Wikipedia

Due Drop

Due Drop is the debut studio album by South African singer Toya Delazy. 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.[2] Due Drop received generally positive reviews from music critics, 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.[3] The deluxe edition won Best Pop Album at the 2013 South African Music Awards and received two nominations at the 2013 Metro FM Music Awards.

Due Drop
Studio album by
Toya Delazy
Released23 April 2012 (2012-04-23)[1]
Recorded2011-2012
Genre
LabelSME Africa
Producer
Toya Delazy chronology
Due Drop
(2012) 		Ascension
(2014)
Singles from Due Drop
  1. "Pump It On"
    Released: 28 October 2011
  2. "Love is in the Air"
    Released: 2 April 2012
  3. "Are You Gonna Stay?"
    Released: 27 July 2012
  4. "Heart"
    Released: 17 October 2012
  5. "Memoriam"
    Released: 30 September 2013

Background edit

Due Drop's standard edition features The Soil and the deluxe edition features Ross Jack. 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.[4] 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, and Classy Menace.

Composition edit

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 song is reminiscent of Nicki Minaj.[5] "Jai Lover" is an electro pop song with Zulu lyrics.[6] "Yeah Hell Yeah (With You)" is an ode to her sexual instincts. Delazy meditated and thought in silence on the broken hearted ballad "Love Takes Time". "Memoriam" is an electro anthem centered around the loss of love and life.[7]

Singles edit

"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 and Metro FM.[8] The music video for "Pump It On" was released on 15 November 2011.[9]

On 2 April 2012, SME Africa released "Love Is In the Air" as the album's second single.[10] Its music video was uploaded to Vevo on 26 March 2012. Classy Menace's remix of the song appeared on the album's deluxe edition. The album's third single, "Are You Gonna Stay", was released simultaneously with its video on 27 July 2012.[11][12]

"Heart" was released as the fourth single from the album. Its official remix was produced by Pascal & Pearce and appeared on the album's deluxe edition. The music video for "Heart" was directed by Jeana Theron of Velocity Films and aided by the non-profit organization, Great Heart. The video was shot in three days, and a full hour was spent shooting 12 frames.[13][14]

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. It explores themes of agony and despair, as well as the acceptance and curing that comes 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.[15][16] The music video for "Memoriam" was filmed in Gauteng by Fausto Becatti.[17]

Critical reception edit

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
The Times8/10
You     
Channel 24     

Due Drop received generally positive reviews from music critics. Channel 24's Georgina Marques awarded the album 3 stars out 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."[6] 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".[18]

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".[5] TimesLIVE writer Lebohang Nthongoa said it is "catchy and has a vibe all its own".[19] You magazine gave the album a 4 stars out of 5.[20] 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."[21]

Accolades edit

Year Awards ceremony Award description(s) Results Ref
2013 South African Music Awards Best Pop Album Won [22]
Newcomer of the Year Won
Metro FM Music Awards Best Top 5 Produced Album Nominated [23]
Best Top 5 Female Album
Best Top 5 Newcomer
Top 5 Styled Artist/Group

Track listing edit

No.TitleProducer(s)Length
1."With You (Intro)" (featuring The Soil) 0:50
2."Are You Gonna Stay?" 4:10
3."Heart" 4:04
4."Yeah Hell Yeah (With You)" 3:53
5."Love is in the Air" 4:29
6."Memoriam" 4:38
7."Pump It On"Jax Panik4:25
8."Love Takes Time" 3:45
9."It's All Good"Octave Couplet2:39
10."Jai Lover" 5:00
11."Say It Out" 3:24
Deluxe version
No.TitleProducer(s)Length
12."Losing My Love" (featuring Ross Jack)Justin Denobrega3:41
13."Say It Out" 3:26
14."Pump It On (Classy Menace Remix)"Classy Menace3:32
15."Love is in the Air (Classy Menace Remix Radio Edit)"Classy Menace3:18
16."Heart (Pascal & Pearce Remix)"Pascal & Pearce6:20
Super deluxe version (DVD)
No.TitleDirector(s)Length
17."Pump It On"
  • Tristan Holmes
  • Adam Thal
4:29
18."Love is in the Air" 4:29
19."Are You Gonna Stay?" 3:47
20."Heart"Jeana Theron3:47

Personnel edit

  • 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 edit

Digital platform Date Version Format Label
iTunes (South Africa) 23 April 2012 Standard
Sony Music Entertainment Africa
25 February 2013[24] Deluxe
22 February 2013[25] Super Deluxe
  • DVD
  • digital download

References edit

  1. ^ "Due Drop by Toya Delazy". itunes.apple.com. iTunes. 23 April 2012. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  2. ^ "Toya Delazy announces debut album 'Due Drop' Out 16 April". Muse Magazine. 28 March 2012. Archived from the original on 28 July 2014. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  3. ^ "Toya Delazy certified gold". Kickoff.com. 9 May 2014. Archived from the original on 24 July 2014. Retrieved 17 July 2014.
  4. ^ "Toya Delazy: Due Drop". Channel O. 27 March 2012. Archived from the original on 25 July 2014. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  5. ^ a b Maunatlala, Molebogeng (30 April 2012). "Toya's album "Due Drop" a must have". Go Xtra News. Archived from the original on 26 July 2014. Retrieved 17 July 2014.
  6. ^ a b Marques, Georgina (15 May 2013). "Toya Delazy - Due Drop Deluxe". channel24.co.za. Channel 24. Archived from the original on 25 July 2014. Retrieved 17 July 2014.
  7. ^ Keylock, Miles (22 May 2012). "Toya Delazy". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 25 July 2014. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  8. ^ "Toya Delazy, South Africa's Most Exciting New Artist, Set For Pan- African Breakthrough With Debut Single 'Pump It On'". ROCKSTAR4000. March 24, 2012. Archived from the original on April 7, 2014. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
  9. ^ Arts. "Toya Delazy | 200 young South Africans". Ysa2013.mg.co.za. Archived from the original on 5 June 2014. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  10. ^ "Love Is In the Air - Single by Toya Delazy". itunes.apple.com. iTunes. 2 April 2012. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  11. ^ "Toya Delazy - "Are You Gonna Stay?"". Rolling Stone. 29 August 2012. Archived from the original on 25 July 2014. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  12. ^ "Toya Delazy - "Are You Gonna Stay?"". Rolling Stone. 29 August 2012. Archived from the original on 25 July 2014. Retrieved 19 July 2014.
  13. ^ "Toya Delazy duly redrops phatter "Due Drop"". Showbiz One. 23 October 2012. Archived from the original on 26 July 2014. Retrieved 19 July 2014.
  14. ^ Kona, Bongani (25 October 2012). "Video: Toya Delazy 'Heart'". Okay Africa. Archived from the original on 25 July 2014. Retrieved 19 July 2014.
  15. ^ "15 of the best SA songs of 2013". Channel 24. 19 December 2013. Archived from the original on 26 July 2014. Retrieved 19 July 2014.
  16. ^ "Toya Delazy Releases Sixth Single Off 'Due Drop'". Miznformed. 24 June 2013. Archived from the original on 26 July 2014. Retrieved 19 July 2014.
  17. ^ "Toya Delazy Memoriam Music Video". LW Magazine. Archived from the original on 26 July 2014. Retrieved 19 July 2014.
  18. ^ Vieira, Genevieve (29 April 2012). "Toya Delazy – Due Drop Album". Indie Does It. Archived from the original on 26 July 2014. Retrieved 17 July 2014.
  19. ^ Nthongoa, Lebohang (25 October 2012). "Album review: Toya Delazy - 'Due Drop'". Times Live. Archived from the original on 25 July 2014. Retrieved 17 July 2014.
  20. ^ "CD: Toya Delazy – Due Drop". you.co.za. You Magazine. 10 May 2012. Archived from the original on 20 July 2014. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  21. ^ Machovani, Nyeleti (23 July 2012). "A Music Review: Toya Delazy". radiobiz.co.za. Radio Biz. Archived from the original on 25 July 2014. Retrieved 17 July 2014.
  22. ^ "Pop Princess Toya Delazy on Music and Style". zenmagazineafrica.com. Zen Magazine. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  23. ^ Bucibo, Bonga (January 17, 2013). "Metro FM Music Awards Finalists Announcement 2013". Metro FM. Archived from the original on 2 August 2014. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  24. ^ "Due Drop - Deluxe by Toya Delazy". itunes.apple.com. iTunes. 25 February 2013. Archived from the original on 23 January 2015. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  25. ^ "Due Drop (Super Deluxe Version) by Toya Delazy". iTunes. 22 February 2013. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
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