In Praise of Kwaito

December 15, 2024
1 min read

ON SOUTH AFRICAN POP MUSIC

By Kalamu ya Salaam of Kalamu.com

Saturday, January 28, 2012.

Kwaito is a form of South African popular music that represents the generation of the 1990s, the first major post-apartheid musical statement. It has elements of diverse influences as wide-ranging as house music on the one hand and traditional forms associated with the different ethnic and regional groupings of South Africa.

If you’re interested in classic Kwaito the CD to get is Phat Joe Presents 3650 Days Of Kwaito. (Back in May 2006 we at BoL wrote about Kwaito here.)

This week we feature a new Mixtape that revisits and updates classic Kwaito jams.

Tumi, the leader of popular South African band Tumi and the Volume, collaborates with major South African rapper, Zubz as they reinterpret old school Kwaito. I’m a fan of Tumi’s flow and his on point lyrics.

Zubz (born in Zambia, reared in Zimbabwe, and based in South Africa) is one of South Africa’s most popular rappers ever.

Interspersed throughout are snippets of South Africans talking about what Kwaito means to them and how Kwaito affected them when they first heard it.

On his website, Tumi says:

“This is a mixtape Zubz and I did in 3 days. We hadn’t worked together the whole of last yer and that felt unusual for us.

December always makes us think back to the golden era of kwaito and it hit us, do a kwaito mixtape. Our approach was not to over think the process, just do what comes and we set a three day limit for ourselves. Our engineer Instro chopped up the old school kwaito hits and we wrote 3 songs a day. We not trying to ride on anybody’s fame or glory, we just wanted to reintepret some of our favourite kwaito tunes and try and relive those magic moments, but most importantly pay homage to the original artists.”

While I’m not a big, big lover of Kwaito I do very much enjoy this outing and wish that more artists would revisit their roots and give a creative take on their sonic origins. As with most mixtapes, Where Were You? was done for the love of the music and is available from Tumi’s website as a free download.

Kalamu ya Salaam is a writer and filmmaker from New Orleans. He is also the founder of Nommo Literary Society – a Black writers’ workshop.

257 Comments

  1. This particular blog is without a doubt awesome and also diverting. I have chosen a bunch of interesting stuff out of this amazing blog. I ad love to come back again and again. Thanks a bunch!

  2. When I originally commented I clicked the”Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get several emails with thesame comment. Is there any way you can removepeople from that service? Many thanks!

  3. เมื่อก่อนจะพนันบอลครั้งควรต้องไปโต๊ะบอลแต่ว่าในช่วงเวลานี้หมดยุคแล้วครับ เหตุเพราะปรารถนาพนันบอลก็ทำเป็นเลยแค่เพียงปลายนิ้วเพียงเข้ามาที่ UFABET การพนันบอลก็จะง่ายสำหรับคุณ เว็บไซต์ของพวกเรามีให้บริการพนันบอลออนไลน์แบบครบทุกแบบ

  4. Hey! Do you know if they make any plugins to assistwith Search Engine Optimization? I’m trying to get my blog to rank forsome targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good success.If you know of any please share. Cheers!My blog – yeast infection

  5. Thank you for another wonderful post. Where else could anyone get that kind of information in such a perfect way of writing? I have a presentation next week, and I’m on the look for such information.

  6. Excellent post. I was checking continuously thisblog and I am impressed! Extremely useful information particularly the lastpart 🙂 I care for such info a lot. I was looking for this particular info fora very long time. Thank you and best of luck.

  7. I do consider all of the ideas you’ve presented to your post. They’re very convincing and will certainly work. Still, the posts are very short for novices. May just you please lengthen them a bit from subsequent time? Thank you for the post.

  8. fantastic points altogether, you just received a new reader. What may you suggest about your submit that you just made some days in the past? Any certain?

  9. A motivating discussion is worth comment. I do believe that you should write more about this subject, it may not be a taboo matter but usually people don’t speak about such issues. To the next! Many thanks!!

  10. A fascinating discussion is worth comment. There’s no doubt that that you ought to publish more about this subject, it may not be a taboo subject but usually folks don’t talk about such topics. To the next! Best wishes.

  11. Thông Tin, Sự Khiếu Nại Liên Quan Lại Đến Thẳng Soccer Nữ dangky.tluĐội tuyển Việt Nam chỉ cần thiết một kết quả hòa có bàn thắng để lần loại hai góp mặt tại World Cup futsal. Nhưng, để thực hiện được điều đó

  12. Aw, this was an incredibly good post. Taking a few minutes and actual effort to create a superb articleÖ but what can I sayÖ I hesitate a whole lot and never manage to get nearly anything done.

  13. I like the valuable info you provide in your articles. I’ll bookmark your weblog and check again here regularly. I’m quite certain I’ll learn a lot of new stuff right here! Best of luck for the next!

  14. I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of your blog. It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more pleasant for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a developer to create your theme? Excellent work!

  15. Hey, you used to write magnificent, but the last few posts have been kinda boring… I miss your super writings. Past several posts are just a little bit out of track! come on!

  16. Hello there! This is my first comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and tell you I truly enjoy reading your articles. Can you recommend any other blogs/websites/forums that go over the same subjects? Many thanks!

  17. I haven’t checked in here for a while as I thought it was getting boring, but the last few posts are great quality so I guess I will add you back to my everyday bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂

  18. You really make it appear really easy with your presentation however I find this matter to be actually something that I believe I might never understand. It kind of feels too complicated and very large for me. I am having a look forward to your next submit, I will try to get the hold of it!

  19. Thanks for another excellent article. Where else could anybody get that type of info in such an ideal way of writing? I have a presentation next week, and I am on the look for such information.

  20. It’s a pity you don’t have a donate button! I’d without a doubt donate to this fantastic blog! I guess for now i’ll settle for bookmarking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to new updates and will share this website with my Facebook group. Chat soon!

  21. Thank you for another magnificent article. The place else may anybody get that type of info in such a perfect means of writing? I have a presentation next week, and I am on the look for such info.

  22. Hmm is anyone else encountering problems with the pictureson this blog loading? I’m trying to figure out if itsa problem on my end or if it’s the blog. Any feed-back would be greatly appreciated.

  23. I’ll right away grasp your rss feed as I can not to find your email subscription link or e-newsletter service.Do you’ve any? Please permit me recognizeso that I may just subscribe. Thanks.

  24. Hey There. I found your blog using msn. That is an extremely neatly written article.I will be sure to bookmark it and come back tolearn extra of your useful info. Thank you for the post.I’ll certainly return.

  25. KatiePicke Juliketa Pirates Of The Caribbean Salazar S RevengeEnglish 1080p Dual Audio English HindiFannieOst PDF Lara Croft Tomb Raider:Thee Cradle of Life (2003) BluRay 720p x264 ac3-jbr

  26. Hi there! Do you know if they make any plugins to help with SEO? I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good success. If you know of any please share. Thanks!

  27. whoah this blog is great i really like studying your posts.Stay up the good work! You recognize, a lot of individuals are searching roundfor this information, you can aid them greatly.

  28. An intriguing discussion is worth comment. There’s no doubt that that you should write more on this subject, it might not be a taboo matter but generally people do not discuss such topics. To the next! All the best!!

  29. Hello there! This post could not be written any better! Reading this post reminds me of my good old room mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this write-up to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Thanks for sharing!

  30. ภาพสวยเล่นง่ายได้เงินไวจำต้องยกให้ สล็อตออนไลน์เลยคะครับผม พูดได้ว่าเป็นเกมยอดนิยมที่ครอบครองใจคนอีกหลายๆคนอย่างยิ่งจริงๆUFABET ก็เลยไม่พลาด จัดทั้งยังโบนัสรวมถึงแจ็คพอตแบบรัวๆเพื่อเพิ่มหนทางทำเงินให้สมาชิกนั่นเองครับ

  31. Hello there! I could have sworn I’ve been to thisblog before but after browsing through some of the post I realized it’s new to me.Anyways, I’m definitely glad I found it and I’ll be bookmarkingand checking back frequently!

  32. Excellent post. I was checking continuously this blog and I am impressed!Extremely useful information specifically the last part 🙂 I care for such info a lot.I was looking for this particular information for a long time.Thank you and best of luck.

  33. Your style is so unique compared to other folks I’ve read stuff from. Many thanks for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I will just book mark this blog.

  34. I am no longer positive where you are getting your info, but great topic.I needs to spend some time learning more or working outmore. Thank you for magnificent information I was on the lookout for this info for my mission.

  35. Sweet blog! I found it while searching on Yahoo News.Do you have any suggestions on how to get listed in Yahoo News?I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there!CheersHere is my blog: BreezeBox

  36. I wanted to thank you for this wonderful read!! I absolutely enjoyed every little bit of it. I have got you saved as a favorite to look at new stuff you post…

  37. What’s Going down i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I’ve discovered It absolutely useful and it has aided me out loads. I am hoping to contribute & assist other customers like its aided me. Good job.

  38. Could you send me an application form? aztec treasure online slots Lee Metcalf in Washington, D.C., in August 1962, included, from left, Joe Braycich, George Ostrom, Dick Warden, Teddy Roe, Vic Reinersma and Roy Dockstedda

  39. I like the helpful info you provide for your articles. I’llbookmark your blog and take a look at once more here regularly.I’m reasonably certain I’ll learn many new stuff right here!Best of luck for the next! 0mniartist asmr

  40. Hmm is anyone else encountering problems with the pictures on this blog loading?I’m trying to figure out if its a problem on my end or if it’s the blog.Any responses would be greatly appreciated.

  41. I like this blog very much, Its a real nice billet to read and find information. “Misogynist A man who hates women as much as women hate one another.” by H.L. Mencken.

  42. I blog frequently and I really appreciate your content. The article has really peaked my interest. I’m going to take a note of your blog and keep checking for new information about once a week. I subscribed to your RSS feed as well.

  43. When I originally commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get several emails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove people from that service? Cheers!

  44. Thank you, I’ve just been looking for information approximately this subject for ages and yours is the best I have came upon till now. However, what in regards to the bottom line? Are you positive concerning the source?

  45. I blog quite often and I really appreciate your information. The article has truly peaked my interest. I am going to take a note of your blog and keep checking for new information about once a week. I opted in for your RSS feed as well.

  46. Thanks for another informative blog. The plaheelse could I get that type of info written in such a perfect manner?I’ve a priject that I’m just now runnng on, and I have been at the glance out for such info.

  47. I appreciate, cause I discovered exactly what I used to be having a look for.You’ve ended my four day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a niceday. Bye

  48. Hello there! Do you know if they make any plugins to help with SEO?I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords butI’m not seeing very good success. If you know of any please share.Appreciate it!

  49. That is a great tip particularly to those fresh to the blogosphere. Brief but very precise info… Thank you for sharing this one. A must read article.

  50. We are looking for some people that might be interested in from working their home on a full-time basis. If you want to earn $200 a day, and you don’t mind developing some short opinions up, this is the perfect opportunity for you!

  51. We are looking for some people that are interested in from working their home on a part-time basis. If you want to earn $500 a day, and you don’t mind developing some short opinions up, this is the perfect opportunity for you!

  52. Aw, this was an incredibly nice post. Taking a few minutes and actual effort to create a superb article… but what can I say… I put things off a whole lot and don’t seem to get nearly anything done.

  53. Hey there are using WordPress for your blog platform? I’mnew to the blog world but I’m trying to get started and create my own. Do you needany coding knowledge to make your own blog? Any help would be really appreciated!

  54. Hi my friend! I want to say that this article is awesome, nice written and include almost all significant infos. I would like to see more posts like this.

  55. Usually I do not read post on blogs, but I would like to say that this write-up very pressured me to take a look at and do it! Your writing style has been amazed me. Thank you, very nice article.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Previous Story

The Redemptive Soul of Linda Jones

Next Story

Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Hip Hop Generation

Latest from Blog