Mozambique: Laylizzy sees success with new video

Directed by Mazi Jizzle and George Beke, the ‘Forever’ video also premiered on MTV Base today at 7am. ‘Forever’, which is produced by Fly Beatz & Ellputo, is also available on Apple Music and iTunes.

Music In Africa spoke to Laylizzy, real name Edson Abel Jeremias Tchamo, who said the song was influenced by his personal life experiences. “What inspired the song was the experience I've watched artists go through and my own personal experience. Singing felt like it would get the point across better and express the pain of the song.,” he said.

Asked about any future remixes, the rapper said: “I am still thinking about remixes. I'm honestly not big on remixes but we'll see."

The video was shot in Johannesburg at three different locations: Soweto, a studio and a house. It was shot over the course of a day in February this year.

Released on Valentine’s Day, ‘Forever’ is sung in English and Portuguese. Its video depicts a relationship drama as Laylizzy pours out his feelings through the music.

You want me to stay

That’s why you misplaced my keys today to the Mercedes

But you can keep that car, doctor, doctor, you can’t keep my heart

The ‘On the Road’ hitmaker seems unapologetic while simultaneously encountering mixed feelings about the dilemma that he is experiencing.

Signed to pan-African label Geobek Records, Laylizzy has made waves in Mozambique’s neighboring countries. His music earned him an award for Best Hip Hop Song at the 2015 Mozambique Music Awards. That same year, he won in hip hop magazine HYPE’s Newcomers Delight category.

Last year in September, the rapper teamed up with South Africa’s AKA on a single called ‘Hello’. The song and video received massive airplay on radio and TV and topped a number of local charts. It premiered on MTV Base, TV Miramar in Mozambique and South Africa’s e.tv.