COOLPIXIE EXPANDS BEYOND AFRO-BEAT ON THE EMOTIONALLY CHARGED “LOVE LAND (PHASE 1)”
Rising South African artist Coolpixie enters a new creative chapter with the release of LOVE LAND (Phase 1), a five-track EP blending Afrobeats, Amapiano and Hip-hop into a project centered on love, emotional honesty and human connection. The release marks a significant evolution in his artistry, both sonically and personally, as he broadens his sound while remaining rooted in the melodic foundations that first shaped his music.
Built from personal experiences and observations, LOVE LAND (Phase 1) functions less like a collection of standalone songs and more like an emotional map of modern relationships. Across the EP, Coolpixie moves between themes of intimacy, desire, loyalty, vulnerability and devotion, constructing a body of work designed to feel both personal and relatable. The project carries an intentional warmth throughout, balancing rhythm-driven production with emotionally direct songwriting.
LOVE LAND (PHASE 1) cover art | SUPPLIED
“The message behind the EP is simple,” says Coolpixie. “I want people to feel love by being in love and also give love to one another and walk away knowing that love conquers all.”
Serving as the EP’s lead single, “Thina Thina” captures the emotional foundation of LOVE LAND (Phase 1) through a message centered on unity, loyalty and choosing love despite external pressures. Translating to “Us Us,” the record leans into themes of commitment and emotional partnership, framing love not as escapism but as a conscious decision made against doubt, conflict and distraction. The track balances Afro-beat melodies with warm Amapiano textures, allowing Coolpixie to deliver one of the project’s most emotionally direct performances while reinforcing the EP’s broader focus on connection and emotional honesty.
Sonically, the project represents a deliberate expansion from his previous releases. While earlier work leaned heavily into Afro-beat, LOVE LAND (Phase 1) introduces stronger Amapiano textures and Hip-hop influences through both production choices and collaborative features. The shift allows the project to move more dynamically between moods while opening new dimensions within his sound.
Coolpixie | SUPPLIED
“What differs is that this EP has a flavour of Amapiano and Rap,” he explains. “Previously, most of the songs were mainly Afro-beat and I was alone on most of them. This time I wanted to collaborate and build something bigger.”
That collaborative spirit runs throughout the project. Recorded at Madambad Entertainment Studios, the EP brings together producers including Mr Kamera, Bayor97, Madlisa808 and Yung T Beatz, while featured appearances from Poobigntong, Bayor97, Blxvk Pluto, Emjaykay and El Professo help shape the project’s layered sonic identity. Despite the expanded creative circle, the writing process itself remained deeply instinctive and personal.
“Most songs started with melodies and lyric ideas in my head,” says Coolpixie. “Usually when I hear a beat, ideas start coming immediately and I begin recording notes or melodies on my phone.”
The EP’s emotional center arrives most clearly on “Your Body,” a track Coolpixie describes as the project’s most meaningful record. Built around themes of intimacy and emotional openness, the song captures a softer, more vulnerable side of the artist. Elsewhere, tracks like “Lengeloi” frame love as protection and spiritual grounding, while “Karabo” positions love itself as the answer to life’s uncertainty.
Coolpixie | SUPPLIED
The making of LOVE LAND (Phase 1) was not immediate. The project took nearly two years to complete from first idea to final master, shaped in part by periods of pause and creative recalibration along the way. That extended process ultimately allowed the music to develop with more intention and emotional clarity.
With LOVE LAND (Phase 1), Coolpixie positions himself within a growing generation of African artists using genre fusion not simply as experimentation, but as a way to communicate emotional complexity across audiences. As he continues expanding his sound without losing its emotional core, the project presents an artist growing more confident in both his vulnerability and creative identity. The release will also be supported by upcoming performances across multiple cities, including possible appearances in Limpopo and the Eastern Cape, with exclusive merchandise currently in development for release later this year.