Kae Chaps - It's Not Me, It's You Album Review

Kae Chaps has been one of the biggest winners of the Covid pandemic era. Juzi was a big hit when it dropped and to show he was not a one hit wonder he followed with the hit Huchapa and then another hit Gehena and another one with Impilo. His album Mavanga had been overlooked by many but since he blew up most have been streaming his whole discography and wondered how they did not know of the guy earlier. 

He has without doubt shown he means business, he has became the king of heartbreak music, probably taking over from the iconic Sanii Makhalima who used to hold that title, (a collaboration of the two will be flames). Kae Chaps has now dropped another project and have gotten my copy and today after some time of listening will be sharing my views and thoughts on the project.

As usual will be doing a track by track review and conclude with my overall thoughts.

1. Head High (Intro) 

On the intro Kae Chaps is saying will keep my head high despite the challenges I am facing. The production is done well. Kae Chaps delivered a good performance. 

2. Pasi (ft Nutty O)

Kae Chaps & Nutty O team up on this track where they are saying I want to live now, I want to enjoy life now before I die. The track is produced well, the arrangement is solid. 

3. Vana Vangu (ft Holy Ten)

Kae Chaps teamed up with Holy Ten on this track which talks about every parents wish and prayer. Ensuring the future of your kids is sorted before you depart from this earth. Kae Chaps was solid on the vocals, Holy Ten was good on his verse not his best of the Year but good. 

4. Sorry Boys (ft Jnr Brown)

This was the single released prior to the launch and it got the hype machine running. Kae Chapz and Jnr Brown are talking about how many will complain as you start moving up in life and begin to have less and less time for certain friends (especially those not developing at a similar pace or adding value to you). As you scale upwards in life certain friendships will die, its just natural. The production is well done, love the guitar work, it adds a nice flavour to the track. Kae Chaps was solid on the vocals, Jnr Brown delivered his usual flow.

5. Mota Inomhanya (Tracy Chapman Cover)

Kae Chaps gives his interpretation of the classic Tracy Chapman track Fast Car. He did a commendable job on the cover. The love story begins here. 

6. Peace of Mind (ft Gemma Griffiths)

Love the Yvonne Chaka Chaka Kana Uchema sample, it's such a beautiful song and it was integrated well. The production is spot on, the track has that uplifting vibe which is soothing, fitting for the theme. On the vocals Kae Chaps delivered a solid performance, Gemma was amazing, heavenly!! The two complimented each other beautifully. On this song the relationship is going well and your partner gives you peace of mind. 

7. Let It Burn (ft Nokutenda) 

Kae Chaps and Noku collaborate on this track whereby the cracks in the relationship are now showing, the fights are increasing, the two are realising the love is dying and deep down they are feeling like letting the whole thing burn. Kae Chaps starts getting suspicious as the lady is now extra protective of her phone. Production is done well. Kae Chaps and Nokutenda did well. 

8. Chandinoda Kuzivira

On this track Kae Chaps finally got hold of her woman's phone while she is asleep and found some suspicious chats now he wants to know if there is still hope, whether to carry on with the relationship. This is a situation many have experienced. The track is well produced. Kae Chaps was good on the vocals. 

9. Let Me Down (ft Killz) 

Kae Chaps and Killz take over from where the last song left and now Chaps cannot take it anymore and has come to terms with the fact that the relationship is dead. He is hurt and asking why after all the promises we made to each other, after all the memories did she have to let him down. The track is well produced. Kae Chaps was good on the vocals, Killz was a bit subdued, did not feel him that much. 

10. Hwisiri

Kae Chaps continues to say I changed my life to accommodate you and you let me down. You were the reason why I was coming to church, now that you broke me am no longer going. The production is done well. Chaps delivered a good performance. 

11. Nemoyo (ft Ti Gonzi)

After all that relationship drama Kae Chaps is saying will no longer fully invest into a relationship again, he has had enough heartbreaks, he has been taken advantage off many times. Ti Gonzi was in beast mode on his verse, delivering the bars and rhymes in an amazing way. Kae Chaps was also solid on the verses. Production is solid. 

12. Mad At Me

It's easy to forget that Kae Chaps started as a rapper before finding his break with heartbreak songs. On this track he is in a Rap mode, addressing those close people in his life who are now mad at him saying he has forgot them, he no longer listening to them but those are the same people that looked to the side when his life was dark and full of struggles. Production is done well, Kae Chaps delivered an emotional performance. 

13. I Don't Want To See You Again

Kae Chaps closes this project by saying you took advantage of me, I gave you my all but you just used me, I don't wanna see you anymore. The voice notes add that emotional touch, you can feel the pain in the ladies voice. The vocals are well executed, Kae Chaps was good and that lady who joined towards the end did a great job. Production is well done. 

Stream the album : It's Not Me, It's You

So ya that's it for this project and I have to say Kae Chaps delivered a commendable project here. 

The production is well done, the selected producers all did quite well. The arrangements are good throughout especially the ones with the acoustic guitar (Sorry Boys, Mota Inomhanya, Nemoyo, I Don't Wanna See You Again, Chandinoda Kuzivira) Kae Chap's vocals work very well with that guitar in the background. My favourite production and arrangement is on the track Peace of Mind where he featured Gemma, the Yvonne Chaka Chaka sample delivers that amazing nostalgic vibe to the track. 

Kae Chaps delivered a solid vocal performance throughout, he is one super talented vocalist and it shows throughout. The collaborations were well chosen, Gemma Killed it, Ti Gonzi snapped, Jnr Brown brought the iconic flow, Holy Ten and Nutty O did well, Nokutenda was okay, Killz was the only one who was underwhelming. 

Kae Chaps is now known as the new heartbreak king, he continues to prove why he deserves that title. He started the album by showing his resolve against challenges, his personal dreams such as getting to enjoy life now on Pasi and at the same time creating a good future for your children whilst you're still alive and also addresses the struggle of success to his friendship. After that from Mota Inomhanya we start getting the heartbreak story we came here for, the It's Not Me, It's You part. At the start the guy is wishing the best for the relationship, wishing they had a car n could drive away to where they can be free, the lady those days is the guys peace of mind. Then the cracks start to appear, the fights increase, the guy sees suspicious messages and trust is now lost, he fights within himself, he thinks of all they had been through, all the promises, the memories as he tries to come to terms with the end of the relationship. He had changed his life to accommodate the lady, he is now changed his approach to relationships, he has hardened his heart and now does not want to see the other person anymore. Love has taken him on a beautiful and painful route. 

To end this review this is a good project, enjoyed the heartbreak story, how it builds till the conclusion. R&B is still alive in Zim. Kae Chaps continues to prove his talents, I doubt there are still any doubters out there. This project has been a good listen and I recommend it to all fans of R&B music, especially those experiencing relationship problems. It will help you heal.  

My overall ratings: 7.5/10

Feel free to share your thoughts on the album in the comments section below.

Proud_Zimbo