YoungstaCPT has released his latest project, 31 Y?EARS AHEAD OF TIME a momentous 33rd mixtape in a trilogy release that further cements his legacy in South African hip-hop.
This release is said to not only reflect his personal and artistic growth over the years but it also captures a period of deep introspection, life changes, and a visionary approach to music creation as the tape offers a dynamic blend of futuristic sounds, poignant storytelling, and timeless messages that speak to both the present and the future of South African hip-hop.
I always knew this day would come, especially after my 2012 release ‘21 YEARS AHEAD OF TIME’. It’s surreal, but I’m not surprised. For me, every song is a story, a moment in time, and I believe all of them deserve to be heard. If they aren’t released now, they’ll stay in the archives, waiting for their moment. Finally putting this project out is like lifting a heavy weight off my shoulders. It’s crazy because these tracks were recorded before projects like “Dreams Don’t Pay Bills” and “Suffer for Beauty” It’s a testimony that things take time, and even though I’ve always felt ahead of my time, my music is meant to last forever.
The mixtape features tracks that are deeply personal to the rapper. “Slim Young” takes listeners on a journey back to his teenage years, offering a rare glimpse into YoungstaCPT’s life as a young student. “This one stands out for me because it’s the first time I’ve really delved into that part of my past in this way. It reminds me of YVR, and for my listeners, it’s a chance to see the early experiences that shaped me.”
“COLONAAIERS” produced by Ganja Beatz hits hard with its powerful message and tone, embodying the resilience and determination that have become synonymous with YoungstaCPT’s music. “It’s a serious track, but it carries so much power. I wanted to create something that feels heavy in both message and mood.”
Perhaps one of the most emotional tracks on the mixtape is “Pass The Time,” featuring the soulful vocals of Nashiefah. “This collaboration is special, Nashiefah’s voice on the hook truly touched my soul. It reminds me of the music I grew up listening to, the music I always hoped I’d be able to create one day. It’s got that nostalgic feel, but it’s also timeless.”
This trilogy of mixtapes originally began as a singular project, envisioned to contain 31 tracks to mark YoungstaCPT’s 31st birthday “Originally, I had planned to house all 31 songs in one project, But the delays and changes forced me to think differently, and I realised these tracks deserved their own space. 31Y?EARS is where it all started, with the songs I first began working on. 32 is more mid-tempo, laid-back but still impactful. And 33 is the most modern version of me. Together, they show different sides of my work as a musician. Each one is its own chapter in the story.”
The mixtape also marks a significant personal evolution for YoungstaCPT, who became a father during the course of the project. “When I started making these songs, I wasn’t a father yet, But I had this line in one of the songs where I said, ‘I am your father but don’t feel sorry ’cause you’re not my first son.’ Fast forward to now, and I’ve got a little boy. It just goes to show how sometimes my third eye sees things before they happen. Fatherhood has definitely changed my perspective, and that shift seeps into the music. These projects are like time capsules of my life over the last few years.”
Another highlight on the mixtape is the intro, voiced by actor and spoken word artist Omari Hardwick. The two first connected when Omari visited Cape Town in 2019 to film a movie. “We met through mutual connections, and he came by my store, We worked on a few songs together and kept in touch when he left. When COVID hit, we started talking more, sharing music and ideas over the phone. I knew he did spoken word and poetry, so when I started working on 31YRS, I thought it would be dope to have him kick off the project. He delivered a truly stellar intro that sets the tone for everything that follows.”
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The cover art for the trilogy was created by visual artist Mishaal G, whose connection to YoungstaCPT runs deep. Mishaal G, the younger brother of Heemal and Aashish from Ganja Beatz, had previously collaborated with YoungstaCPT. “We’ve only done stills together once before, but when I saw his work, I knew I wanted to work with him again. I had this vision of incorporating the narrative of time—how music, even when created at different times, can remain timeless. The idea was to show how I envision the future, both long-term and short-term, and how through creating music in different years, we can still capture something eternal. Since the project was split into three parts, I needed three distinct images for the cover art, and Mishaal delivered exactly what I envisioned.”
Since the project’s inception, YoungstaCPT’s sound has naturally evolved. “The hip hop genre itself has changed a lot over the last few years, but it’s exciting to see Africa and South Africa at the forefront of music and content creation. My sound is still rooted in Kaapstad, but I’ve grown. The maturity in my music has improved, and I’m still addressing the topics that others stay away from. I’m staying true to myself as a creative, but with more growth and purpose.”
The mixtape features a range of producers, from long-time collaborators to new connections “I wanted a wider range of production on this project. There are songs as old as 2016/17, tracks I had made for 3T and other earlier projects. It’s a good blend of past, present, and future. For fans who enjoy my older music, this will remind them why they fell in love with it in the first place.”
As he releases his 33rd mixtape, YoungstaCPT’s focus remains on creating music that transcends the moment. “I’m not making music just for right now,” he says. “Some of what I’m saying won’t be fully understood until much later, but one day, it will all make sense. Things take time, but I’m always thinking ahead.”
YoungstaCPT cements his place as one of the most influential voices in South African hip-hop. This mixtape, like the trilogy as a whole, is a testament to his resilience, vision, and commitment to making timeless music.
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