RICHI RICH collaborates with iamSlolo on banging new single Japan (Rage Version)
True to his unending appetite for sonic and cultural exploration, South Africa’s RICHI RICH has collaborated with iamSlolo to release a banging new single to mark his new relationship with Netherlands-based The Good Times Co.
Titled “Japan (Rage Version)”, the track delivers a hefty blast of sound - a raucous beat, loud yet mellow instrumentals, and iamSlolo’s catchy hook channeled via SKYSREVENGE guitar synths.
The track’s lyrical flow slides perfectly over the musical bedrock and sees RICHI RICH paying homage to streetwear, through a celebration of the substantial role it plays in the lives of South Africa’s youths.
In particular, “Japan” is a nod to the influence of the Asian country it is named for on the two artists. “We love their strong, tailored garments,”says RICHI RICH. “The single’s illustrated cover design and track were also very influenced by The Nigo & Pharrell Bape era and the 2000 Y2K culture, mixed with a little bit of rock.”
The release of “Japan” is the latest from the Baragwanath, Soweto-born and Alexandra-raised artist and musician who has mined a deep creative well since he first started “taking music seriously” when he was a 16-year-old schoolkid.
Wielding a great flow, clever word play and originality, his music is mostly influenced by Alexandra where he lived from the age of three. Its culture, style, lingo and the hardships
and lessons of growing up in a township all play a continuing role in RICHI RICH’s creative output, even after he started basing himself out of Cape Town some years ago.
A former member of the influential hip hop group YUNGUNZENT(2010-2014), RICHI RICH has released a slate of projects - all independently, marking him out as an uncompromising talent. These include GHETTO FABULOUS (2015), ArtRap(2016), NORTH GOMORA MIXTAPE(2019), ALXTON EP(2020), ABAFANA BASE GOLI VOL.1(2022) KWAITO IS OURS EP(2023), and RICHB4FAME EP(2024).
He also contributed the original song “Cheese Boy” to the Netflix film, The Queenstown Kings and has worked with some of South Africa’s most gifted collaborators, including more recently with Cape Town-based cultural heavyweight iamSlolo and, for the last 15 years, with Suup Zulu. Known for his vibrant and energetic stage performances, Richi brings something fresh and exciting to the stage and he’s performed alongside the likes of Stilo Magolide , uSanele, Okamalumkoolkat, Khuli Chana , Kelvin Momo, Culoe De Song and others, as well as at many different events including headlining Community in Cape Town.
In an early interview, RICHI RICH described how he came to realise the route into his music was rooted in South Africa. “When I saw Okmalumkoolkat and the ‘Sebenza’ song that changed the whole perspective of music for me. (To) actually create South African hip-hop. People in America don’t want to hear what they do. They want to hear something new, something from South Africa, something from Africa. So I feel like we should push that.”
That has remained consistent in his repertoire, while still allowing him to explore new sonic frontiers with his music. “I have to be true to myself. I have to reflect the environment where I grew up. Authenticity and originality means alot to me as an artist.”
