We Speak Music
iSandi Reveals New Single ‘Joina’
‘Joina’ doesn’t arrive so much as it gathers momentum — a slow convergence of voices, histories, and intent shaped through iSandi’s collaboration with RADA Unearthed. At its core, the track is a statement of collective responsibility, but it refuses the bluntness of slogan in favour of something more textured, more human.
iSandi’s background in the Eastern Cape of South Africa is not just biographical detail — it is foundational to how she hears and builds sound. Raised amid wide rural landscapes and guided by a storytelling-rich upbringing under her aunt’s care, she developed an early sense that narrative could hold both memory and meaning simultaneously.
That sensibility translates directly into her music. ‘Joina’ is built on Afro-experimental frameworks that stretch and bend rather than settle. There’s a fluidity to its harmonic language, where Western structure meets something more instinctive and communal, creating a sonic environment that feels open rather than contained.
Lyrically and conceptually, the track engages with substance addiction and societal fragmentation through a lens of compassion. It avoids abstraction and avoids exploitation, instead holding space for the realities of harm while insisting on the possibility — and responsibility — of repair. Unity here is not aesthetic; it’s active labour.
Within the context of RADA Unearthed Volume 3, the track contributes to a larger conversation about music as social engagement. But iSandi’s voice remains distinct: shaped by teaching, composition, performance, and ambient sound design, she moves fluidly between disciplines, always returning to the same core idea — that music can be both witness and bridge.
Connecticut wordsmith Suave-Ski returns with an audio burner of high proportions. “Burnin & Learnin” is an all-star track, which includes a guest feature from Hieroglyphics rhyme-sniper Casual and boasts a co-production credit from Dead Perry & Apathy.
A smoked-out concoction of ghostly keys, snappin’ drums and a screwed & chopped vocal sample asking “you want to get high?” the two emcees hold lyrical court. When asked if the song is about a literal or metaphorical high, Suave-Ski responded with “both, in a sense that it’s a reset after a long day of grinding, but also that our music is audio dope for those who want a lift.”
Listen to “Burnin & Learnin” ft. Casual: https://youtu.be/suP7iq0ImwM?si=VDfpDWlDpG5-BKUW
Listen to “Burnin & Learnin” ft. Casual via Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/6fjsq79FfqcIhPw0J1Hppa?si=b499a0f9d2714dea
The genesis of the beat is also something special, as its first incarnation only had 808’s in the bass register of the track. Deciding it needed a bass-line, Dead Perry enlisted his comrade Lil Jay (who is a multi-platinum producer in his homeland of Denmark). After laying down the verses, Suave-Ski played the rough mix for emcee legend/Demigodz/Army Of The Pharaohs own Apathy. Speaking on that link-up Suave-Ski explained, “Apathy is a mentor and big brother to me, we’ve been collaborating for years now (both on tracks and tours) and he’s always helped where he can. When I played him the rough mix he said he wanted to add a sample and touch it up, I asked Perry if it was cool and he said absolutely! Apathy did some final executive production on it and mixed it down; the final product came out fire!”
With a decade plus in hip-hop, Suave-Ski has also collaborated with artists including Your Old Droog, Blacastan, Sadat X, GT Garza and Krystal Poppin. A seasoned live performer, in addition to touring with Apathy, he also hit stages across North America with Chris Webby, through Europe with ILL BILL and the Snowgoons and one-offs with Styles P, Dave East and Locksmith. His radio appearances include Statik Selektah’s Show Off Radio, The Punchline Academy and an interview with DJ Drewski (Hot 97). A positive force in his local community, Suave-Ski also holds the honors of Connecticut Arts Hero Award (2021) and CT Top 40 Under 40 (2022).
More Info: https://www.instagram.com/suaveskimusic/
https://www.instagram.com/casualrapgod
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