Apple Music’s Rap Life Radio, presented by Global Editorial Head of Hip-Hop and R&B Ebro Darden, will feature South African artists K.Keed & Orish this month, as Ebro and Africa Now Radio host Nandi Madida discuss their latest single, “Abenam,” taken from their highly anticipated collaborative album, uMgaranto II. The official sequel to their 2023 project Umgaranto, the album builds on the chemistry and shared creative language that first brought the pair together, while expanding their sound into something more cinematic, intentional and sonically refined.
“Abenam” offers a playful snapshot of the rap duo’s storytelling, following two friends being chased by a man “from the hood” after entertaining his lady. With a title that translates to “may the higher spirit be with me,” the track captures the humorous chaos and tension of the story through sharp lyricism, infectious energy and vibrant production. uMgaranto II itself is driven predominantly by isiXhosa storytelling, drawing from vintage South African advertisements, nostalgic cultural moments and “kasi” experiences that shaped K.Keed & Orish’s upbringing.
Alongside K.Keed and Orish, Rap Life Africa will also spotlight Zen Univrse’s debut album, #flowstate. Following the momentum of single “margiela baby,” the project brings together an impressive lineup of Nigeria’s leading underground artists, including Psycho YP, scottyolorin, and ARTSALGHUL among others. Capturing the energy of the current underground scene, #flowstate offers a snapshot of the new wave of Nigerian Hip-Hop. Also featured is “Lil Mama” by Cassper Nyovest and Nasty C, a major collaboration between two of Africa’s most celebrated Hip-Hop artists that arrives with a hook designed to stick.
Spotlight On
K.Keed & Orish’s creative partnership is rooted in a friendship that has developed over years of making music together. Their collaborative world began with the first uMgaranto project in 2023 and returns with uMgaranto II, an album that reflects their evolution both personally and artistically while remaining grounded in the experiences and cultural references that shaped them. Rather than approaching the project as simply another collaboration, the duo use Umgaranto as a space to reconnect, strengthen their bond and explore their shared creative language.
Driven predominantly by isiXhosa storytelling, uMgaranto II draws on South African nostalgia, bringing ‘90s coded local cultural references into a more cinematic and considered sonic world. The pair’s chemistry comes naturally from a collaborative process built on honesty, trust and mutual understanding, often creating together at home rather than in traditional studio environments. At its core, the project celebrates collaboration, culture, selflessness and growth, with K.Keed & Orish using music to reflect the beauty of creating alongside people you genuinely love and trust.
First To Know
K.Keed tells Apple Music, “uMgaranto II is definitely the sequel to the first one, but this one is more cinematic, intentional and sonically satisfying. The growth is evident in the production and subject matter. Orish and I have evolved into artists that are students of the game and challenge each other to be the best at what we do.”
Press Play
Rap Life Africa serves as a companion to Apple Music’s flagship Hip-Hop playlist, Rap Life.