South African rapper Ruff joins forces with Emtee, Sjava and Saudi for “I Was Young,” a reflective hip-hop record looking back on life’s lessons and early struggles, and the lessons that come with time.
Each artist is bringing his own point of view to give emotional depth to the song, but not at the expense of musicality.
Ruff opens the track with some real lyrics that get the mood right, then Emtee with his trademark melodic flow and personal stories. Sjava adds depth with his soulful vocals, and Saudi rounds out the collaboration with a heartfelt performance that fits naturally with the others. Their styles are different, but they blend well and the record feels like a whole.
The production features soft piano melodies, warm pads and steady drums to put the focus on the lyrics. It’s not an instrumental that dominates the vocals, but one that adds to the calm mood of the song, that being the mood of the song.
More than a collaboration, “I Was Young” is a collection of personal memories and hard earned wisdom, told through music. Those folks who enjoy thoughtful South African hip-hop and soulful storytelling will find a lot to appreciate in this well-crafted record.
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