South African rapper Ma-E has explained why his debut album “Township Counsellor” is currently unavailable on digital platforms, following a heartfelt message from a fan who said that the project has been on repeat in their household.
The moment began when one of his followers, Vuyelwa, reached out on social media and wrote: “@MaEzeeDoesIt, I cannot find your album ‘Township Counsellor’ and my babe and I love it so much. Wenzeni? Bring it back.
“We love that whole album, man, we do not skip any track, and we know all the lyrics.”
Ma-E responded directly to the fan, offering clarity and reassurance. “Sorry about that, I will bring it back soon, just looking for a good distribution deal,” he said.
“Township Counsellor” was released in 2016.
Born Ezee Hanabe, the rapper used the project to establish himself as a solo artist after years of success with the group Teargas.
The album title comes from a nickname given to him by people in his community, inspired by the way his lyrics often focus on motivation and real-life experiences.
Speaking about the name in a past interview, Ma-E explained: “Since my Teargas days, I have always been known for inspirational lyrics in my verses, and for some reason people just ended up calling me Township Counsellor.”
“Township Counsellor is the person who takes care of the people, ensures the streets are ok, and just motivates people with words.”
The album was released under K.O’s label Cashtime Life and features several respected artists in local hip hop. It carries strong township influence and blends storytelling with contemporary sounds.
The project includes 15 tracks, among them the fan favourite “Lie 2 Me” featuring AKA. Other collaborations include Emtee, Kid X, Moozlie and Maggz.
Ma-E’s solo journey began after Teargas stopped making music together around 2014. The group, made up of brothers Ma-E and Ntukza and their friend K.O, was responsible for songs such as “Mhlobo Wami” and “Chance”.
Their separation was influenced by both business and personal differences, with each member choosing to pursue individual paths.
