Best of the Month: May

Here’s what caught Tangaza’s editorial teams attention in the month of May:

Beverly

Fave Song  and Video - Lonely Mile by Eric Wainaina and Jason Sibi-Okumu

Life is tough y'all! It's always been tough, but this pandemic is like the needle that broke the camel's back. This song is a welcome relief amidst everything going on, Eric Wainaina and Jason Sibi - Okumu have voices that soothe and ease your anxieties. Like a warm blanket on a cold day or warm hug on a bad day, this song can help you forget your worries for 3 minutes and 30 seconds. The video, a Google Hangout call between Wainaina and Sibi - Okumu,  is nothing spectacular but is so apt during this time of online meetings, "you're frozen," and "can you hear me now?" I love the sparseness of the music video. It's taken me 104 words to finally realize what the song makes me feel. At peace.

Kalanzi

Fave Song - Bintwala by Mun G

Mun G is beloved among Luganda speakers for his absurdly perceptive lyrics. On Bintwala he is in classic form. It’s a playful dancehall song commenting on the economic hardship induced by the COVID-19 pandemic. For 2 ½ minutes Mun G regales his listeners with a few of the newfound encumbrances he’s had to endure since the pandemic started;  like having to eat kawunga (ugali) for days in a row, switching from Sensodyne to Delident toothpaste, or having his girl leave him for an employed essential worker. 

Fave Video - Kanvunge by VIP Jemo

‘Kanvuge’ means ‘let me drive’ in Luganda. While the song itself is one long tongue-in-cheek innuendo sung over an infectious beat that sample’s Kassav’s classic Ou Le, the colorful video takes a more literal approach to the title. It features  a fleet of blue Subaru rally cars racing through the streets of Kampala’s industrial area, chased by a crowd of revellers and officiated by a young boy wearing oversized 5-leaf clover shades. Throw in some shots of young party-goers in neon clothes and you have the ingredients of a feel-good summer jam. 

Joy

Fave Song - Prodigy by Tetu Shani

We all needed this uplifting song from AfricaSun. Produced by frequent collaborator M3, the focus is on his husky voice, subtle guitar and empowering message - because less is more. Whether you're Tetu Shani or not, you'll feel like a prodigy singing this song.

Fave Video - Abakoro by Ngalah and King Koko

Abakoro has a unique sound and an even more unique video. Directed by James Mwando, it oozes colourful Afrofuturistic vibes that remind me of Africa Nouveau Festival. Come and get some positive dance vibes over here.

Fave Project: My Way - Wendy Kay

Wendy Kay has a new 4 track EP with four different producers and one feature. From the soulful My Way to electro-pop Mama Papa to the bouncy ‘Samahani’ and kapuka vibes of ‘Stori Ni Gani’, this EP is an easy and fun listen. And is it just me, or does ‘Samahani’ featuring (and produced) by Rigga sound like the continuation of her hit single ‘Maybe’?

Michelle

Fave Song - Lonely Night by Alice Ragoi ft Thumbs

In the midst of the curfew imposed in Kenya following the spread of the pandemic, lonely nights may be something that a couple of us may be getting uncomfortably acquainted with. Add to that the other kind of loneliness, and you’ve got a song that covers all bases, making for a deliriously indulgent addition to any sad music playlist. Thumbs raspy rap verse following Ragoi’s heartbreaking contemplations – “maybe if I loved myself...”   – don’t fall short in creating a five-star tear-jerker.

Monica

Fave Song & Video - Insecure by Sauti Sol

Sauti Sol have not missed a single step since the release of their first project, Mwanzo, back in 2009. What I love most about the band is their ability to take weighty topics and create incredibly relatable, memorable and catchy music without ever sounding cheesy. Their latest release, ‘Insecure’, is no exception. The song is beautifully written and encourages us all to tackle our insecurities head on. And the visuals are absolutely stunning! The video breathes so much life to the track and perfectly captures the narrative of the lyrics.

Other Fave Song - Blame Game by Kagwe Mungai & Xenia Manasseh

I’m going to go as far as assuming that most of us can relate to being in a toxic relationship and feeling trapped in the never ending cycle of making up just to break up all over again. On ‘Blame Game’, Kagwe Mungai and Xenia Manasseh perfectly encapsulate that frustration. As an R&B head, everything about this song captured my attention. From its conversational structure which is reminiscent of classic R&B break up songs, to Kagwe and Xenia’s storytelling prowess and, of course, their sweet vocals.