Release Radar: Kwela releases new single “Short Story of Music Not Made in China”

South African artist Kwela continues his streak of releasing some of the most original and captivating music around with new single “Short Story of Music Not Made in China”.

Originally titled “I am Music” - personifying music - the single features Kwela playing the supporting lead. The song borrows from Khoe, Sepedi and Setswana rhythms and percussiveness with the drums, percussion, jumpy synthesiser and present-to-obscure vocals. “Short Story of Music Not Made in China” is multifarious worlds melting into one to be a song that once did not exist, about a nonfiction story that is the writer’s autobiographical account. 

Kwela is a versatile lyricist, vocalist, and producer who comes from Soweto via Johannesburg, the City of Gold. Born in 1983, his  life and work are a reflection of his influences, inspirations, aspirations, and memory. Kwela’s world of music is unorthodox and visionary, made up of childhood kwaito memories and Le Club subplots, including Joburg poetics, jazz, early 2000s live band scenes, and most of what is considered alternative, whether obscure or conveniently labelled "world music". 

In 2004, Kwela joined the renowned band Kwani Experience, inspiring a generation with their bold and unapologetic afro-funk sound and aesthetic. Since then, Kwela has compiled and co-produced projects, including record label consulting and music supervising for television, vocalising the contemporary African experience from a perspective of growing up in, living and walking the streets of Johannesburg, with music that fuses his influences: afro-pop, indigenous music, praise poetry, hip-hop, synth, and electronica.