@WarnerMusicAfrica
Johannesburg; 15 June 2023: The long wait is over as award-winning artists Inkabi Zezwe (Sjava and Big Zulu) have released the visuals for ‘Sayona’ the follow-up single off their acclaimed album ‘Ukhamba’. The popular musical Titans tell us about a love gone eerie. Told through the lens of a couple whose toxic traits are not enough to sustain their fading love.
The video, which was directed by Slowman Films in Johannesburg, with a lavish mansion as the backdrop and led by actors who play a domestic helper and garden keeper respectively; brings to life the sad reality of a toxic love song. Sjava and Big Zulu echo the ongoing storyline of a jaded love affair, by appearing in performance shots at different locations of the house, as well as solo scenes where they are partnered – throughout the video.
“Sayona, Sayona sasinento entle Sayona thina, amaphutha ethu sawawona kodwa akusizi ngoba impilo zethu zishile.” the opening line from Sjava sets the scene of a man who is hurting from being apart from his lady love, and how much he still cares for her despite the acceptance that they could never be together.
“Ayi ngikwenze konke, ngikunike konke kodwa awunelanga ngoba wandijikela. Ayi kodwa akusasizi nawe awungisizi komunye umhlaba ngabe impilo zethu zishinshile. Ayi ngifisela injabulo nothando nempilo entle dali wam’ – Croons an emotional Big Zulu, expressing his anger and disappointment for his lover and her betrayal.
Ending the video with the male lead giving off a gut-wrenching cry; ‘Sayona’ is a song that provides solace to those who are mourning the loss of friendships or romantic relationships alike and the acceptance thereof.
“We live in times, where we always blame our partners for wrongdoings when relationships don’t work out. It is important that both take accountability for their role in the mishap and that’s the take-home we want people to receive upon watching this music video”-Says Inkabi Zezwe
ABOUT INKABI ZEZWE
Sjava, whose real name is Jabulani Hadebe was born in Bergville, KwaZulu-Natal in 1984. He began exploring music at age 10, forming his own acapella group ‘Abafana baseMpumalanga’ but his entertainment career was set in motion when he took on acting, starring in popular television shows such as Zone 14 and Gugu no Andile. His debut album Isina Muva (2016) was his major transition into the music industry and earned him the ‘Best Produced Album’ awards at both the Metro FM and South African Music (SAMA) award ceremonies in 2017. That same year, Sjava won the first DStv Mzansi Viewer’s Choice Rising Star. In 2018 Sjava was featured in the Kendrick Lamar-curated and Grammy-nominated Black Panther: The Album soundtrack. In the same year, the superstar won a BET award for ‘Best International Act’ and released his sophomore album Umqhele which scored him ‘Best Afro-Pop Album’ and ‘Album of the Year wins at the 2019 SAMAs. His recent album Isibuko (2023) maintains Sjava’s dedication to highlighting the human experience with a rich, bulbous, and ethereal soundscape.
Born Siyabonga Nene in Bergville, KwaZulu-Natal in 1987, Big Zulu transitioned into rap music in 2008 after a stint in the taxi industry. The rapper’s music is often filled with aspirational subject matter that his fans have long gravitated towards. He melds Maskandi and Hip-Hop with his gripping flow and cadence. Ushun Wenkabi his debut album was released in 2018 but it was Zulu’s third album Ichwane Lenyoka (2021) that helped catapult him to superstardom. The album boasted the hits ‘Mali Eningi’ featuring Ntaba Yase Dubai and Riky Rick, ‘Inhlupheko’, featuring Mduduzi Ncube, and ‘Umuzi eSandton’ with Lwah Ndlunkulu. As a testament to his persistence and talent, Big Zulu has won several awards including Song of the Year for ‘Mali Eningi’ and ‘Album of the Year’ at the 2021 South African Hip Hop Awards. The superstar has also won the ‘Collaboration of the Year’ at the 27th annual SAMA awards.
As a duo, Sjava and Big Zulu make up Inkabi Zezwe, a project that celebrates the connection they have as Zulu brothers and musicians. This collaboration places them at the precipice of an interesting moment in music and culture. Their music as individual artists travel back and forth through traditional isiZulu musical forms and more contemporary musical expressions. Sjava is R&B and Afropop / Hip-Hop inclined whereas Big Zulu uses Hip-Hop / Rap to negotiate his musical identity. This ambivalence of genres is a prime opportunity to imagine and create music that is not only an autobiographical anecdote of their intimate worlds but as artists who are attentive to contemporary South Africa. Their new music explores everything that matters to them, love, intimacy, joy, aspiration, and people. Inkabi Zezwe is about community and the beauty of shared experiences.
Sayona is out, watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTOMBl7whdM
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