Very rarely do you find a debut project that presents such clear artistic intent, but this is precisely what makes Chipego’s debut, Don’t Forget to Remember, so remarkable.
The nine-track EP offers listeners a window into her musical talents, striking an excellent balance between pure enjoyment and thought-provoking content.
Coming in hot, the EP opens with “LALALA,” a neo-soul inspired track that feels like a warm blast from the past. Throughout the project, Chipego draws confidently from neo-soul, amapiano, Afro-Tech and R&B, yet the true beauty lies in how authentic each track feels – there’s no sense of imitation here.
Instead, her clever genre amalgamations reveal an artist remarkably self-assured. “Motivation” infuses elements of highlife and Afrobeat to create a sultry experience, while “Said I Do” stands as one of the project’s highlights by blending amapiano with tribal house elements.
And then there’s Chipego’s vocal versatility, which impresses throughout. Her careful consideration of style, along with her skilful balance of rap, makes this debut a wild success.
In a local music scene that is continuously producing fresh talent, artists like Chipego stand out by building their sound around familiar genres whilst simultaneously adding their own, distinctive stamp. This kind of experimentation is genuinely exciting, and Chipego’s willingness to think outside conventional boundaries is, well, pretty legendary.
