''Due Drop'' is the debut

studio album An album is a collection of audio recordings (e.g., music) issued on a medium such as compact disc (CD), Phonograph record, vinyl (record), audio tape (like 8-track cartridge, 8-track or Cassette tape, cassette), or digital distribution, dig ...

by South African singer

Toya Delazy Latoya Nontokozo Buthelezi, who is known professionally as Toya Delazy, is a London-based South African singer, producer, pianist, dancer and performer from KwaZulu-Natal. She is known for her music genre called Afro rave, which fuses techno, ...

. It was released by SME Africa on 23 April 2012. The album is a fusion of JEHP, an acronym for Jazz, Electro, Hip hop, and Pop. ''Due Drop'' received generally positive reviews from

music critics Music journalism (or music criticism) is media criticism and reporting about music topics, including popular music, classical music, and traditional music. Journalists began writing about music in the eighteenth century, providing commentary on ...

, who commended its production, sound and commercial appeal. The album sold over 20,000 copies and was awarded a Gold plaque by the

Recording Industry of South Africa Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA) is a trade association representing the interests of major and independent record labels of South Africa. Located in Randburg, RiSA is responsible for running the annual South African Music Awards (SAMA ...

. The deluxe edition won Best Pop Album at the 2013

South African Music Awards The South African Music Awards (often simply the SAMAs) are the Recording Industry of South Africa's music industry awards, established in 1995. The ceremony is held annually, usually in late April or May, with the judging process starting in ...

and received two nominations at the 2013

Metro FM Music Awards The 15th installment of the annual Metro FM Music Awards is an award ceremony in the South African music industry honouring musicians who did exceedingly well in their field throughout 2015. The show first aired on SABC 1 on February 27, 2016. The ...

Background and promotion

The Soil The Soil is a South African a cappella group from Soweto founded in 2004, consisting of the lead singer Ntsika Ngxanga, beatboxer Luphindo, and vocalist Theo Matshoba. The band eponymous debut LP ''The Soil'' (2011), which became certified ...

appears on ''Due Drop''s standard edition, while a collaboration with Ross Jack is included on the deluxe edition. The album was supported by the singles "Pump It On", "Love Is In the Air", "Are You Gonna Stay?", "Heart", and "Memoriam". The artwork for all three installments of the album was conceptualized and created by photographer Ross Garrett. Production for the album's standard edition was primarily handled by Jax Panik, along with assistance from the Joburg-based production duo Octave Couplet. The album's deluxe edition includes additional production and remixes from Justin Denobrega,

Pascal & Pearce Pascal & Pearce is a DJ and record producer duo from Cape Town, South Africa. The group was formed in 2007, and consists of Pascal Ellinas and Dave Pearce - not to be confused with BBC Radio DJ Dave Pearce. The group produces a wide range of st ...

, and Classy Menace. "Pump It On" was released as the album's lead single on 28 October 2011. The song was produced by Jax Van Heerden and Johnny Deridder. It received substantial airplay on

5FM 5FM is a South African FM radio station forming part of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), South Africa's public broadcaster. 5FM follows a Top 40 music format aimed at a youth market, together with news and sports coverage. ...

and

Metro FM Metro FM is a national commercial radio station in South Africa owned by the South African Broadcasting Corporation. The station broadcasts on FM Stereo as well as the DStv Bouquet Channel 801. Telephone : History The station started broad ...

. The music video for "Pump It On" was released on 15 November 2011. On 2 April 2012, SME Africa released "Love Is In the Air" as the album's second single. Its music video was uploaded to Vevo on 26 March 2012. Classy Menace's remix of the song appeared on the deluxe edition. The album's third single, "Are You Gonna Stay", was released on 27 July 2012, along with its music video. "Heart" was released as the album's fourth single.

produced the official remix, which appeared on the album's deluxe edition. The music video for "Heart" was directed by Jeana Theron of Velocity Films and aided by Great Heart. The video was filmed over the course of three days, with a full hour spent on 12 frames. The album's fifth single, "Memoriam", was released on 30 September 2013. The song was written to honor one of Delazy's teachers who died in 2009. Lyrically, "Memoriam" delves into themes of pain and hopelessness, as well as the acceptance and healing that come with time. Delazy said writing the song alleviated some of her psychological and emotional trauma. Channel 24 included "Memoriam" on their list of the 15 Best SA songs of 2013. The music video for "Memoriam" was filmed in

Gauteng Gauteng ( , ; Sotho-Tswana languages, Sotho-Tswana for 'place of gold'; or ) is one of the nine provinces of South Africa. Situated on the Highveld, Gauteng is the smallest province by land area in South Africa. Although Gauteng accounts f ...

by Fausto Becatti.

Composition

The song "Love is in the Air" has elements of house groove beats. "Are You Gonna Stay?" is a mid tempo song; Delazy's vocals on the track is reminiscent of

Nicki Minaj Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty (born December 8, 1982), known professionally as Nicki Minaj ( ), is a Trinidadian rapper, singer, and songwriter. Regarded as the "Queen of Rap" and one of the most influential rappers of all time, she is noted for her ...

. "Jai Lover" is an

electro pop Electropop is a popular music fusion genre combining elements of the electronic and pop styles. It has been described as a variant of synth-pop with emphasis on a hard electronic sound. The genre was developed in the 1980s and saw a reviv ...

song with Zulu lyrics. "Yeah Hell Yeah (With You)" is an ode to her sexual instincts. Delazy meditated and thought in silence on the broken hearted

ballad A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads were particularly characteristic of the popular poetry and song of Great Britain and Ireland from the Late Middle Ages until the 19th century. They were widely used across Eur ...

"Love Takes Time". "Memoriam" is an electro anthem centered around the loss of love and life.

Critical reception

''Due Drop'' received generally positive reviews from

. Channel 24's Georgina Marques awarded the album 3 stars out of 5, calling it "unashamedly pop" and praising Delazy's musical background and classical training. Moreover, Marques believes the album's songs "transcend the superficial genre and offer a more layered and interesting sound." In a review for ''Indie Does It'', Genevieve Vieira said the album is "altogether satisfactory" and commended Delazy for having "everything it takes, from the style, to the voice, flair and talent". Writing for GoXtra News, Molebogeng Maunatlala said the album is accommodating because it "satisfies all the music lovers, and goes from Jazz, soul, hip hop to house". ''

TimesLIVE ''TimesLIVE'' ( aka ''TshisaLIVE'') is a South African online newspaper that started as ''The Times'' daily newspaper. ''The Times'' print version was an offshoot of ''Sunday Times ''The Sunday Times'' is a British Sunday newspaper who ...

'' writer Lebohang Nthongoa said it is "catchy and has a vibe all its own". ''You'' magazine granted the album 4 stars out of 5. In a less enthusiastic review, Nyeleti Machovani of Radio Biz said the lyrics "do not offer much depth" and that the heavy use of auto-tune is "a distraction to an artist who otherwise, has more to show."

Accolades

Track listing

Personnel

*Latoya Buthelezi – primary artist, composer *Jax Panik – producer *Octave Couplet – producer *Justin Denobrega – producer *Classy Menace – producer *Pascal & Pearce – producer *Ross Jack – featured artist *The Soil – featured artist

Release history

References

{{Authority control 2012 debut albums