Bill Collekt Asks : What do we mean by replay value in music?
Today Bill Collekt asked me "What exactly do you mean by replay value?"
Fair question, given that I do use the phrase much. Also, Bill Collekt (formerly Ill Manner) is a well respected long standing ally of mine as far as pushing the culture forward, he has earned his stripes with catalogue after catalogue.
Yet in our circles we are always faced with new questions, that may or may not help us in figuring out how to bring Zimbabwean hip-hop artists to the fore-front.
What is replay value?
Simply put, replay value is a song’s ability to be played over and over again without wearing out its welcome. It’s that quality that makes you want to hit repeat without hesitation, letting the track loop without feeling fatigued or overwhelmed.
There are songs that impress you instantly—you hear them once and think, Wow, this guy has insane bars! But after that first listen, you might not feel the urge to run it back immediately. Not because the song isn’t good, but because it’s so dense, intricate, or emotionally heavy that you need to digest it before coming back to it.
It’s like that Miss Universe - Zimbabwe dress that had the great Zimbabwe design on it.
Spectacular creativity, but you can’t wear it twice. It’s good for that once off exhibition at the paegant as opposed to something that’s simpler or that can be syndicated back into real life day to day things people can wear to Church, work or the club.
Take Kendrick Lamar’s The Heart Part 5. Lyrically and conceptually, it’s a masterpiece. Every line is packed with meaning, the storytelling is gripping, and the delivery is raw. But how often do people casually throw it on repeat while doing everyday tasks? Now, compare that to Kanye West’s Good Life.
It’s light, infectious, and easy to vibe to. You can leave it running in the background while driving, working out, or even just chilling at home without feeling like you need to pause and process every bar. Both songs are great, but Good Life has higher replay value because it’s easier to revisit frequently.
I put it like this: If I’m outside watering my garden or cutting grass, I’m not about to keep pressing play every few minutes to restart a song that demands my full attention. Instead, I’d rather have a track that naturally loops and keeps my head nodding without pulling me too deep into analysis. Some songs have that effortless groove, that natural loopability, making them easier to keep in rotation.
That’s what I mean by replay value—it’s not just about how good a song is; it’s about how much you actually want to keep playing it back-to-back. Some songs are designed for deep dives, others are built for seamless replayability. The best artists find a way to balance both.
Of course not everyone agrees with me on this. I mean some of my friends insist that Stoney Ginger Beer is more palatable than Coca-Cola. Take for isnatnce what Snooks said in response to my perspective.
Yeah, I have learnt to acknowledge one thing though...over 8 billion folks globally so surely the music market is too diverse in taste. I wouldn't be surprised if the deep heads match the other variety in number, spend and other variables that determine value in the industry. I try and look at ROI from a time and money POV at what headlines are telling me is if I was to "buy shares" Lamar would have a higher ROI tomorrow. As a market watcher, I'm wise enough to then know changes in dynamics are part of the game, so I keep looking at indicators. - Snooks Ryt (Robert Garai Muganda)
That diversity is exactly why we amplify all well meaning voices on Rap Mics Matter.
You can also chime in with your 2 cents on the matter. Until then also follow our Facebook Page - @RapMicsMatter