GwapCity SmartCity Mixtape Volume 1 Bridges Global Music Communities
TL;DR
The GwapCity SmartCity Mixtape Volume 1 offers artists a unique platform to showcase their talent globally, bridging continents and cultures for unparalleled exposure.
GwapCity SmartCity Mixtape Volume 1 was produced by Shorto in Trinidad & Tobago, with mixing and mastering split between Shorto in the Americas and Street Keys in Africa, showcasing a dual-engine production approach.
This mixtape unites voices from diverse regions, promoting healing and purpose through music, and transforming forgotten areas into globally connected cultural hubs.
A cassette-themed album blending nostalgia with modern vision, featuring a prayer and a prime minister's alert, symbolizing readiness and reverence across continents.
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The GwapCity SmartCity Mixtape Volume 1 has been completed, marking a significant moment in global music collaboration that brings together artists from Canada, the USA, South Africa, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, and Zimbabwe. This cassette-themed album combines diverse artistic voices under unifying themes of resilience, purpose, and presence, creating a musical bridge between continents and cultures. The project's structure features Side A opening with a message from the Prime Minister of Trinidad & Tobago and Side B beginning with a solemn prayer, establishing both political and spiritual dimensions to the collaborative work.
Recorded across multiple continents, the mixtape connects grassroots studios to a global message through its unique production approach. The technical excellence and authenticity of Caribbean sound merge with emerging African talent through the collaboration between Shorto of Trinidad & Tobago's 3IO Music Group and Street Keys from Zimbabwe. This dual-engine production methodology not only showcases musical diversity but also symbolizes the global bridge central to the SmartCity vision, demonstrating how artistic partnerships can transcend geographical boundaries while maintaining cultural authenticity.
The mixtape's upcoming releases include the premiere of the official video for 'Grung' by Shorto & Dre Mafia and the full mixtape release scheduled for July 17, 2025. This date carries symbolic significance, being aligned with Genesis 8:4 which represents a moment of landing from storm to solid ground. This theme resonates deeply with executive producer Merkus Amani's personal journey of healing and renewed purpose, connecting the project's artistic vision with profound personal transformation. The mixtape serves as a testament to music's power to unite voices from Luveve to Los Angeles, blending nostalgia with modern vision while maintaining artistic integrity.
Each track within the GwapCity SmartCity Mixtape Volume 1 functions as a declaration of purpose, sparking healing and acting as a strategic sound in the movement toward global cultural connectivity. The project stands as evidence that music can transcend traditional boundaries while maintaining cultural specificity, creating a model for future international collaborations that honor both local authenticity and global vision. Through its combination of diverse artistic perspectives and production approaches, the mixtape establishes new possibilities for cross-continental creative partnerships in the digital age.
Curated from 24-7 Press Release

