Producer drops album to coincide with TV series

Garth ‘Hef the Chef’ Permall, 43, from Ottery originally from Portland, released his second album, Class of 2023, on Wednesday November 8. He has composed and produced the 17-track albumto coincide with the launch of the new series, Spinners, on Showmax, which features six tracks that he produces.

This album includes 19 South African artists, with sounds reminiscent of the early 2000s hip-hop and R&B music, and breaks the stereotype that Capetonian artists aren’t doing enough to collaborate with musician outside of the city, he says.

Hef said didn’t release any new singles this year so that he could research what listeners wanted.

“Drill music was huge in 2022, but it brought a wave of negativity with it. South African artists seem to emulate everything happening overseas, even the less appealing aspects,” he said.

Hef said Afrikaaps tunes had people dancing, and with the resurgence of 90’s fashion and music, R&B music was making a comeback too, he said.

“It was with these two concepts where my real work began.”

Hef sifted through numerous artists’ social media pages, SoundCloud links, YouTube channels, and recommendations from his partners to find the artists he featured on the album.

“Class of 2023 represents my cream of the crop,” he said. “It’s an emotional experience this time around. I wish my mom and dad was still around to hear what the artists and I have created. The story-telling and concepts are so real, it's a roller-coaster ride filled with so much emotion. I'm so proud and thankful to the artists for making my life story and theirs a reality. God has brought me the cream of the crop to complete my dream,” he said.