Sjava shares his journey of self-discovery
JOBURG – Sjava delves into issues of identity and self-discovery in his modern maskandi track, Thina Asizazi alongside Madala Kunene.
Although officially launched during Heritage Month, Castle Milk Stout’s Clan Beats EP will continue to echo in its preservation of culture, heritage and clan praises. The EP features a rich blend of songs produced by hitmaker – DJ Maphorisa.
The musical piece features four African clans, where each song narrates the featured artists’ and praise singers’ journey to rediscovering the richness of their culture. Sho Madjozi, KB Motsilanyane, Sjava and Thandiswa Mazwai lend their vocal talents alongside praise singers from the same clans namely Dr Sithole, Stoan Seate, Madala Kunene and Zolani Mkiva.
Award-winning artist, Sjava was paired with Madala Kunene who said he was honoured to be a part of the project and paired with the praise singer.
“It’s amazing, it’s an amazing project and the good thing is that uBab’ Madala is not just a praise singer he does a lot for cultural preservation. So, it really means a lot for me to be a part of this,” Sjava said.
The project encourages Africans to retrace their roots through clan praises. Each track on the EP incorporates clan praises by the prominent praise singers alongside the artists and uniquely features the heartbeat of the praise singer. The creative idea, inspired by the brand’s stance that boldly states, ‘Our heritage is our heartbeat’ is something listeners will experience through the songs, as musicians from different generations collaborate to create timeless music exploring themes related to embracing African culture.
Sjava urged fellow artists to stay true to themselves and elevate other cultures and traditions that do not necessarily receive mainstream representation.
“Imagine if each culture had a person representing it. I think that’s the only way music would really grow in the country – if artists would represent where they come from instead of faking it and trying to be something they aren’t.”
Known for echoing clan praises in his songs, Sjava said he felt that clan praises were dying out because people had little to no knowledge of their clan praises.
“We really need to go back and learn our clan praises because when we don’t know the praises ourselves we will raise a generation that has no idea about the praises – if I don’t know who I am then it’s going to be hard to pass down that knowledge to the next generation and they won’t know who they are either.”
The EP kicks off with Thandiswa Mazwai and Zolani Mkiva’s Abuyile Amakhosi, an upbeat Afro-pop song that pays homage to the Xhosa cultural group. KB Motsilanyane and Stoan Seate’s Ke A Phela, which translates to ‘I am alive’ is the second track on the EP and inherently narrates how being rooted in African culture is what keeps African hearts beating. Amapiano inspired Hi Bomba by Sho Madjozi and Dr Sithole calls on the Xitsonga cultural group to embrace their colourful culture with pride. The fourth and final track on the EP is Thina Asizazi, a modern maskandi track by Sjava and Madala Kunene that delves into issues of identity and self-discovery.
