South African hip-hop titan and pioneer of African Trap, Emtee, delivers a monumental body of work with his long-awaited project, DIY 3 (Deluxe).Released under Emtee Records in partnership with EMPIRE, the album serves as the third chapter in his defining DIY series, showcasing an artist at the absolute peak of his maturity, resilience, and creative power.
Stretching across 17 meticulously crafted tracks, DIY 3 (Deluxe) captures Big Hustle expanding his signature melodic trap wheelhouse into deeper sonic territories, seamlessly blending heavy 808s with elements of R&B, Afropop, and street-ready bounce. The album serves as both an intimate diary of his personal and professional journey and a victory lap celebrating his enduring legacy in African rap culture.
The project features a stellar lineup of heavyweights and vibrant new-wave talents. High-profile collaborations include Young Stunna on the genre-bending crossover hit “DREAMS 2.0” and “BENITHINI NGAM’”, Sjava and Lowfeye on the soulful anthem “4 DA TRENCHES”, and long-time ATM brother Saudi on the loyalty-focused track “KEEP IT REAL”.Additionally, Loatinover Pounds and 25K join forces with Emtee on the deeply introspective track “FEELINGS,” while R&B sensation Nanette provides silky vocal textures on “WAKE UP”.
From hard-hitting street reflections like “AMANGA (READ THE ROOM)” and “WTS” (featuring Blue Pappi and Lacabra) to uplifting, spiritual cuts like “BLESSED” and “BELIEVER,”DIY 3 (Deluxe) balances raw vulnerability with effortless swagger. The production—handled by an elite team of beatmakers including Young2uunBeats, AstrxBeats, and Xivonaki Manzini—provides a dark, rich, and atmospheric canvas throughout.
DIY 3 (Deluxe) stands as a masterclass in modern African trap music. It reasserts Emtee’s crown as one of the continent’s most authentic and influential rap voices, offering a complete, highly replayable listening experience that solidifies his position at the summit of the game.
