Mr. Eazi’s Choplife Soundsystem Release Debut LP, Choplife Vol 1 

The 14-track mixtape immerses listeners in South African club culture.

By Omotayo Olutekunbi

Choplife Soundsystem, the Afrodance music collaboration of DJ Edu and Mr. Eazi, has released their first project titled ‘Choplife Vol1 – Mzansi Chronicles’ today via Choplife Limited/emPawa Africa.

Choplife Soundsystem travels between Capetown and Johannesburg, South Africa, for the inaugural installment of the Choplife music series, where the songs were recorded in 2022 and 2023, collaborating with some of the region’s most intriguing artists.

The 14-track mixtape immerses listeners in South Africa’s club scene, which is currently producing some of the world’s most exciting music, with appearances from featured artists such as Focalistic & Anaati on By Force, Ami Faku, Moonchild Sanelly, Major League DJs, Mellow and Sleazy, Nkosazana Daughter, 2woshort and Stompiiey, Mo-T, and Aymos on Ziwa La.

Choplife Vol. 1: Mzansi Chronicles also serves as an official introduction to Choplife Soundsystem, whose name is derived from West African pidgin slang for “enjoy life.”

Choplife Soundsystem focuses on music that elicits sentiments of pleasure, well-being, and satisfaction — and spreads pleasant, carefree vibes via music and events.

Chop Life, Vol. 1: Mzansi Chronicles is primarily produced by Mozambique’s DJ Tárico, best known for his 2021 smash Yaba Buluku featuring Burna Boy, with additional contributions from South African beatmakers Mellow & Sleazy, Ghetto Boy, Milan Rendall, LuuDaDeejay, Soul Jam, and Mathondos, as well as Type A from Nigeria.

The project’s initial track, Wena, showcases the captivating voice of Ami Faku, one of South Africa’s most streamed musicians. Dueting in her native Xhosa with Mr. Eazi, she tells the narrative of would-be lovers who never completely consummate their relationship, a tragedy that can only be rectified in the light of the dancefloor.

Nkosazana Daughter, one of South Africa’s most intriguing and distinctive young vocalists, lends her rich, dulcet tones to Die For You and Indaba, lending an almost otherworldly atmosphere to the tracks.

Rappers 2woshort and Stompiiey bring their inexhaustible swagger to Big Boy and No Condom. Tear Chain and the Focalistic-assisted By Force are big-room anthems and personal manifestos in which Mr. Eazi openly expresses his vision for 2023 and beyond.

While Choplife, Vol. 1 concentrates on Amapiano, future mixtape installments will travel the African club and party music globe.

“I like the idea of going to a new place for 30 days and doing a project,” Mr. Eazi adds.

Listeners can connect with Mr. Eazi and Choplife Soundsystem this summer on its inaugural ChopLife pop-up tour, which will take place this summer in Barcelona (July 7), Amsterdam (July 8), London (July 14), and Paris (July 16), followed by appearances at the Afrobeats Festival in Berlin (August 5) and Stockholm’s kulturfestival in Sweden (August 18).

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