BY NOSIPHO MABUZA
PIGGS PEAK- Village boys Sky Jay and Mxepy shine bright with powerful Badede cover.
From the quiet hills of Ntfonjeni under Piggs Peak, a rising star is making waves in Eswatini’s music scene. Meet Sky Jay, a young artist whose passion for music has driven him from recording on his phone to releasing a promising cover single, Badede, a song originally by Thaifo son, produced by the talented Young Keys.
The single is a collaboration between Sky Jay and his close friend-turned-brother, Mxepy, with whom he has formed a strong musical bond. “We’ve been working on this single banger as a combination of Sky Jay and my brother who’s always there, Mxepy. Since this single banger has been released, some are showing love and support, and for doing so we are pushed to make more,” Sky Jay shared.
Their Badede cover has already captured attention from fans, teachers at their school, and fellow artists in the local industry. Sky Jay explained that they chose the song to pay homage to Swazi music and to gain recognition from established artists who might help promote their talent.
Although they call themselves “village boys,” the response has been overwhelming. “Many people are really amazed by such from village boys like us, and they are giving us credit for such great work,” he said. “My followers mean everything to me because we are nothing without listeners.”
Sky Jay’s love for music started in 2020, but his journey has not been easy. With no resources to record professionally, he first used a mobile studio app called Voloco. Things changed when a fellow artist, Gupta, introduced him to a proper studio. Today, with the mentorship of producer Young Keys, Sky Jay feels more confident about his future. “Young Keys is a hardworking producer and a supportive one. He always gives us future ideas about music, so I thank him for being so.”
The duo’s cover does more than showcase talent, it carries a message. “I just bring a clear picture on our verses, like how to take care of your woman as a gentleman,” Sky Jay explained.
Despite facing criticism and financial struggles, Sky Jay remains grounded. “Some people were saying we’re wasting our time. Sometimes I struggled to pay for studio time. But every challenge has its solution. With God, everything is possible.”
The release of Badede has sparked curiosity, with many now asking, Who are Sky Jay and Mxepy? On Facebook, messages keep coming in, with artists requesting collaborations. For Sky Jay, this is only the beginning of a journey filled with determination, brotherhood, and faith.
“We promise to bring fire as a family in music,” he said.
(Courtesy Pic)
