rewrite this content and keep HTML tags
Legendary South African musician Thandiswa Mazwai has been up to a lot lately. She recently performed an acclaimed Tiny Desk Concert, where she reintroduced her glittering catalog to its audience of music lovers. That performance saw her give a passionate shout-out to her motherland, establishing the long relationship between her artistry and cultural forms.
After celebrating the 20th anniversary of her classic solo debut album, Zabalaza, earlier in the year, Mazwai has her mind set on the next. Her new album Sankofa is expected on May 10, but as with all things concerning her, there’s a mapped-out sequence for listeners to enjoy the work. One of those is today’s release, “Kulungile,” whose own brilliance suggests what to expect from that body of work.
“Kulungile” translates to “it is well” in isiXhosa and carries a serene atmosphere, realized by the soft drums and traditional instruments used in the production. Featuring the masterful Nduduzo Makhathini, it’s a showcase of the musical qualities Mazwai has demonstrated since the start of her solo career.
About the forthcoming album, Mazwai says: “Sankofa in the Ghanaian language Twi means to go back and fetch what’s left behind — what is important, what honors you, and what needs healing. Kulungile is about healing some of the traumas that we experience as children. Many of us have faced rejection, abandonement, and sexual violence. This song is for that child within that seeks justice, comfort and healing.”
To celebrate the release of the album, Mazwai will have a concert on the day after its release, May 11, at Carnival City, Johannesburg. You can find tickets here.
Listen to the new single below and check out Mazwai’s recent Tiny Desk performance underneath.
