it while still embroiled in the on and on-ness of it all, LEON JOHN uses his commanding voice and skilful storytelling to grapple with the disillusionment of being a young, black and queer African in the realities of the 21st century, using his personal history and experiences as...

The debut EP from South African soul singer-songwriter, Lloyiso finally arrived and it is everything and more! The emotionally charged body of work shows Lloyiso at his best in every possible way. The project is proof that Lloyiso has excellent musicianship and can craft songs that resonate deeply. Whether he is singing about the loss of love, the journey of self love or the excitement of new love, every lyric is constructed to tug at your heart strings and transport you into a different dimensi...

South African hip-hop artist, Jay Jody released a brand new project in March of 2023 titled: Revenge Is Sweet. This is a follow-up to his previous offering titled: Sunset Stories. This new project sees Jay showcase his skills as a rapper and great storyteller. The project features Loatinover Pounds, AV Raincandy and, of course, his brother, A-Reece. With just six songs and s runtime shy of 20 minutes, Jay uses this release as a reminder that he is serious about establishing himself as his own ar...

YoungstaCPT is arguably the hardest working rapper in South Africa and he has over 120 projects as proof. Regarded as one of the elite MC’s in the country, YoungstaCPT remains consistent with all his musical outputs and his latest project “Suffer For Beauty” continues his impeccable run. A project in collaboration with producer, Shaney Jay, YoungstaCPT explores lighter subjects like love and different types of relationships in his life. It is an entertaining offering by one of the most exciting...

For our milestone 100th episode, we bring you the first ever interview on our show featuring R&B princess, Nanette! Nanette Mbili, better known as Nanette, hails from Durban, KwaZulu Natal. Fresh out of high school, in 2020 Nanette took to cultivating a career in music as a Bachelor of Arts student. Since the release of her debut album “Bad Weather” she has debuted at no.10 in the continent on the Apple charts. Under the executive production of Lindelani Lee, (aka Lee Global) and creative assis...