The Cape Creative Collective and myself are no strangers to fresh, bold sounds that reflect the pulse of South African artistry, and SSY’s latest release, Hero’s Journey, is a shining testament to the power of collaboration, soul, and growth in music. A member of LGNDRY collective, SSY (Sphe Nzuza) has carved his own niche within South Africa’s vibrant hip-hop scene. Having spent the better part of his adult life honing his craft in Cape Town, SSY’s journey as an artist has been one of constant evolution, with a clear purpose: to craft music that speaks truth, soul, and affirmation to his listeners.

Hero’s Journey is a product of his ongoing collaboration with Dreamingflowers, the Canadian production duo whose rich, dusty beats have created the perfect sonic landscape for SSY to share his reflections on growth, self-empowerment, and the journey to self-actualization. Their chemistry together was first realized on the album Glitch Perfect, and they’ve continued to expand on this artistic alliance, with SSY promising more releases on the horizon. It’s this fusion of SSY’s poetic lyricism and Dreamingflowers’ signature instrumentation that makes Hero’s Journey so unique—musically and thematically.

In a recent chat I had with him, SSY explained the essence of his latest track: “My style is very unique, and to get an instrumental that’s vibrant and doesn’t sound like anything else out there was exciting,” he shared. “The producers of the track are amazing, and this release allowed me to speak my mind without too much noise in a clean-cut way. I love making music with a message, something positive and uplifting. No melodic distractions for this one, just straight poetry direct.”

While SSY’s name might be synonymous with the creative energy of The LGNDRY collective, which includes frequent collaborators like Aux Heat Wes, it’s clear that SSY’s journey as a solo artist is one marked by a continual search for authenticity. His influences are vast, spanning from choral and acappella to the gritty wordplay of hip-hop’s finest—artists like The Underachievers, RetcH, and Action Bronson. Yet, with Hero’s Journey, he stands tall as a solo artist, one whose music serves as a reminder that growth and self-empowerment are not just themes, but personal calls to action.