Planet Afropop Podcast, Afropop Worldwide - South Africa in the Green Room: Bongeziwe and Bakithi

 

One of my favorite things to do is discover and interview talented noteworthy personalities around the Black Planet over the years. On the cusp of a world tour, genre-bending South African artist Bongeziwe Mabandla sits down with Planet Afropop's Mukwae Wabei Siyolwe. Mabandla, a true maverick, draws on his country's rich musical history but forges his own path with his new album amaXesha (The Times).

Alongside his Mozambican producer, the innovative Tiago Correia-Paulo, Bongeziwe has crafted a unique sonic signature. Imagine deep, meditative textures woven with pulsating keyboards – a sound, as Siyolwe puts it, "you can dance to, pray to, cry to, and celebrate to."

This episode doesn't just focus on Bongeziwe. We also get a glimpse into the legendary Graceland bassman, Bakithi Kumalo. Filmed at his home studio, Kumalo offers insights and a taste of his music.