SAVEHXPE REDEFINES AFRICAN HIP-HOP WITH RETRO-FUTURIST ANTHEM, “80S BABY”
Rising Lesotho-raised South African rapper and producer saveHXPE returns with a bold new single, “80s Baby,” featuring the effortlessly charismatic BabyDaiz. Fusing nostalgic textures with forward-facing ambition, the track is a vibrant reclamation of African identity, challenging global stereotypes and rewriting the sonic DNA of hip-hop.
“80s Baby” is not just a song — it’s a broadcast. It bleeds swagger, satire, and survival into every verse, merging analog soul with digital hustle. Born from a beat that instinctively evoked the ’80s, saveHXPE built a cinematic world that mirrors the grit of township streets and the gloss of vintage fashion spreads. BabyDaiz steps into this soundscape with velvet delivery and sharp-witted bars, turning what could’ve been a throwback into a full-blown cultural reset.
“This isn’t nostalgia — it’s a takeover,” says saveHXPE. “We’re flipping the script on what African rap is supposed to sound like.”
saveHXPE | SUPPLIED
The production, layered with lo-fi soul samples and intricate drum patterns, sits somewhere between cassette tape memories and tomorrow’s party soundtrack. It’s experimental yet grounded — a style that has earned saveHXPE over 3.3 million Spotify streams to date and co-signs from legends like Erykah Badu and Khuli Chana has mentioned him as one of his Top 5 Hip Hop artists.
Known for his genre-defying approach, saveHXPE’s previous work, including his acclaimed EP still deciding, has cemented him as a voice for a generation unbothered by borders. With “80s Baby,” he doubles down — mixing swagger with sincerity, fashion with fury, and beats with meaning.
The accompanying visuals mirror the song’s retro-futurist aesthetic — glitching between VHS realism and high-fashion editorial, capturing the feel of a revolution in motion.
“80s Baby” is available now on all major streaming platforms: https://music.empi.re/80sbaby