Rising South African artist MSI has stepped forward with a bold announcement, revealing that his upcoming project, Long Live Lord N9NE Mixtape, is officially on the way. The reveal arrived via Instagram, where he shared the cover artwork alongside a detailed tracklist and an extensive lineup of featured artists who contribute to the project. The Instagram post also confirmed May 1 as the official release date, giving listeners a clear moment to anticipate.
The rollout carries a strong sense of intention, with the mixtape’s title and track names echoing themes of tribute, identity and legacy. Tracks such as “Long Live Njabulo” suggest a deeply rooted narrative that ties personal expression with collective recognition. Alongside this, MSI used the moment to acknowledge both his day one supporters and the creatives who helped shape the project.
“THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE MY DAY ONE LISTENERS NOW ISKHATHI😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸KYAXOVWA KE MANJE. ROUND OF A PLAUSE FOR THE LORDS WHO JOINED ME ON THIS BEAUTIFUL ART YALL ARE REALLY GIFTED🖤.”
The visual rollout is further strengthened by the inclusion of a visualiser tied to the project, which plays a central role in how the mixtape is being introduced. Rather than simply serving as an add-on, the visual component works as an extension of the music itself, offering a layered way for audiences to engage with the project’s tone and direction while keeping the focus firmly on the sound.
A key highlight already gaining attention is Mlazi, featuring Usimamane. The track stands out as one of the early releases connected to the mixtape and gives a glimpse into the sonic direction listeners can expect, blending MSI’s distinct style with a collaborative edge.
The mixtape brings together a wide range of contributors, including Usimamane, MacSoul, ISSI, Sastii, Dahoodhope, Iqhwa le Lokishi, Votron Gaws, Ficz100, F Eezysa, OG X, Carow Malone, Audio Simz, Sir Ivani, Tamsi 2.0, Expredator, Moett The Goat, 40 Wavv and Sean Kross. The breadth of collaborators reflects a project built on connection and shared creative direction.
MSI’s rise has been closely tied to his ability to merge modern rap elements with Zulu influences, carving out a distinct lane that resonates across different audiences. His work often explores themes tied to identity, lifestyle and expression, continuing to shape his growing catalogue with each release.
With Long Live Lord N9NE Mixtape, MSI presents a carefully assembled body of work that reflects both his journey and the people around him. The announcement, paired with its visual and musical previews, positions the project as one to watch as the May 1 release date approaches.
