Release Radar: Kwela shares album WE THE BEAUTYFUL ONES

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.

Kwela's solo work is a collection of his curatorial, archival diggings, writing and production adventures. The multilingual vocalist is a South African music industry make-it-happener having compiled and co-produced projects, including record label consulting and music supervising for television. Kwela vocalises 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.