Emtee’s DIY series has always been a blueprint of his evolution as an artist, and with the release of DIY 3, the Soweto-born rapper Mthembeni Ndevu proves he’s still setting the pace in South African hip-hop. Following the 2015 DIY EP and its 2018 sequel, DIY 3 sees Emtee pairing his signature rhythmic flows with multilingual lyricism, drawing inspiration from the streets, his personal journey, and the family values that have shaped both his life and his music.
The Jr Ecko-helmed album artwork reinforces a recurring motif in Emtee’s discography: the familial. On tracks like the heartfelt “BLESSED,” Emtee openly celebrates his roots, his relationships, and the sense of responsibility that comes with his status—not just as a rapper, but as an OG in the South African hip-hop scene. Over the commanding bassline of “LARRY BIRD,” he confidently raps, “I started a wave now they wanna surf / Yeah you did it, but I did it first,” a testament to his enduring influence and self-awareness. Across DIY 3, this habitual balance of game knowledge, self-reflection, and authenticity surfaces on tracks like “GOOD TIME,” “KEEP IT REAL,” and “BELIEVER,” blending tales of the come-up with reflections on faith and staying true.
Musically, DIY 3 thrives on diversity. Emtee enlists Saudi, Just G, and Nanette to add colour to his melodic-trap canvas, seamlessly weaving Afropop, R&B, reggae, and African trap into a cohesive sonic experience. From the Eastern-flavoured “AMANGA [READ THE ROOM]” to the tropical vibes of “LIL NIGGA,” and the airy sensuality of “WAKE UP,” Emtee’s 808-driven production remains both familiar and exploratory. Whether he’s baring his soul or holding it close, DIY 3 is Emtee at his most confessional, seasoned with wisdom and grounded in the streets that raised him.
With DIY 3, Emtee isn’t just dropping another project; he’s reaffirming his position as a trailblazer, storyteller, and patriarch of South African hip-hop—a title earned through years of consistent craft, hustle, and reflection.
