DJ Sliqe has lifted the curtain on the unexpected creative process behind “Ntshepe”, a standout collaboration that brings together Loatinover Pounds, Sjava and Cassper Nyovest.
The track has attracted attention not only because of the heavyweight names involved, but because it connects three different generations of South African hip-hop on one record.
According to Sliqe, the collaboration came together almost by chance during a creative lock-in session for the Rash-Awa album.
HOW ‘NTSHEPE’ CAME TOGETHER
Sliqe explained that Loatinover Pounds was already part of the core creative team during one of the album’s lock-in sessions when the foundations of “Ntshepe” were created.
“Crazy story. So when we were doing the Rash-Awa album, one of the lock-in sessions, one of our core artists was Pounds. And we created the tempo there, and then we just sat with it,” Sliqe explained.
The song initially had no second verse, leaving the team with the challenge of finding the right artists to complete it.
That search produced an unlikely but powerful combination.
CASSPER AND SJAVA BOTH DELIVERED
Sliqe revealed that Sjava and Cassper Nyovest were approached around the same time to contribute verses.
The surprise came when both artists submitted their verses almost simultaneously.
“It was a game of which one comes first. The verse is from Cassper and Sjava. So they both came at the same time. We just couldn’t leave one out. They were both fire,” Sliqe said.
Rather than choosing between the two rappers, the team decided to keep both contributions.
That decision transformed “Ntshepe” into a collaboration spanning multiple generations of South African hip-hop.
THREE GENERATIONS ON ONE RECORD
For Sliqe, the combination of Pounds, Sjava and Cassper is what makes the record particularly special.
Pounds represents a younger generation coming through, while Sjava and Cassper bring established voices and distinct eras of South African hip-hop to the song.
“It’s like three generations of hip-hop being explained in one song, held by a young Pounds,” Sliqe said.
The contrast between the artists gives “Ntshepe” its unique character, while allowing different styles and cultural influences to exist on the same record.
SJAVA’S SPITORI VERSE SURPRISED EVERYONE
One of the biggest surprises for Sliqe was Sjava’s decision to rap in Spitori.
The producer admitted that he had no idea Sjava was going to take that approach.
“I have no idea. He didn’t tell me. We were just as shocked when we received it,” he revealed.
The reaction was immediate.
Sliqe recalled taking the track outside the club to listen to it properly, only for the listening session to stretch much longer than expected.
“We bumped for, like, maybe 15, 20 minutes. We even forgot that we’re at the club,” he recalled.
Cassper’s contribution also stood out to Sliqe, particularly the rapper’s opening, adding another memorable element to the finished track.
MORE THAN JUST A HIP-HOP COLLABORATION
Sliqe believes the significance of “Ntshepe” extends beyond its individual performances.
For him, music has the power to connect South Africans from different cultural backgrounds, and the collaboration represents that idea.
“The love is showing that there’s love for hip-hop. We’re trying to bridge all the cultures within South Africa, bring everyone together through music, because that’s what music should do, right? Bring everyone together,” he said.
Sliqe also credited hard work, planning and faith for his recent momentum, rather than simply attributing his success to the popularity of his music.
“God is good. I’ll start there. Work hard, guys,” he said.
With Loatinover Pounds, Sjava and Cassper Nyovest sharing the same record, “Ntshepe” has become a meeting point between different generations, styles and cultural expressions within South African hip-hop.
