Celebrating SA music

Googling “South African Music Awards” I came across a simple Wikipedia definition:

The South African Music Awards is an annual celebration of the best of South
Africa’s eclectic music industry”.

Celebrating the best of SA’s music is what SAMAs have become in the past few years. I should admit although I’ve always liked the SAMA concept, I always was unhappy with the way things were done. Controversies were really abounding. There was the issue of sidelining White & Afrikaans music. Then the issue of certain artists nominated on unclear merit. Then there was the confusion about the difference between Afro Jazz and Afro Pop (I still insist, Bra Hugh Masekela is not a Jazz artist, please!).

But the SAMAs have really matured now. More categories have been added, and other genres have been accommodated: Afrikaans music is getting some recognition, too. I just hope we’ll see less & less of the same faces winning the same awards.

This brings me to what I think about SA music in general, and my beloved Kwaito in particular. In general, SA music is getting better & better, even the local R&B. These artists need particular mention:

Lira

When Lira joined 999 & I heard her sing, I thought here’s one voice which can go really far, if properly nurtured. She then sort of disappeared for a while until recently. Her “Feel Good” track is nice (if I remember well, it’s a re-do of a another song?). I also like the other video I saw on One (SABC 1) recently. She’s really coming off age, but still has to put in lot more into her music. Now that she’s with Sony/BMG, she should mature more.

She should avoid the temptation of trying to be like someone else e.g. Brandy. She’s good on her own natural voice. She should also avoid the fall of doing pure American R&B. Many before her tried that & they made no impact. E’smile, the late TK & others didn’t succeed so much, although I should say that TK’s last album sounds like something really massive!

Kabelo – Bouga Luv

Bouga Luv needs no mention in SA music. From the days of TKZee until now, he keeps pumping hot Kwaito stuff. I’m one of those who predicted doom for him when TKZee split. I really thought Tokollo would be the one take Kwaito higher, but I was wrong! Kabelo has really taken my loved genre to higher hights. I thought he couldn’t outdo himself after “Pantsula for Life”, but I was wrong again!

He came back even hotter with “It’s My House”, my best song from him. It really rivals my greatest Kwaito track ever: “Dlala MaPantsula” done by TKZee in the mid-90s. But his recent 2006 “Dubula” release doesn’t seem to tick me as his previous albums. Could it be he’s finally reached the ceiling?

My take is “yes”. He’s been at the forefront of Kwaito for the past 10 years & he really deserve the title of “King of Kwaito” if it were to be given! But the genre now needs new blood. I’ve seen L’Vovo Derango & I think he’s one man who can grow Kwaito from Kabelo, but it’s just too early to tell. All I can say is: I wish him a SAMA award on his debut album.

Mafikizolo

Well, I’m one man standing & watching in appreciation the unending Mafikizolo run! When Malaika came through, many people seemed to think Mafikizolo was gone. I also was quite concerned. But, hey, they are still here! Have you heard their “Six Mabone” album! It’s alive. And I like their dancing, too. They even dance “izinyokanyoka” to my appreciation!

But they still are facing a dilemma. How can they grow from here? Can they do any better than “Bhuti Ngihambe Nawe” and “Emlanjeni”? When you listen to their different albums for the past 6 years, it seems they cannot grow anymore. But I beg to differ! They can still grow & I think they won’t achieve anything if they go on solo efforts.

They should still keep the Afro Pop flair & mix it with a bit Afro Soul, if you know what I mean.

Zamajobe

Zamajobe is really good in what she does. “Magic” & “Ndawo Yami” deserved all the accolades they received. The woman from Vosloo is really talented & can grow even stronger. I like the laid back kind of music she plays & I can feel her previous “training” by Pastor Benjamin Dube.

The nice thing with Zamajobe’s music is: she can let her album to run for at least 2 years before she has to run back to the studio. She doesn’t have the dilemma facing commercial acts like Bouga Luv & Mafikizolo. But her next album better be good.

I suggest she tries & gives at least 3 groovy songs to avoid the trap of sounding too sleepy. And judging from what she gave us the first time, she won’t disappoint.

Freshly Ground

If there’s any group in SA that has the best chance of reaching heights as high as Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Freshly Ground is! Their “Doo Be Doo Be” track got them international & they really flew SA’s flag. In Zolani, their lead singer, they have a really dynamic voice. I like the little roughness in her voice & she really moves smoothly when she dances.

The rest of the band also come to the party. The drummer is something of his own. So are the violinist woman & fluteist. I don’t have much to say about this group except: just keep on keeping on, you beautiful SAs.

I can go on & on about the best of SA music & what can be done to make it better, but I’ll stop for now. Let’s wait for the 2007 SAMAs tomorrow & I can then comment.