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Kgalagadi. Not Kalahari

by Kwela

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about

w/ Sibusile Xaba and Gontse Makhene.

A feel good, desert love song set in the Kgalagadi Desert.

Employing Kgaladadi as a metaphor for imagining oases and fulfilment. The song is about things and circumstances that are not what they seem to be or we imagine. Much like how a desert can be not entirely arid and lifeless but instead occupied with vegetation, wildlife and, human life. Like how the word Kalahari is a bastardisation of Kgalagadi.

Kwela references the Setswana motto “Pula (Rain), Kgotso (Peace), Nala (Prosperity)!”, to wish rain, — a sign of blessings in most African cultures — and pure love to/for the listener. All in line with the collective self-affirmation that is WE THE BEAUTYFUL ONES body of work.

The song is a needed rain dance between Kwela’s vocals and production, Sibusile Xaba’s guitar licks and Gontse Makhene’s percussion. Initialised in Toronto (2018) as therapy + music experimentations, Xaba's guitar was laid down on a sunny day in a garden, and the bongos, playing a Sepedi rhythm by percussionist Makhene, both recorded in Joburg (2020). The video for the song was filmed in an abandoned and dilapidated Parktown Mansion.

credits

released May 5, 2023
Vocals, Production: Kwela
Acoustic Guitar: Sibusile Xaba
Bongos, Shakers: Gontse Makhene
Mixing & Mastering: Gavan Eckhart
Artwork: Thato Toeba
Label: The Gooodtimes Co
Publishing: High Art

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Kwela Johannesburg, South Africa

Vocalist
Producer
Songwriter
Legacy Curator

SA/NL

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