Paying homage to their common heritage rooted in the hills of Bergville, KwaZulu-Natal, South African stars Big Zulu and Sjava join forces as Inkabi Zezwe. Named after an isiZulu term of endearment, the duo make their bond tangible with Ukhamba, a one-off collaboration that utilises their kinship to represent and reflect the nation.
“When drinking from ukhamba [a clay vessel for serving sorghum beer during traditional gatherings], you can pass it around the room or kraal and share with others—so in the same way, we came together and collaborated on this album,” Big Zulu tells Apple Music. Here, the two musicians’ versatility comes to the fore as they dig into their wide arsenal of influences, from maskandi and mbaqanga to hip-hop, R&B, Afropop and Afrosoul. Below, Big Zulu and Sjava break down the meaning behind key songs from Ukhamba.
“Intro (Inkabi Zezwe)”
Big Zulu: “This is a Bergville folk song which we decided, since we are from there, to use as an intro for our album. We gave it our own flavour to accommodate everyone.”
“Khaya Lami”
Big Zulu: “It’s a song about the importance of home. It’s a song that’s close to our hearts as people from a rural area. Your home is a huge part of who you are.”
Sjava: “And, even if your home isn’t that beautiful, you shouldn’t be [so] ashamed of it, to the point when you take a photo, you end up not showing it. You should always remember that it’s your home and there are some people who wish they had that home, [such] as it is.”
“Omunye”
Big Zulu: “It’s a song about wooing a woman you are meeting for the first time. Just as [Sjava] says, ‘Ngikhumbula ngiqala ukuk’bona, ufake iduku eliluhlaza, kuvela iBrazillian’ [‘I remember the first time I saw you/You put on a green scarf/You look Brazilian’.] So, it’s about saying, ‘I don’t see anyone else but you.’”
“Emaphusheni”
Sjava: “There’s a woman who you see for yourself and another who you are shown by the elders. So this song is about a woman who keeps appearing in my dreams and I’m asking her if she’s indeed the one my elders keep showing me. I’m saying to her, ‘If it’s you, please show yourself.’”
“Slow Jam Sase Bergville”
Sjava: “This is a song about inkabi [a guy] that has been after this woman for a while but she’s not acknowledging his efforts.”
“Sayona”
Big Zulu: “It talks about two people who were happily in love. But, their failure to respect each other and work together on their relationship led to them ruining it.”
Sjava: “They finally realise after breaking up that they had a good relationship. But, after being apart for a long time, it’s hard to get back together because their lives have changed.”
“Impumelelo” (feat. Xowla)
Sjava: “It’s a song about a man who used to struggle. His girlfriend left him and his family deserted him which happens sometimes when you’re still hustling. So after succeeding, he’s saying he owes his success to no one because both his partner and family turned on him.”
Tracklist:
- Inkabi Zezwe, Sjava & Big Zulu - Intro (Inkabi Zezwe)
- Inkabi Zezwe, Sjava & Big Zulu - Khaya Lami
- Inkabi Zezwe, Sjava & Big Zulu - Siyabonga
- Inkabi Zezwe, Sjava & Big Zulu - Omunye
- Inkabi Zezwe, Sjava & Big Zulu - Umbayimbayi
- Inkabi Zezwe, Sjava & Big Zulu - Uthando Lunye
- Inkabi Zezwe, Sjava & Big Zulu - Emaphusheni
- Inkabi Zezwe, Sjava & Big Zulu - Slow Jam Sase Bergville
- Inkabi Zezwe, Sjava & Big Zulu - Iskhwele
- Inkabi Zezwe, Sjava & Big Zulu - Sayona
- Inkabi Zezwe, Sjava & Big Zulu - Ilanga
- Inkabi Zezwe, Sjava & Big Zulu - Impumelelo (feat. Xowla)
Stream the full Album below.
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