Due Drop

Due Drop is the debut studio album by South African singer Toya Delazy. It was released by SME Africa on 23 April 2012. The album is a fusion of JEHP, an acronym for Jazz, Electro, Hip hop, and Pop. Due Drop received generally positive reviews from music critics, who commended its production, sound and commercial appeal. The album sold over 20,000 copies and was awarded a Gold plaque by the Recording Industry of South Africa. The deluxe edition won Best Pop Album at the 2013 South African Music Awards and received two nominations at the 2013 Metro FM Music Awards.

Background
Due Drop's standard edition features The Soil and the deluxe edition features Ross Jack. The album was supported by the singles "Pump It On", "Love Is In the Air", "Are You Gonna Stay?", "Heart", and "Memoriam". The artwork for all three installments of the album was conceptualized and created by photographer Ross Garrett. Production for the album's standard edition was primarily handled by Jax Panik, along with assistance from the Joburg-based production duo Octave Couplet. The album's deluxe edition includes additional production and remixes from Justin Denobrega, Pascal & Pearce, and Classy Menace.

Composition
The song "Love is in the Air" has elements of house groove beats. "Are You Gonna Stay?" is a mid tempo song; Delazy's vocals on the song is reminiscent of Nicki Minaj. "Jai Lover" is an electro pop song with Zulu lyrics. "Yeah Hell Yeah (With You)" is an ode to her sexual instincts. Delazy meditated and thought in silence on the broken hearted ballad "Love Takes Time". "Memoriam" is an electro anthem centered around the loss of love and life.

Singles
"Pump It On" was released as the album's lead single on 28 October 2011. The song was produced by Jax Van Heerden and Johnny Deridder. It received substantial airplay on 5FM and Metro FM. The music video for "Pump It On" was released on 15 November 2011.

On 2 April 2012, SME Africa released "Love Is In the Air" as the album's second single. Its music video was uploaded to Vevo on 26 March 2012. Classy Menace's remix of the song appeared on the album's deluxe edition. The album's third single, "Are You Gonna Stay", was released simultaneously with its video on 27 July 2012.

"Heart" was released as the fourth single from the album. Its official remix was produced by Pascal & Pearce and appeared on the album's deluxe edition. The music video for "Heart" was directed by Jeana Theron of Velocity Films and aided by the non-profit organization, Great Heart. The video was shot in three days, and a full hour was spent shooting 12 frames.

The album's fifth single, "Memoriam", was released on 30 September 2013. The song was written to honor one of Delazy's teachers who died in 2009. It explores themes of agony and despair, as well as the acceptance and curing that comes with time. Delazy said writing the song alleviated some of her psychological and emotional trauma. Channel 24 included "Memoriam" on their list of the 15 Best SA songs of 2013. The music video for "Memoriam" was filmed in Gauteng by Fausto Becatti.

Critical reception
Due Drop received generally positive reviews from music critics. Channel 24's Georgina Marques awarded the album 3 stars out 5, calling it "unashamedly pop" and praising Delazy's musical background and classical training. Moreover, Marques believes the album's songs "transcend the superficial genre and offer a more layered and interesting sound." In a review for Indie Does It, Genevieve Vieira said the album is "altogether satisfactory" and commended Delazy for having "everything it takes, from the style, to the voice, flair and talent".

Writing for GoXtra News, Molebogeng Maunatlala said the album is accommodating because it "satisfies all the music lovers, and goes from Jazz, soul, hip hop to house". TimesLIVE writer Lebohang Nthongoa said it is "catchy and has a vibe all its own". You magazine gave the album a 4 stars out of 5. In a less enthusiastic review, Nyeleti Machovani of Radio Biz said the lyrics "do not offer much depth" and that the heavy use of auto-tune is "a distraction to an artist who otherwise, has more to show."

Personnel

 * Latoya Buthelezi – primary artist, composer
 * Jax Panik – producer
 * Octave Couplet – producer
 * Justin Denobrega – producer
 * Classy Menace – producer
 * Pascal & Pearce – producer
 * Ross Jack – featured artist
 * The Soil – featured artist