Bringing together deep soulful vocals, horns and keys that have dominated the charts in South Africa and Africa since 2010 (over the past ten years), South Africa music group, Mi Casa, last week release their 5th studio album titled ‘We Made It’.
The trio that consists of Dr Duda, J’Something & Mo-T, has had numerous exciting and consistent success stories during their ten-year journey. From bringing down the house at many gigs and concerts (including) sold out concerts in London, Rome, Portugal, Canada, Johannesburg and 23 other African countries, having a total of 8 number one singles which have since gone multi-platinum, to performing at the US President Barack Obama’s Inauguration, the Huawei KDay, then becoming five-time South African Music Awards (SAMA) winners including “Best Duo Group”, “Best Dance Group” and the coveted “Record of the year”. The group signed an international record deal with Afroforce1 Records and Universal Music Group this same year, which made them a priority act for their region.
Mi Casa is best known for their smash hits “Jika” and “Don’t Wanna Be Your Friend”. The 3-member boy band’s brand-new album ‘We Made It’ is a testament to a decade of raw pushing that saw this self-made success story emerge once again on top.
With a sonic uniqueness that has not only stood the test of time but shaped South African dance floors for the past decade, the band has gone from strength to strength with their Afro-Pop / House grooves and shown the world that nothing can keep positivity and a good formula down.
April 2020 saw a strong kick out the gate with the first single, “Church Bells”. Released alongside a powerful video of a space-inspired traditional African wedding, the single immediately topped SA’s most-played charts and firmly reminded audiences Mi Casa are leaders in their arena.
The band, with close musical companions such as producers: Dr Duda, Jay Em (SA) & VTheVowel who spent three months writing from a house in Mpumalanga with no distractions, pushing through a tough time when the band was probably at its weakest in terms of spirit. Amidst the rumors of break-up and song-writing apathy, they emerged with an offering that leans more towards a ‘band act’ than the ‘club act’ they felt they may have before.
‘We Made It’ was released on Friday, 3 July 2020, last week under Universal Music (Pty) Ltd South Africa (UMG) & Afroforce1, along with a few singles ‘Church Bells’, and ‘Eve’; of which were both a commercial success prior the full-length album’s debut. With a definite African angle to the lyrics, the sadness of the track is visceral and although perhaps not destined for dancefloor dominance without a remix, the sheer vocal mastery by J’Something, Mo’s melancholy pull of the trumpet and the slowed-down beat takes the listener on a journey of awareness. In short, it’s pure fire.
He states, “We are completely re-energized with this record. It feels like we have emerged on another planet compared to where we were before we started the recording process.”
J’Something took to Instagram expressing his joy about the album release.
Mi Casa’s 5th offering mashes some of the sounds they have toyed with over the past two years including Amapiano, Afro Beats, Dance, Afro House and Pop. It features AKA, Rouge, Jay Em, AKA and Stilo Magolide. The 13-track piece has songs:
- Sober
- Obsessed
- How Could You (feat. Rouge)
- Love Everything About You (feat. Jay Em)
- Church Bells
- Sweet Wine
- Eve
- Banza & Pasty
- Mamela
- Chucks
- Mr. Loverman
- Home Alone (feat. AKA)
- One Day (feat. Stilo Magolide)
The album is probably one of the smoothest Mi Casa offerings to date. Tracks such as “Mamela” speak to the tender side of all of us as J aches for quiet time with his partner. Vocally, it gives a definite nod to 90’s R&B, whilst smatterings of musical beach vibes bring the listener closer to that holiday. “Obsessed” takes it right to the top with fire lyrics cradled in a sexy Latin-House beat.
“How Could You” is a gut-punch that speaks almost tangibly to anyone who’s ever been played in a relationship while party tracks like “Chucks” and “Love Everything about You” remind fans why this band is still on top of their game. A stand-out track is without a doubt, ‘Eve’ – a deeper, socio-political look at the dark place we find ourselves in as mankind. With a definite African angle to the lyrics, the sadness of the track is visceral and although perhaps not destined for dancefloor dominance without a remix, the sheer vocal mastery by J’Something, Mo’s melancholy pull of the trumpet and the slowed-down beat take the listener on a journey of awareness. In short, it’s pure fire. Another stand-out track is ‘Home Alone’, featuring AKA. The song speaks to long distance relationships, longing, isolation and all the hard times people experience when being alone, much like what so many people have been experienced worldwide right now with the Covid 19 pandemic.
The band plans to support it with an exciting 9-province virtual tour and a host of other awesome digital content, until such time as they can perform live. As a complete record one could be forgiven for feeling like they’re witnessing the blossoming evolution of their favorite OG’s. Emerging the other side as a more mature, slick and sexy force of nature. Mi Casa has literally, never sounded so good. 🙃
The album is out now everywhere: on all digital music streaming and downloading platforms. Listen to Mi Casa’s ‘We Made It’ below:
