Masego has released his self-titled album today on EQT Recordings/Capitol Records. The album arrives ahead of Masego’s upcoming North American tour, which is almost completely sold out in advance of its March 12 launch. Remaining tickets can be found HERE. Listen to the sophomore album now below.
“I’m very thankful of the journey. This went from a hobby to a job,” says Masego. “I was getting all the things that they say that you’re supposed to be fulfilled by and I wasn’t fulfilled by it. I had to do a re-evaluation of a lot of things. I said, ‘I can’t make this what I imagined it to be. So I cannot remain here. I need to move.’”
Masego is that movement. It’s a grand, eloquent and somewhat mischievous one, from an artist who thrives on mixing contemplation with extroversion, smoldering romance with knowing humor, studied musical discipline with exhilarating flights of intuition. For this deeply collaborative work, Masego sought out what he calls the “outliers, the savants” – people like Kelvin Wootan, Louie Lastic, Richie Souf, Monte Booker, WaveIQ and Rocaine. See below for track listing.
The album’s first three singles – “Two Sides (I’m So Gemini),” “You Never Visit Me” and “Say You Want Me” – have already racked up more than 15 million combined streams worldwide. Clash Magazine said, “‘Two Sides’ is a Gemini love story, with Masego attempting to stick up for this oft-maligned star sign. There’s a nimble vocal, one that expresses his playful side, while his jazz roots also shine through on a track that oozes charm.”