Author, Rapper and Academic Sizwe Mpofu Walsh Talks about Music that Inspires and Shaped him
Album that reminds me of my childhood
Stevie Wonder’s ‘Conversation Peace’. My dad lent it to me when I was about ten, and I still remember many of the songs today. I also liked the Lion King’s accompanying album and Eminem’s Marshall Mathers LP.
Album that never gets boring
Nas’ ‘Illmatic’. A work of unparalleled lyricism.
Best hip-hop album of all time
Nas’ ‘Illmatic’ again. It had the greatest impact on me as a lyricist.
Album that reminds me of my days in Oxford
There are two songs (not albums) that remind me of my time at Oxford. The first is the Yacht Club Remix of ‘Runaway’ by Galantis. The second is from the Hamilton Cast Album: ‘My Shot’.
Album playing while I was writing my current project
The biggest musical influence on my new project is the Hamilton Cast Album. It’s a recording of Hamilton, the Musical – the story of Alexander Hamilton told through rap. I’m also listening to Kendrick Lemar’s ‘DAMN.’.
Album that I think should be re-released
Entity’s ‘Royal School of hip-hop’. That’s where it all started for me, AKA, and many other artists, like Greyhound and Buks.
Album I wish I’d made
From the recent releases, I really like Solo’s ‘Dreams.B.Plenty’ album. But there are so many I wish I’d made.
Get up and go album
I tend to listen to playlists instead of just one album. Right now I have a playlist with everything from Maraza and Dope Saint Jude, to Afreux and Panic! At the Disco.
Album I played during early days of my career
In some ways, these are the early days of my career. So many of the albums listed above fall into that category.
Album that shaped me as a man
Kanye West’s ‘Graduation’. That came out the same year that I went to the mountain, and I remember playing it all through that year.
Album that made me fall in love
RJ Benjamin’s ‘Who I am’. That came out when I was falling in love for the first time. I also remember singing ‘Beautiful Girls’ by B.O.B. often to the woman who is now my wife.
Album that inspired my current project
The Democracy and Delusion book and album project is really the sum of all my musical influences. I couldn’t pick one album that inspired it alone. You’ll hear the diversity of influences when it comes out in August!
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