Amapiano Energy Meets Emotional Tribute as merc$ ELEVN releases his debut EP – ‘Wavy Coast to Coast’ EP to honor his Mother.
South Africa continues to be a hub for fresh sounds, and Pretoria’s own merc$ ELEVN is positioning himself as one of its most exciting new voices with his debut seven-track EP, ‘Wavy Coast to Coast’ EP.
With the release of his debut seven-track EP, Wavy Coast to Coast, on August 20th, 2025, he blends Amapiano, trap, and New Age beats into a style he proudly calls merc$ talk. This project is more than music, it is a deeply personal tribute to his late mother, who passed in March 2025, and the creative compass who inspired him to “find his own flow.”
Wavy Coast to Coast is, at its core, more than a debut EP; it serves as a tribute from a son to his mother, a promise fulfilled through music, and an introduction to a sound that he believes is “not of this world.”” By transforming grief into groove, merc$ ELEVN offers listeners not only something to dance to, but something to think about.
In a key moment of the project, he asks through his art what it means to carry a loved one’s voice forward. And in doing so, he ensures that his mother’s influence is felt not only in his heart but also across speakers, stages, and cities.
Inspired by Loss, Driven by Love
The EP is rooted in grief, but instead of delivering a mournful project, merc$ ELEVN transforms his emotions into dancefloor-ready anthems. His mother’s words—“Find your own flow, Onka”—became a mantra that shaped every track on the project. In this way, Wavy Coast to Coast stands as both a memorial and a celebration, showing how music can turn pain into rhythm, and rhythm into healing.
Recording from the closet with nothing but his phone, merc$ ELEVN proves that creativity isn’t about the studio but about the drive to create. Each song is freestyled, performed as a raw conversation between himself and the beats designed by producers XKG and Tiny Zee.
A Track-by-Track Journey
The EP opens with “Saka Le Manyora,” a standout that doubles as its emotional anchor. In Setswana, Saka translates to “Mother,” and here merc$ ELEVN delivers a heartfelt dedication through his raspy vocals and hypnotic flows. The chorus echoes like a call home, both intimate and universal.
Other tracks such as “Lepanta Le” and “Zanzibar” expand the soundscape, blending Amapiano grooves with electronic textures that invite listeners to dance while reflecting on the story behind the project. Songs like “Hamba Nami” and “Betha Line” display his versatility, seamlessly shifting between melodic delivery and gritty trap-inspired cadence. Even lighter tracks like “Ashiwalk” carry layers of meaning beneath the surface.
Collectively, the seven tracks create a coast-to-coast experience, balancing celebration with remembrance, ensuring the EP is not weighed down by sorrow but uplifted by rhythm and flow.
Influences and Unique Sound
What makes merc$ ELEVN stand apart is how he channels influences without losing his originality. He has cited Future and Marilyn Manson as key inspirations, which explains his mix of futuristic trap energy with rockstar edge. Growing up on artists like Eminem, Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, and T-Pain, his style pulls from rap, R&B, and even rock, creating something hard to box in but easy to feel.
He calls his style merc$ talk—a fusion of raspy tones, rockstar charisma, and freestyle lyricism—and on Wavy Coast to Coast, that approach shines through. The EP may be rooted in Amapiano, but it expands far beyond, touching on elements that feel both global and futuristic.
The rise of merc$ ELEVN has been swift and organic. In March 2025, just after his mother’s passing, he found his voice musically and began sharing his sound online. Within 24 hours of posting his first track on TikTok, he gained more than 1,000 followers—proof that listeners instantly connected with his vibe. This momentum is expected to grow as Wavy Coast to Coast reaches wider audiences.
Listen/Stream HERE