The Needle / Botswana

"The Needle / Botswana" brings together a wide-ranging blend of hip hop, amapiano, trap, and soulful melodies, connecting global sounds with a strong Southern African pulse. Tracks like Vetkuk and Mahoota’s “Bula Nthweo” and DJ Zinhle’s “Mdali” offer a lively, percussive base for amapiano fans, while Ama Grootman’s piano remix of “UMAMA Owangizalayo” leans into a more emotional, groove-driven vibe. From there, the playlist moves fluidly between moody alt hip hop like tendai’s “I Deserve It,” and melodic trap cuts such as “Drip Check” by Desiigner and “Tender” by YRN Quavo.

There’s also a mix of introspective and atmospheric moments—Sinmidele’s “heaven on earth,” Cinderhaze by Stumbleine, and “Romela” by Sereetsi & The Natives bring softness and space to the tracklist. Contemporary African pop collides with global rap through artists like GloRilla, Megan Thee Stallion, KMAT, and Key Glock, keeping tempos unpredictable and textures layered. Overall, it's a playlist that threads urban and local sounds into a steady stream of shifting energy, cool beats, and moments of calm reflection.