Rirhandzu- Love noun – abstract: An intense feeling of deep attraction. Pronunciation: Ree-rhaan-dzoo Similar: Ku rhandza- To love Mu Rhandzuwa mina - My Love Xavier Soft’s twelve track Album titled Rirhandzu, is a distinctly South African perspective on the reformatory power of love. Xavier encapsulates his entire artwork in a merging of his mother-tongue, Xitsonga, English, and a variety of other South African dialects, to produce a contemporary piece of hip-hop distinct to the South African sub-continent. Syncopated drumbeats and weirdly unique tonal modulations signature Xavier Soft’s sound; and his idiosyncratic inflections punctuate almost every track. A bubbly, up-beat poster child for this inclination to the peculiar is Company off the EP. A fast paced, low-fi instrumental underlies a contemporary ballad with Xavier spilling out admiration for the female counterpart as openly as he always does. In a hip-hop scene flooded with synth-beats, Xavier offers a taste of yesteryear with rich instrumentals. Sthof Sam’ Samalahla harkens back to an early 2000’s house-party vibe. A muted, reverbed piano sample alongside soft maracas offers a distinctly laid back south African feel. Xavier sets out to ground the listener within his contextual environment from the onset with his visualiser for the title track, Rirhandzu. Shot in the vibrant township of Alexandra, Xavier sets his story amongst the daily ongoings of kasi-life. The title track’s visuals are a symbolism of an embracing of young, black love in a South African social context wrought with struggle and the constant imperative to rise above the odds. Short-cut clips of female hands, entwined in dreadlocks, as Xavier raps in the streets signify the constant female elements in his life that groomed, nurtured, and prepared him for everyday obstacles. “I talk about going outside onto the streets and celebrating because suffering doesn't come to end. It’s wicked and horrid; but we must remember how love can free us from the shackles of suffering.