Chop Life, Vol. 1: Mzansi Chronicles

Consisting of artist Mr Eazi and Afrobeats selector DJ Edu, ChopLife SoundSystem aims to capture trending sounds from specific regions across the African continent. \"I\'m maintaining the freedom I\'ve always had,” Mr Eazi tells Apple Music. “Being able to transpose myself from one city to another.\" Traveling the southerly route in the first instalment of the Chop Life series, *Mzansi Chronicles* heroes amapiano while tapping into the richness of South African dance music by folding in elements of tribal, big room and deep house. “*Mzansi Chronicles* is an ode to the amapiano sound that has been the soundtrack to my parties and me going to clubs.” Mr Eazi says. “It’s me working with some of my favourite artists and capturing my interpretation of elements I love from the scene.” Enmeshing himself in the amapiano world, Mr Eazi positions himself as both creator and curator of these enjoyment-driven rhythms. “This is the part of music I presently love the most—which is curating experiences and DJ mixes,” he says. “I believe African music is going to get to the point where it’s not just \[about\] the artist, but it’s the music and the total experience.” The genre’s leading artists and producers inform the sonic direction of this compilation, with Focalistic, Joey B, Ami Faku, 2woshort, ANATII, Stompiiey, Nkosazana Daughter, Aymos and Moonchild Sanelly adding their twist to soundscapes shaped by DJ Tárico, LuuDaDeejay, Type A, Milan Rendall, Soul Jam, Mellow & Sleazy, Mathondos and Ghetto Boy. “That’s the entire idea behind ChopLife SoundSystem,” Mr Eazi reveals. “I can collaborate with as many different artists and producers, executive produce and present it to the world.”