Arguably one of S.A Hip Hops most cherished career rappers, Jay Stash has wowed crowds, been controversially outspoken on topics shy away from and has taken on uncharted paths in equal measure for more than a decade. The strength courage and wisdom amassed during this time has culminated in a body of works titled We Keep Marching which constitutes his debut album and is due for release soon. It is a verbal depiction chronicling the various observations and experiences that Jay has encountered to date.
Early days:
Jay cut his teeth rapping in cyphers on many platforms including (Y FM’s) Rap Activity Jam, being an opening act for the likes of late great songstress, Lebo Mathosa as well as kwaito legend, Mandoza. Jay has worked with the self-named principal of hip hop Amu where they collaborated with other artists on A Song For Madiba. He's been in studio with music royalty in the form of rocker Arno Carstens, blessed mics with soul singer MXO and has hosted events where he helped launch the careers of many of S.A hip hop's best artists including Pro, Tuks and HHP amongst others. An energetic performer, Jay continues to grow in popularity and has appeared on shows such as Shiz Niz, SABC1's Live and been featured in The Star, Hype Magazine, Online Mag Rap Buzz , Sunday World as well as received rave reviews on social media platforms Twitter and Facebook. He has also been interviewed on the country’s biggest radio stations including YFM, 5FM, Metro FM , UJFM, UNISA Radio and Tuks Fm.
We Keep Marching
Titled, We Keep Marching, the album features an incredible list of the most talented artists in the South African music industry. The album features range from crooner, producer and scribe extraodinaire Kabomo, whom he features in the title track of the album which is an anthem and call to arms for the youth to carry on pushing through the hardships they encounter. Critically acclaimed poet and speaker Ntsiki Mazwai delivers a moving poem relating to women abuse alongside silky voiced TeePee in another Jay Stash jewel titled For The Sistaz which was performed live on SABC1's women's month celebration show. The show also included stars such as Kelly Khumalo and Lira amongst others. Showing his versatility Jay teams up with Kwaito’s golden boy Brickz Mabrigado on a track titled Saba Le Summa which is a catchy, free spirited song which has two variations and is set to burn up the charts this summer which is sure to happen since he enlisted the services of the legendary Bruce Sebitlo of leading hit making power-group B.O.P to engineer the song. Showing his individuality and willingness to cross over to other genres, Jay joined forces with Kalawa Jazzmee's Skhokho to make another smash song titled Auzwe which has been selected to be SABC 2's summer campaign song.
Being the social commentator that Jay is, he explores themes which affect everyday society such as education, perseverance through difficulties, the allure of money and how it can destroy lives when not handled properly and so on. He gives thanks to his parents in a moving song titled Mama Le Papa where he thanks his parents for raising him in the manner that they did and also promises to raise his son to be a better man than he is.
With over a decade years in the music business Jay Stash has written and recorded songs with the following producers and artists:
Producers:
Beat Maker – Produced for Skwatta Camp, Coca Cola Pop Starts, Proverb
Omen – Produced for Flabba, Deep Level, Pro
Amu - Produced for Pro, Skwatta Camp
Dome – Produced for Pro, Zulu Boy, Morale
Artists:
Kabomo – Song: We keep marching
Brickz – Song: Saba leSummer
Arno Carstens – Song: This pain
Ntsiki Mazwai – Song: For The Sisters
Tee Pee – Song: Brick Layer
Tuks – Song: It’s Okay
Morale – Song: It’s Okay
Skhokho (Kalawa) – Song: A’uzwe