The GwapCity SmartCity Mixtape Volume 1 marks a significant milestone in the music industry, showcasing a collaborative effort that spans continents, cultures, and generations. This project, spearheaded by MERKUS AMANI & ADONAIYAH YEARWOOD AKA SHORTO, is not just a collection of tracks but a prophetic soundscape titled 'Gun & Prayer: Protecting Purpose in Sound'. It represents a fusion of readiness and reverence, encapsulated in a cassette-themed album format that bridges the nostalgic with the contemporary.
Recorded across multiple continents, the mixtape features contributions from artists in Zimbabwe, Trinidad & Tobago, the USA, Jamaica, and South Africa, among others. The production credits highlight a unique dual-engine approach, with mixing and mastering handled separately in the Americas & Caribbean by Shorto and in the African hemisphere by Street Keys, a young talent from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. This approach not only ensures a unified sound rooted in Caribbean authenticity but also signals the emergence of new talent from the African continent.
The mixtape's release is set for July 17, 2025, a date symbolically aligned with Genesis 8:4, representing a moment of landing and renewal. This theme is further embodied by the executive producer Merkus Amani's personal journey of recovery and vision during the project's creation. The GwapCity SmartCity Mixtape Volume 1 is more than art; it's a declaration of purpose, a spark of healing, and a strategic act of sound that invites listeners to engage with music as a tool for global connectivity and cultural elevation.
Featuring artists like Cowboy Normara, Dre Mafia, and Flame Boy A, the mixtape is a testament to the power of collaboration across borders. The upcoming premiere of the official video for 'Grung' by Shorto & Dre Mafia on July 11, 2025, is eagerly anticipated, promising to further cement the mixtape's impact on the global music scene. The GwapCity SmartCity Mixtape Volume 1 is a bold step forward in reimagining cultural hubs and connecting creatives from the margins to the mainstream.
