12 Dogs is an experimental rap collective from Johannesburg’s East Side, known for their genre-defying sound and poetic lyricism. Comprised of Justin Blanckensee, Thabi Holele, Kabir Jugram, Lukas van Garderen, and Lumko Ntshikila, the group first gained underground acclaim with their 2021 debut Consequence of Sound — a fiercely political album recorded in their teens during the pandemic.

Now re-emerging with Fireflies, their sophomore project, 12 Dogs push beyond the boundaries of hip-hop, blending rap with indie, electronic, and alternative textures. Reflective and raw, Fireflies captures a group in metamorphosis — wrestling with identity, memory, and meaning in a post-digital world. It’s less about chasing the spotlight than chasing truth, refracted through a kaleidoscope of voices and sonic invention.

Production Credits