When YOUNG dropped, The Big Hash boldly declared it would be the hottest project to hit South Africa in the last decade. Three years later, it’s clear he wasn’t bluffing. Produced by 808x and featuring collaborators like A-Reece, Flvme, and Solve The Problem, YOUNG is a genre-bending 15-track mixtape that fuses R&B melodies with hard-hitting hip-hop bars. At just 19 years old when the project dropped, The Big Hash delivered a vibrant, unapologetic soundtrack of youthful ambition, love, and rebellion that continues to resonate with Gen Z and beyond.
From the drop of “Palm Trees” to the timeless lyricism of “Outcast,” YOUNG cemented The Big Hash as more than just a rising star—he’s the new voice of his generation.
A Gen Z Pop Culture Bible
If there’s one thing The Big Hash knows, it’s how to speak Gen Z’s language. YOUNG is a crash course in cultural literacy, packed with sharp references that hit just right. “The Usual (Yu-Gi-Oh!)” leans into the iconic manga with lines like “gotta play your cards right, this ain’t Yu-Gi-Oh,” blending clever wordplay with nostalgia. The nods don’t stop there: “Harden” name-drops basketball legend James Harden with a playful “ball like Harden,” while “Rich (Super Saiyan)” channels Dragon Ball Z’s Goku and his explosive Super Saiyan form to highlight Hash’s own rise to greatness. Even the late Tupac gets a shout-out on “Plug Nice” with a Makaveli-inspired flex. Hash effortlessly merges street cred and fandom, crafting tracks that resonate with anyone tapped into pop culture.
Young, Gifted, and Misunderstood
Loneliness is a recurring theme throughout YOUNG, and The Big Hash doesn’t shy away from his own struggles. Tracks like “Outcast” and “Nothing Comes Free” explore the isolation of success, with Hash admitting, “I was always lonely, ain’t no difference at the top.” Whether you’re a loner by choice or circumstance, Hash captures the bittersweet experience of feeling out of place—a sentiment many young people can relate to.
This isn’t just a mixtape for the cool kids, though. On “Save Me,” the intro track, Hash opens up about an estranged relationship with his father, spitting, “Dad MIA so my uncle had to play middleman.” It’s raw, it’s real, and it reflects the reality for so many South Africans dealing with absent fathers. YOUNG is a mixtape that reminds us that even icons come from messy, complicated beginnings.
Love in the Digital Age
The Big Hash might be all about the hustle, but he still makes time for love—well, kind of. On “Circles,” Hash sings about the heartbreak of modern romance, from ghosting to endless games: “Why you running me in circles?” It’s the ultimate Gen Z heartbreak anthem, capturing the chaos of failed talking stages and “situationships.”
But not every R&B track is full of heartbreak. On “On You,” Hash flips the script with an ode to that one person who’s just different. Singing, “They ain’t got sh*t on you,” he shows that beneath the cool exterior, there’s room for a little vulnerability—and a lot of love.
School’s Out, Big Moves Are In
Hash’s dropout story is well-documented on YOUNG, but it’s not told with regret—it’s all flex. On “Palm Trees,” he raps, “Dropped out of school second term,” and on “Plug Nice,” he adds, “It’s funny how I’m hot but don’t know sh*t about degrees.” It’s a middle finger to traditional routes, a celebration of self-made success. At just 19, The Big Hash chose music over school, and it’s clear he’s thriving.
He’s not just a dropout; he’s a certified teenage icon. By 2020, MTV Base crowned him the king of the New Wave, listing him as one of the Hottest MCs. Add in brand deals like Adidas and a SoundCloud fanbase that rivals most rappers, and you’ve got a star who didn’t just make it—he defined it.
Still YOUNG, Still Timeless
Three years later, YOUNG isn’t just a mixtape—it’s a moment in South African music history. It’s about growing pains, pop culture, flexes, heartbreak, and everything in between. It’s as if The Big Hash bottled up the Gen Z experience and pressed play. If YOUNG taught us anything, it’s that The Big Hash wasn’t just a teenage icon—he’s an artist with staying power.