Usimamane says Tai Lung is his most emotional project yet
Umlazi-born rapper Usimamane says his upcoming album Tai Lung has been the most emotionally demanding work of his career so far.
Usimamane has opened up about the emotional toll of making his upcoming album, Tai Lung. According to SA Hip Hop Mag, the Umlazi-born rapper said on social media that no other project has brought him to tears the way this one has.
He explained that a close friend recently showed him his first project, 20th: Days Before Maud, and noted that he had been stressed to the point of crying back then too. By Usimamane’s account, the friend told him that the earlier project changed his life and that with this one he is “forever good”. He shared the exchange with fans alongside the hashtag #tailung.
A long road to the album
Tai Lung has been in development for some time. The project was first introduced through the G-Wagon Music: Baby Tai EP earlier in 2026. Since then, Usimamane has changed its direction several times and scrapped multiple versions while searching for a sound that better reflects his artistic vision.
He has also said he wants to put South Africa at the centre of the conversation before fully exploring international opportunities.
The album takes its name and inspiration from the character Tai Lung in Kung Fu Panda. It is expected to deal with betrayal, loss, pressure and personal transformation. SA Hip Hop Mag reports that the project should combine his trap sound with a more vulnerable side of his writing.
Collaborators teased
Usimamane has teased a list of collaborators that includes:
- Jacquees
- Emtee
- Blxckie
- Tony Dayimane
The list is not complete, as the report says these names are “among others”.
Why the comparison matters
20th: Days Before Maud helped establish Usimamane’s name in South African hip-hop. His friend’s comparison suggests that the pressure he felt then eventually led to a defining chapter in his career. This time he is working through a similar process, but with more experience and higher expectations.
What fans can expect next
The report does not give a release date or a tracklist for Tai Lung, and neither has been confirmed in the information available. Fans who want to follow the rollout should keep an eye on Usimamane’s own social media pages for official announcements, rather than relying on unconfirmed dates shared elsewhere.
This story is based on reporting by SA Hip Hop Mag.
