Up-and-coming Pretoria rapper Rouge has bars. She held her own alongside Reason on her single “Bua” released a few months ago. Below she shares a list of her five favourite albums and why she likes them.

J. Cole – Forest Hill Drive

“I love this album because of the storytelling. It’s overwhelming not only in production, but also lyrically. Honestly, this is one of his best albums. Another thing I like about it is that in his tracks, he appears to be original and doesn’t give a damn about anything. The album is authentic, and I absolutely love the flow of lyrics in each track.”

Big Sean – Dark Sky Paradise

“I enjoy the balance of turn-up [and lyricism] in this album. It may not wholly shed his aspirations for a certain level of legitimacy, but it is by many lengths one of his best albums and probably the first one that’s closest to hitting an elusive sweet spot where his music works as mindless fun while still leaving you with just enough to chew on. The way Sean splatters words in each track and his energy is dope.”

Lauryn Hill – The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill 

“The [combination of] consciousness and soul music in this album is amazing. It’s one of those albums in which you just can’t skip a track. I like the way she expresses emotions on social concerns for the present moment and the future. What I like about this unique album is the way it encompassses and captures many influences from sin, love, depression, street life, wealth, the past, present and the future.”

Stevie Wonder – The Greatest Hits

“I have always been a fan of Stevie Wonder.  This album is full of songs that aren’t only delightful but also inspirational, and that’s what I like about it. His songs are just lyrically too beautiful. The album has an inimitable style. There is one song which is my personal favorite called “Superstition” in which Stevie plays every single instrument, and the way he holds the last note for long on “Redemption Song” is too wonderful!”

Jill Scott – The Light Of The Sun

“I like the rhythm in this album. The production is solid. I like the fact that Jill Scott finds an opening to leaven her singing with speech. I like how she honestly expresses her heartfelt emotions. She refuses to surrender the notion that life can be sweet, that’s why I enjoy the album’s tracks. ”

Follow Rogue on Twitter and Facebook. Also be sure to download her latest single, “Bua”, with Reason here.

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