So they speak their minds, so they face their wagging tongues.

 This piece-, is a train of thoughts inspired by the speech made by seasoned journalist and human rights defender Mister Hopewell Chin'ono. In this piece, I shall consult various reactions from various commentators and then weigh in on my views based on their reactions. First things first that have to be established in this regard are that under the sun, sourcing from the universal human rights. According to the Universal Declaration of the Human rights, Article 19, "Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression, this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers". Article 19 of the Declaration of Human Rights serves as the north star in developing the thought process founded around the notion of expression. There are a number of nuances that come around the notion of "expression", the essay shall seek to explore unpack, uncover, and deduce what is expression and how do we quantify expression. 

What has to be established before one dives further into observing this point of conversation is that do not be fooled by their silence like a magician. They can whip out a crocodile from their hats, they gambled with their lives when they operated and tailored the coup in November 2017. At any moment or second are they not prepared to let go of her, this means that they are prepared for an all-out assault and invest all hooks and crooks to consolidate their gains. In gains, I explicitly point out to them where they intentionally removed-, and deleted the old Mugabe government and they are in the process of building their own government fashioned against their visions and perspectives. Which has resulted and led Mister Hopewell Chin'ono and other free thinkers to be critical of the governance of Zimbabwe. This has then led Mister Hopewell Chin'ono to speak at the Human Rights Geneva conference about the deplorable state of Zimbabwe. 

In weaving the whole conversation around free speech, and freedom we get to note that when critical thinkers and speakers then decide to trade in their time to speak their minds. In many cases, they would have witnessed and observed a conflict that is before them juxtaposed against the mass's ideals. That is to get to converse about the contextual complexities that have derailed the visions of access to justice, electoral reforms, and social reforms. 

Let us get into detail by looking at Mister  Chin'ono's speech in Geneva, at the Human rights conference. In order to understand where the conviction of Mister Chin'ono, I propose and submit his award-winning documentary called, Pain in my heart. Mister Chin'ono mentions the documentary in his speech. Putting into context the essence, of this documentary into perspectives conjoined with Article 19. Knowledge is anchored on understanding, and understanding is anchored on human interest. In that same cloth, we get to understand that the body of work that has inspired the award-winning journalist is to at least in his and everyone's lifetime witness the true potential of Zimbabwe. Thus in my understanding that is where the fire comes from and that is his source of inspiration. Focusing on the integral role of journalists under the precincts of democracy journalists are the lifeblood of reasoning in any free-thinking state. This is founded on the three pillars that inspired the French revolution, a historical monument that set out the precedence of the modern world, the tenents of democracy are Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity. Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette led a state that had sunken to depths that no mortal being in its right sense may allow itself to struggle with dignity. In turn understanding, the responsibility of journalists is, to tell the truth as it is. The onus befalls the people to decide which route they deem to take and there should be no internal or external interferences when a state or country or people then decide to choose its own path. On the same whim, the British monarchies-, and neighbouring monarchies had to enact swift reforms so as to avoid any cross-pollination of revolutionary ideas across Europe that would mark the end of monarchies in Europe. Fast-forwarding to 2012, when the Arab Spring started in the streets of Tunis, many dictatorships were toppled in a matter of months or weeks the likes of Hosni Mubarak of Egypt, Ben Ali of Tunisia, Muammar Al Gaddafi (though there are conflicting debates around the demise of the Libyan leader, which in time I shall return and discuss at length my views). Some monarchies across the middle east sought to reform, not explicitly but some reforms were implemented in states such as Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and The U.A.E. among other states. In that same whim, journalists were at the forefront to tell the story of the people by the people for the people. Unfortunately, this then meant the work of the journalists led them to become public enemy number one automatically and unintentionally. One such critic saw its fate at the mercy of authoritarian regimes in the late Jamal Khashoggi. In essence what I am building upon here is that journalists play an integral role in weaving, maintaining, and consolidating mass consciousness on matters that matter or are of national interest. In that same breath Article 19 then comes to the fray in protecting humanity, based on the unanimous reasoning that it states it safeguards the propagation of information from one point to the other. This then leads one to mention the accelerated consolidation of information from yesterday to today.

History repeats itself and the men of new cease to learn from the men of old. When the Nazi party rose to the summit of power they had a minister of propaganda Josef Goebbels. He was the mastermind of the image and ideas of Adolf Hitler. That saw the manifestation of concentration camps in places like Auschwitz where millions of Jews-, and Romani people were murdered, fast-forwarding to the era of the soviet union under Josef Stalin the media was consolidated to best serve the views of Stalin, where persons such as Tomas Schuman akaYuri Bezmenov defected to America. The war on terror in Iraq when and where the whole world stood by and witnessed Iraq being invaded in 2003 and agreed with American propaganda that saw the collapse of Iraq and saw the rise of ISIS. Trickling down to Africa Mobutu Seseko maintained a firm grip on what was to be said about him and his administration. In the same breath from 1998 to date under the Mugabe, the regime arrested the media and was consolidated under one blanket no an Iron curtain that saw the bombing of the Dailynews headquarters in Harare then led to the banning of the media house for almost a decade in Zimbabwe. The above cherry-picked historical incidences play or sum up the perspective that suggests and explores the role of independent media. Furthermore, the above point explores and raises the point that notes that people in power will consolidate the media or the journalists and nudge them to narrate a tale that best fits and meets their expectations as they are institutions of power and power has been arrested from the hands of the people and have been rested in the hands of a few elite persons. They believe they have an unwarranted and undebated responsibility for the destiny and determination of a country. Which is then at odds with contractual expectations of the trident of democracy. In essence, journalists play a role and should play a role in telling like it is-, as is and how it should be without fear or favour or any allegiance. This then leads one to raise the conversation around the role of Mister Chin'ono as a journalist that has seen it fitting to use his skills to conscentise the people of Zimbabwe of the true reality of Zimbabwe. Understanding the reasoning behind the above segment one suggests that we pay attention to the November coup of 2017. It is undoubtedly and undeniably the statesman "Mugabe" had fallen short of the support from everyone, the nation, the army-, and even his closest allies all shunned him. It was a matter of time to witness the fall of the then once-revered leader that fell short of being an immortal. Thus the public of Zimbabwe and the whole world witnessed a power struggle between the old guard and the new guard. Which then resorted to the old guard to spurn and act as if they are giving Zimbabweans the freedom that they yearned for. Alas, Zimbabweans were dupped only to realise we ended up holding a pound of fools gold, what happened in Egypt happened in Zimbabwe. What is being woven in this body of mental conversation is that Mister Chin'ono among others that have dedicated their time, efforts, and energy to safeguarding the remaining remnants of the 2017 euphoria use their hard-earned platforms to raise mass consciousness. From one's view is the echo of article 19, thus we are witnessing the remnants of information being wrestled by those in power and those that want to be free thinkers. 

From one's point of view, I perceive and understand that Mister Chin'ono's speech in Geneva serves no harm or ill to anyone. As it serves to spread the information about what is actually happening in Zimbabwe. Therefore in any whim of inspiration based on the platform that inspires the advocacy of democracy, it is important for those that are skilled in extracting accurate information to do so without fear or favour they have woven or yoked themselves against the responsibility of telling the truth and tell it as it is. Thus giving the people the onus of deciding what to absorb and not to absorb. It is not up to the state or its media or any arms it has to restrict the masses to decide on what to listen to or hear but to decipher on their own. This then means intimidation should be off the cards, threats must be off the cards, and intentional harm to another has to be off the cards. The focus in this regard is to build or break down further and raise the following point. The truth is inexcusable, unavoidable, and cannot be removed as it must and should serve the people. When people in power decide to harass those that have the sole responsibility of doing their job or fulfilling the code enshrined in Article "19". It then becomes a problem, one of the pointers that I have noticed is that when one seeks to harm another. In which they know that what they are doing is wrong and they must not undertake any activities that seek to harm anyone. The truth yokes at the same time it liberates. 

It cannot be debated nor may it be denied that ever since the nation of Zimbabwe founded its independence it has been marred, tainted by corrupt officials. Officials traded the camouflage for the suit. The project Zimbabwe was never intended to build a nation, one nation; the project Zimbabwe was forged against the notion of maintaining the old order that was established by the Smith regime. Then forged to benefit the newer custodians of the farmhouse. In order to be in the house, you have to kiss and shine their boots to the extent that they recognise your activities-,  and you are given a morsel or two of bread from their inherited table. The rest of the nation we all become infinite versions of Boxer the horse. Work for the state, build the state, ask no questions, the reason no more, do as you are told-, and build the windmill until you die. Then replaced by another boxer the horse version two-point-eight, a system that carries on and on until time decides to collapse. This then meant that a fertile breeding ground for corruption, nepotism, and kleptocracy took a firm foothold within Zimbabwe. In one's proposal though debated as is one might suggest the roots of democratic decay started in 1982 when Gukurahundi started. Due to the fact that no one is willing to discuss the actual causes of the "violence". So far what can be submitted before the counsel is this hypothesis, "Gukurahundi was a politically inspired move that had the intention of establishing a party state, the common enemy was removed however there were two bulls in one kraal. Each party had a dagger hidden behind the back and it was a matter of time before the masses' observed in Mugabe was the first to make his move, again it is a hypothesis that is still being developed with time hopefully a conclusive submission shall be made public". The capture of the judiciary in the 2000s with the firing of Anthony Gubbay meant that the appointments that were and are to be made were all anchored around a spoiled, polluted appointment system which in turn all witnessed 2002, 2008 violence that saw the death of many MDC supporters. 

In the focus of maintaining political control of Zimbabwe and economical control of Zimbabwe, it has to be understood forthwith. In Zimbabwe, those that run the politics of the country are the same people that are running, monopolising, and controlling unabatedly the commerce of Zimbabwe. This then means that the politics and economics of Zimbabwe are forcibly conjoined. Therefore there is not much nor there is much autonomy in Zimbabwe both politically or economically for any Zimbabwean to self actualise. This in turn means that the masses are at the mercy of the elites of the country that have instead kept a state, they in turn have privatised a state. Thus making Zimbabwe a feudal state in the twenty-first century. A distant cousin of Eswatini, if the economic opportunities are limited the chances of self-actualising for any person in any field of profession is either non-existent or slim "unless you are part and parcel of the system". In one's observation, this then reverts one to pinpoint and observe that the government of Smith has reincarnated itself in the twenty-first century in essence Zimbabwe is haunted by the ghost of the future past. Basically ever from 1979 to 2022  the country has never seen or witnessed any growth that establishes its original vision, "Of making Zimbabwe a Black Eutopia". The consolidation or gatekeeping of every facet of the industry that comes to mind has resulted in Zimbabwe devaluing and becoming one huge ass-backward state, that still yearns and suckles on yesterday's rhetoric about itself. When in actual terms that rhetoric belongs to the Smith regime as they formulated and designed an economy that best served the white minority. In Zimbabwe, the economy has still been designed to serve the elites with the same vision as Smith. One might suggest and submit the reasoning as to why the powers that be want to establish a victoria falls stock exchange ie creating a parallel stock exchange from the Harare Stock exchange. The elites seek to maintain and consolidate and create two ajar perspectives of a country. Therefore defeating the ends of the reasons that inspired them to go to war in the first instance. This is my suggestion if you have a point and reasoning to share with me and the rest of everyone go ahead, the purpose of this body of work is to trace and try to figure out the reasoning behind Mister Chin'ono's efforts that have led him to present the case of Zimbabwe before the world in the year 2022 in Geneva. 

In one's observation thus far the privatisation of a country such as Zimbabwe has created a system that disregards the ethics that are woven against the hallowed garment of access "democracy". The simple word "access" has become more valuable than gold in Zimbabwe. This means the access to education has become expensive, the access to health has become expensive, the access to food has become expensive, the access to justice has become expensive for the ordinary, however, if you are part of the one-percent access becomes a simple word as simple as reciting the vowels "a,e,i,o,u". In one's suggestion, the Covid19 pandemic had its perks of being a negative catastrophe and also being a positive catastrophe. In this, I mean that if it is a positive catastrophe the ineptitude and the tomfoolery of the elite came into the full glare of the public. Triggering a surreal experience that leads one to question what is Zimbabwe, are there parallel perspectives of Zimbabwe. In turn Journalist, Chin'ono served as the sacrificial lamb that exhibits and proves the social experiment to be true. The state of Zimbabwe has become no, has been a kleptocratic state, a kakistocratic state. Where virtually if you know someone at the top, you can get any tender you deem or wish to own or want at that point in time. In essence, this means that instead of opening the due tendering process that welcomes everyone that is willing to serve their country the government of Zimbabwe. According to The Sentry Organisation during the Command Agriculture program. Sakunda Holdings were given the task of providing the services that the government needed to get the program moving. The red flag according to The Sentry Organisation report is that the tendering process was not followed which then raises concerns around the appointment process of who would be persons are supposed to service the country's needs. What this means is that if there are any loopholes or errors or any fault such as inflated prices for services there are no records of that. Furthermore, what was the reason to grant the contract to Sakunda holdings when a private company is meant to be in full access to taxpayer's money? Let alone the owner of the company Sakunda Holdings is the advisor of the President another red flag that affects the processing of clearing and making sure that the interests of the public are best protected in essence what can be understood. Observing to the report is that the failure of following due processes has resulted in corruption to have an uncontrolled, unmonitored, unjustified enrichment of persons that have never gone through the processes that must be followed when hiring any firm to do a job for the government. This then affects aggressively the livelihoods of 15 million Zimbabweans. Legal Tender? - The Sentry

In 2020 during the height of the Coronavirus Journalist Chin'ono uncovered a corruption scandal that was afoot in Zimbabwe. The scandal was centered around the procurement of Covid19 equipment and the Ministry of Health had acquired the services of a company called Drax. Subsequently resulting in the scandal being called "The Draxgate"Zimbabwe Health Minister Draxgate article, the case resulted in the Minister of Health Obadiah Moyo and a series of arrests were made. To of no success to this day, however, Journalist Chin'ono became a person of interest to the institution and he was arrested based on frivolous charges that have not been resolved. The reason being-, is that the journalist was doing his job of exposing the elites of the country that are and were in business with shady characters.  The price for speaking his truth the journalist spent forty-five days in prison without trial and then spent twenty-three days in prison without trial and then spent twenty-one days without trial. The Highcourt eventually threw the case away, in total Mister Chin'ono spent at least eighty-nine days in prison without a trial which is almost three months of a year in prison without a trial. 

Corruption in Zimbabwe is not only a scourge it is a pandemic that has destroyed the very fabric of a country, instead of awarding people based on merit. The system has become deplorable to the extent the people awarded key posts are based along party lines and who can slob on the boot the most. The appointment of ill-equipped candidates has not only resulted in the country to further downgrading its key potential it has opened the floodgates of ineptitude and inadequacy. 

The endemic corruption in Zimbabwe has not only resulted and exposed the country to the wolves it has left the life of millions of Zimbabweans to be at risk. It will not be a shocker if critiques suggest that Zimbabwe is a failed state, or it has already achieved that unflattering achievement. Since 1980 Zimbabwe has not achieved any resounding achievement that ensures the progress of a country, cyclone Idai came and went people are still destitute, Covid19 came is about to go children have lost three years of schooling. The children that depend on public and mission schooling-, therefore. The honest question that would rise to the floor would be must Zimbabweans blame sanctions for the inadequacy that has incapacitated the whole nation. According to Journalist Chin'ono, "two-thousand five hundred Zimbabwean pregnant women die each year from childbirth". Furthermore in an alarming article Seven babies stillborn in one night in one hospital indeed there are various causes that affect mothers to experience stillborn babies. However, in all fairness, there are outside factors that do play a significant role in leading women to have stillborns. One of the many significant factors that can be suggested in this essay is the lack of infrastructure development over the past forty-two years and counting. There is a gap between institutions and those that are running the country. The ones that assumed and believed that saving the people is their duty when actuality they are saving themselves "the people".

"The voice of the people is the voice of God", so it was spoken to this day the voice of God has been morphed into the voice of a mouse housed in a church. 

A journalist becomes a public enemy number one when they speak out of context when speaking of the contrary not the contrary of the national direction. So they speak their minds, so they face wagging tongues. In conclusion, a journalist's role is to inform the people of what is going on in the country. It is up to the people to decide what they want to consume based on their own reasoning capacities. Therefore skills such as reading at any age must be emphasised in order for people not to be misled or misinformed. The basis of this essay is to highlight the importance of journalists in today's society where misinformation has been at an all-time high and is never stopping. 

You choose your truth. 

All I want is to return: A review of Sampa The Greats Album: The Return.

 "All I want is to return..."

The Hip-Hop genre on the continent of Africa has been rocked and inspired by a plethora of sources and terrains of inspiration. In the whim and wind of free-thinking the ajar worlds, separated by the sea and the hands of time. Standing by the doors of no return, the soul of the African seeks to return to its former self through rhythmical wordplay that is worldly yet timeless. As the winds of inspiration carry the legs light over the sea of words, I am taken aback to gaze-, and ogle at the Atlantic ocean as I am reminded of my kindred that was kidnapped, sold by their kindred-, and many were plundered by the colonialists and slave traders that viewed and saw it fitting to exert their godly righteousness to its other people or races in the name of religion, law, and power. The enlightenment of the soul is then frozen in time passed on from one generation to another. Dating back to the times of Miriam Makeba, racing to the days of Thomas Mapfumo we get to understand that free thinking has been the vehicle for African liberation. A person that is not aware of its history is like a compass without a needle. Then we are brought to the worldly view of Sampa The Great, The Zambian-born rapper is a force to reckon with when it comes to lacing words of wisdom against an Afro-jazz hip hop inspired beat. The Return by Sampa the Great is a masterpiece on its own. Zambia raise your hands up, Africa raise your hands up, the Queen of Hip Hop music has arrived. In as much as there are other MCs on the continent and industry, Sampa is just in her own lane and her own league. Others seek to use other means to substaniate their claim to the rapping game. Sampa does not need any of the gimmicks to prove a point all she has done is give us the amazing body of work that speaks about the African in the present time, the album to me becomes a personal interactive space or window because I am experiencing the life of an immigrant trying to make its claim in this polarised world "enough of me, let's revert back to the Kween".

The Return by Sampa the Great, is a masterclass a rare gem on the Hip-hop scene, and what a time to be alive. The rapper's full name is Sampa Tembo, hails from Zambia, and has extensively grown up in various parts of the world. To me, I suggest that the globetrotting part of her life has had an influence on her music and pen game. Which saw her manifest a timeless body of work that reminds the wondering soul that home is where the heart is. I am reminded of the phrase, "you can take me out of Africa, but you cannot take the African out of me". In a space and time where conscious rap is shunned because the machine is dictating the quality and quantity of the music that is and should be produced on the circuit. Sampa to me has mastered the art of dropping conscious nuclear bombs and still appealing to the machine. She has graced Coachella 2022, and her performance was as spectacular as always, the neon soul of Africa and the world coming together is an explosion of a well-curated work of art that not only serves to entertain the masses to the acute and attention you are also given your fair share of serving that always keeps you in the realm of consciousness. To be fair to you right now, listening to conscious rap is not about looking for the devil in the church-, or looking for the baboon in the mountain. In one's view, conscious rap's intention is to keep the consumer aware and alive in this polarised world where realms are constantly at odds with each other. In space where the real reason Hip-hop came to be regarded as a work of art the same way as classical music, rock-, and roll. It was and is a movement that challenges or rebels against the machine and the system. That has for over five centuries and counting is still messing up people's lives based on the virtue of being in authority and then consciously messing up people's lives in the name of the divine right to be the custodians of this realm. Therefore hip-hop understanding that the ills of society within the black community and the black culture are not preserved there and then we were brought into witnessing the rise of gangster rap in the naughties that was rocked by the likes of Niggers With Attitude, Tupac, The Notorious B.I.G., Wu-Tang Clan, Grand Master Flex and the Furious Five, MF DOOM "all caps when you mention the man's name", Queen Latifah, Lauryn Hill, RUN DMC. Hip hop was not deemed appealing and also attractive to the gatekeepers, the ground reflected otherwise. Therefore, the genre's potential of being a commercial success and reaping off the backs of black expression art. There and then saw the rise of pop-rap the type of rap that is modeled against the needs and wants of record label executives casting away the surreal art of expressionism as it stands morally in carrying the voices of the marginalised and seeking to raise awareness of the ills that the rapper talking about. In the hopes of bringing societal mass consciousness and then finding means and ways that are sustainable to the community. In essence, the art of rhyming against a beat that is jazzy inspired or traditionally inspired is to at least communicate through sound to the community the need to change and to change for the good. Therefore bodies of work such as Water by Nikita Dawson and The Return by Sampa the Great serve as a reminder of the need to cleanse ourselves and then return to our homes, the true home, it is either returning to yourself or returning home. Therefore the double entendre of the title itself is a trojan horse into the subconscious mind that is trying to rationalise the real world and the ideal world. In this same breath and wind, the whim of finding the north star in the space of madness becomes an existential crisis that inspires action. Therefore we are then brought to this point, upon looking at the cover art of the album, The Return. It is worth noting that we are introduced to a plethora of conflicts, we see Sampa seated wearing all-white apparel to her left "your right" there is a body that is dressed in Zambian traditional attire and then there is a house that is built of bricks. One might suggest that it is the conflict between modernity and culture, where does the African stand, who is the African in the space where black voices are not heeded nor even tolerated as they are dubbed and witnessed interpreted as insignificant. So to me, I suggest that Sampa, is not only reminding or preparing the listener for an Afro-surreal experience but you are part of the experience. I am not sure what you are going to evoke after going through the body of work I am sure you are going to understand yourself. In essence, Sampa the Great, reminds me of the song by Lauryn Hill off her album, "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" the track's title is Zion. The juxtaposition here is that Zion is home, as an individual you are bound to return home therefore the title The Return. Furthermore, the point is metaphorically affirmed by the house that is behind Sampa. A home in accordance with the African eye-, is a place of rejuvenation, a place where the bearings are brought back to alignment. We live in a space littered and laid with different types of energies, and we are bound to veer off course as we interact with various bodies of energy that attempt to veer one-off course. Therefore this title by Sampa is the necessary introduction and preparation for any unsuspecting soul. That intends to listen to an enlightening body of work. Understanding the commercialisation and the sexualisation of female MC's in the industry. The type of singing or songwriting is then inspired by the commodity that is always in high demand "sex" or "sex appeal". Sampa has navigated around that space or lens giving music lovers a body of work that is reminding them of the true intention of hip-hop music. Sampa evokes the royalty of hip hop music, especially the fundamental role that women across the continent of Africa have played in evoking mass consciousness. Thus in listening to The Return, the album is a body of Afro-Surrealism, a body of Afro-realism all converging at a time where and when the African is seeking understanding of itself as it carries out its existence with due diligence. The body of work echoes the views of the magnum opus of Kendrick Lamar, "Section 80, Good Kid Maad City, To Pimp A Butterfly, and Damn". Therefore not only Sampa has given us a poetic sonic, but she has given us a timeless work of art. It takes the attentive ear to grapple with the consciousness of Sampa the great and her magnum opus. In the track Final Form: "Y'all already comfortable stuck up in the matrix", the idea behind the matrix is that you can never escape the matrix, you cannot run away from the matrix, but you can glitch the matrix. You can become the matrix as you are part of the matrix. In one's view the matrix is that space of mental and moral consciousness that understands the hinges and the codes that trickle down as it has not only enslaved all, but as well as boxed us. In a guinea pig caught up in a wheel type of situation. Becoming the matrix is at least expressing yourself to the extent that a part of yourself is inked against the walls as hieroglyphs are printed on the walls of the pyramids of Egypt or the Khoi wall paintings. Upsetting the matrix is seeking one's liberation, as institutions of higher learning are focusing on assembling the best bot worthy of the matrix's needs the bot that does not meet the criteria of the matrix then becomes the glitch that seeks to dismantle the conveyor belt. In essence institutions of higher learning are churning, assembling, and releasing bots that are comfortable serving the matrix however, they are failing to solve their own problems. Give that bot a lifespan of four to five decades after serving the matrix it is spewed out and replaced with another. It has never actualised in its twenties, thirties, and on. Therefore what is the point of existing when the being itself struggles to find its purpose. In essence, Sampa in that line is encouraging mass consciousness into embracing the Afro-surreal experience that is advocating for freedom of the mind and soul. The track Heaven: "Have I told you 'bout the time where I almost died? Almost tried to fit in with the new tribe", the track embraces the existential reality of fitting in as an outsider. In the wake of mass human migration, the body and soul as they are traveling the passage of they are caught up in space of yearning to belong. The track telepathically communicates back to the title of the album The Return. Lastly, The Return: "Mirror Mirror On the wall, Who's the blackest of us all..." this track is the rosetta stone of the louvre of this magnum opus. The track speaks about the soul that is screaming and seeking to be found in itself, within a plethora of casted souls that are seeking themselves within themselves. This track is a spiritual track, a prayer, a dua, worship, a surreal escape to the vulnerable. As the globe is witnessing mass migration of human beings. The battle of fitting in and at the same time holding on to yourself becomes a battle for anyone that is going through the immigration battles. From an outsider trying to find their place in this world sometimes writing down what I feel becomes the only avenue, I can take at this moment as myself is searching for myself. In essence, I might be afraid of tomorrow thus I preserve myself within these words that I have weaved to show my appreciation through praising Sampa's amazing body of work.

In conclusion, this album is a magnum opus, it is a prayer, a body of Afro-surreal experience, that is timeless and has rivaled, surpassed the already set-, and determined to be the elite music meant for the masses. I am excited to see and hear what Sampa is going to take us next. This Album is a must listen over and over again until you are tired, Sampa has outdone herself. To top it off she is a Grammy Award winner, that Grammy nod cements Sampa as one of the best in our era. 

Congratulations to Sampa the Great! 

Afro-surrealism understanding the ism in various perspectives: A reaction and understanding to the ism.

 "2018 The Year of the Afrosurreal"

Afro-surrealism is a state of being that evokes a sense of being that seeks to break down the reality that does not make sense therefore, the medium that seeks to understand the nonsense resorts to blending. The alchemical approach of synthesizing the complexities of reality from a black eye use Afro-surrealism. 

You are in the space of time and reality it is a constellation of ideas, the past, the present, and the future. In that wind, you understand the existence of the conjoined timelines. The past is the future, the future is the present in its present state-. The human being's "subject of interest" seeks to embrace its reality as it tries to make sense of the complexities that are interwoven in this reality, thus Afro-surrealism embraces the complexities that come along with being period and then investigates to the core the root problem of the period. With the whim and the goal of sparking a conversation or dialogue so as to find answers to the intricate unanswered questions to the secrets of the black struggle through metaphors. The bid is not to waste anyone's time, the intention is to source the cognitive reasoning through mass consciousness. 

Take a look at the back, simultaneously looking at the front. 

Time floating away, yet we are a part of the time, time is us and us is time. Therefore there is a symbiotic relationship between time and humanity. Humanity is a part of the time and it brings being into one's space to make sense of what is happening in the moment and space. The human being tries to bring all to sense feels as time floating away. As history repeats itself it becomes a never-ending fragment of existence. In the bid to rationalize black, history, black identity, and black existence is then bent through words for one to have a look into the mirror of words that is willing and yearning to connect with other distant souls. Therefore Afro-surrealism becomes the vehicle that is able to connect with everyone from the diverse Afro community. A harmonious connection with every being under the sun, the metaphysical elevated consciousness of thought processing that brings every black person under the sun to be aware of the dream space that has consumed itself from within and from outside. A never-ending spiral dark void itself thus literature, music, and art,  plays that key elevated conscious role that brings everyone together; to bring dignity to the black person in this time and moment. The Afro-surreal space is necessary to transform how we see things, interpret things, and embrace things that occur around us. In this space, we look at what happened then and what we can. 

 Leopold Senghor "Afro-surrealism is mystical and metaphorical"

Afro-surrealism sees that all others create from their actual lived experiences and therefore surrealism is an escape into the realm of inner reasoning of all the elements that restrict growth and fore-reasoning. Furthermore, Afro-realism is about the present, past, and future all occurring in that same space and time. Context is a necessary part of the journey into understanding Afro-surrealism this means that the view focuses on the lived experiences and a surrealist experience is meant for the people to be able to connect with the product that is being produced. The modus operandi is to humanize product and consumer, an idea that focuses to inspire and trigger dialogue. 

Afro-surrealism is about the present and about the past, and the future. 

Afro-surrealism exposes the future-present the RIGHT NOW, therefore the school of thought is always seeking to address the needs of the current time, therefore it never gets old as the struggles for the marginalized communities expand and extend through millennia.

The school of thought is a form of drifting from spectrums of understanding or reasoning. This means it is a contemporary culture on a rowboat with no oars, entering the city to hunt down clues for the cure to this ancient, incurable deserve called "Western civilization".

 Afro-surreal presupposes that beyond this visible world there is an invisible world striving to manifest itself. Therefore art from the lenses of artists serves as that vehicle that brings reasoning and comprehension of the contemporary conversation in society. One such Afro-surrealists would be Harmonia Rosales, the artist who designed the cover art of Nas' Kings Disease. 

An investigation into the unknown, it recognizes the impact of human nature which generates the surreal experiences that any other process could hope to produce. The spectrums of timeline observation in accordance with past-present experiences such as colonialism, slavery, and neo-colonialism. All are symbols of black awakening, "the Phoenix rising from the ashes", Afro-surrealism identifies the glitch in the matrix, and seeks to address the glitch through art, vice versa this means that the interpreter of reality becomes awakened of the glitch that it witnesses in that time and space. The discipline looks at the beauty, the sensuous, and whimsical for the "rational-minded". 

Afro-surrealism looks at the highly-paid short term commodities "as opposed to poorly long term one (slaves)". The school of thought excavates the remnants of this post-apocalypse with disdained flair. Exploring further, a reflection of yesterday's icons is a source of inspiration to the nature and structure of the art as it reflects the theme of Afro-surrealism. The harmonization of the past into the present evokes the essence of humanity and being as it's inspired by the ethos of existence and this means that death or those gone are still a part of the time. The past strengthens the future, the past prepares the future and present. 

Understanding further Afro-surrealism through the lens of the movement one gets to note that all others who create from their actual lived experience are surrealists. In the sense of the surrealist's experience, one gets to observe that the observer struggles to embrace its reality as it does not add up to its observation. Therefore Afro-surrealism is the gate or medium of the nonsense to the sense that is kept behind the lenses of the common eye. In essence, the observations of Laury Hill best assert the observations of Afro-surrealism, pay attention to Jordan Peele, Dany Glover, Lakeith Stanfield, as for the African context one would suggest that Dambudzo Marechera embraced Afro-surrealism religiously-, and his works such as House of Hunger, Black Sunlight, Cemetry of mind, among some of his works. They amplify the absurdity of reality in words best come into the projection of the works of Marechera.

The work explores and excavates the remnants of the post-apocalypse with dandified flair. 

D Scott Miller says, "The critical response to living in an unreal world that you must treat real lest it beats you down". The quote essentially reflects the views of Afro-Surrealism as it manifests the ideals of black emancipation through raising mass consciousness.  The Afro-surrealism is an incomplete letter, someone tempered with the letter, therefore the people that practice the art through their work attempt into bringing sense to the missing elements of that letter.  

The perspective of reality becomes surreal as it reflects the inconsistency of humanity the sense does not make sense what is deemed reasonable becomes unreasonable. In essence, Afro-surrealism is a vehicle that reflects the conscious reasoning of society brought to light through mass consciousness of the oddity of society through the emotive conversation of the intense complexities of the existence of humanity. The voice of the voiceless becomes amplified by the use and collaboration of the absurd and incomprehensible. Is the selling point that submits the effectiveness of communication through figurative speech. The work is introspective in nature where metaphors like the sunken place are used to explore painful truths of the murky nature of being a human being in one's view the vices of man "which I am not immune from as well, I am part of the problem as well".

Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, "I am the product of the masses of my people and the product of the enemy"

Understanding the concept requires consultation from a plethora of sources and basing one's understanding is something that directs the producer and consumers into one desired direction "mass consciousness". The historical existence of Africa and her scattered children, the tragedy-, and the transformation from the material, that surrealists draw inspiration from as they define the core mission purpose of the art form. Therefore being an Afro-surrealist does not mean you are perfect nor are you stellar, you are part of the problem in your work you are trying to find the answers that define the meaning of the problems that are there. Therefore Afro-spirituality becomes a north star, as it defines the essence of blackness. 

Spanning the map of Afro-surrealism what can be understood is that the school of work is vast and extensive. One can suggest that the vastness of the universe is the prime juxtapositioning of Afro-surrealism is the best experience that makes sense in the current contextual reality. This further means that there are aspects of the ism that may be discovered, that have been discovered, that shall never be discovered as it is vast and extensive. Thus in one's stance, there is no answer to Afro-surrealism there is no definitive conclusion to Afro-surrealism therefore it would be self-righteous for one to claim that there is an answer and all should follow it. The reasoning is based according to this notion, ideas and concepts from an Afro-surrealists observation add on from where the previous practitioners left off. A never-ending cascading river into the reasoning of the absurdity of that time and in one's observation it has to be quantified and it should make sense. Thus time becomes the ally of any practitioner of the discipline as it is the only form of reflection and reference when it comes to the craft and those that are seeking understanding in their lifetime.  

The practice is anchored around blackness and black rebellion against the system as it has proven to be exploitative, restricting-, and suffocating. Therefore the yearning for the independence of the mind and soul is then manifested around the imagined world that has been brought about the identification of body snatchers, revolution highjackers, cultural diluters, and culture vultures instead of advocating for violence. Afro-surrealism sows the mustered seed of black rebellion-, and suggests that there is a future for the formerly and presently disenfranchised majority. In Afro-surrealism, the art or the ism illuminates the basis that would be used to amplify creativity, social activism, and mass consciousness. In which programs such as economic recovery through knowledge sharing as the basis of the problems of society are then tackled through Afro-surrealism. One might suggest the reasoning around Leopold Sedar Senghor's vision around nation-building through art, though twenty-five percent of the national budget was earmarked for art development in Senegal. Furthermore, a country's evolution can be inspired by Afro-surrealism. 

Things float, fly in surrealism, darkness defines more than light and this means in pain there is joy in pain, we find ourselves in pain, the mind's spectrum's perspectives are broadened through pain. Thus one can suggest this thought that Afro-surrealism can be understood as religious practice or activity that seeks is spiritual as it seeks to connect with the soul, an elevation beyond reasoning, a practice that defies the gravity of practicality based on the western-inspired lens of reasoning. The being is defined by its adversary, tribulations, and trials, that have defined the black person. This does not mean that pain defines the black person, but pain serves as the vehicle that brings the marginalized community together and is able to be masters of their own destiny, "the black man is capable of managing his own affairs"

"Afro-surrealism and fees must fall" hold that thought I shall return to this topic in the future.

Afro-surrealism-, looks into the following aspects of fall and rise, tragedy and transcendence, slavery and freedom, death and birth, and rebirth. 

Afro-surrealism knows no borders, knows no boundaries it brings the conscious understanding that all marginalized persons from all the corners of the globe are united by the tides of history.

According to E. Sellin, there is a concise distinction between surrealism and Afro-surrealism, obviously, the prefix "Afro", be that as it may, there is a deeper diverse distinction between the two isms which are. Surrealism is pitted against a certain time and place and eternal surreal feeling that is founded upon an agreed space of practitioners that share a similar scope among themselves. As for Afro-surrealism, the ism is a never-ending conversation translated from the absurdity of moments and time to the "surdity" of moments and time. As this means that time is not constant in Afro-surrealism as compared to surrealism.

Historical occurrences are a mainstay in the contemporary view of Afro-surrealism discussing historical revolts, the use of signs which have a meaning as one critic puts is a mental space that is unbounded and it equates all lost ones into one space that brings them together and unites against a common enemy that has brought displacement and angst upon another race. This then does not equate nor may it justify or may it inspire conflict, it inspires self-determination and self-actualization among the dispelled and despoiled many that they can rise above their circumstances.  Therefore the metaphors are the gateway that communicates and manifests n the minds of the masses after they have gone through the journey.

Furthermore observing the nature of Afro-surrealism as an ontological model admits of no chronological or geographical boundaries and readily accommodates everyone under one bracket that acknowledges that there should be universal consciousness upon a specific topic, as the vices of the mortal men are the detriment of the mortal men. 

Poets and thinkers such as Birago Diop and Leopold Sedar Senghor, their works extensively echo Afro-surrealism as they expound the negritude as a catalyst or accelerator and anti-catalyst into societal acceptance. This means that the school of thought around negritude and Afro-surrealism is that they dispel the notion around the stereotype of how the black person has and is perceived to be incompetent. The field of work advocates for a tolerable and respectful view of the black person, the black person can see the world and can define the world for all to borrow and learn as well. Thus having a voice at the table, understanding the voice at the table, and respecting the voice at the table. In epistemological codes, the African voice is still scraping its way to being universally accepted as it should be witnessed like the rest of the world. It is ironic that African Art that has been plagiarised by persons such as Picasso or Elvis Presley, they all founded their careers around black exploitation. In essence, what is being forwarded and argued in this topic is that Afro-surrealism amplifies the negritude as a status of being that not only must be viewed from a whitewashed lens but should be viewed from an equal lens into observing the acceptance of the product by all in the same breath all should embrace the same breath that focuses on listening what the negro also has to say about this world as well. 

The discipline is a medium of artistic independence and it evokes awareness, and mortality, and it is aggressive "revolutionary".It suggests awakening and self-awareness as the complete remedy for all the ills that have plagued the historically marginalized voices. Historical occurrences play an integral role in affirming blackness as a legal approach as it allows the law student or practitioner to embrace the origins of the medium called the law and how it has been brought into existence as a tool of conquest, not a tool of advancing civilization. Through the lenses of the cis-gendered, heterosexual Judeo-Christian white man saw fitting that the law must be abided because he deems so. Thus Afro-surrealism plays an unequivocal role in addressing the flawed bearings of the African legal practitioner. Migrating from being sheeple to becoming the wolf that hunts down the sheep that are used to propel ineptitude in the black community through "epistemological enlightenment" whereas the black man can and is able to the master of his own intellectual destiny that then seeks to evoke sustainable justice. As compared to its perspective around the ideals of accessing justice. Within the lens of justice according to the African interpretation, one submits the notion, that suggests that the law is not used for the purpose of correction, the law is used as a tool to delete and destroy the dignity of the African. Through the religious apprehension of the views of the chief architects of the law, that carried the agenda of deleting, eliminating, incapacitating, and dismantling the African and all would be free thinkers. However, afro-surrealism evokes the African approach to law as a theme of restorative justice and corrective justice. In essence, the humane nature of law is withheld by the discipline of Afro-surrealism. 

The impact of the mass awakening has a cascading effect in suggesting the policies and ideas that are formulated and constructed around the interest of the people, in turn, whatever you produce in mass you are expected to recover in mass. The ideals of commerce centered around humanity become the founding pillars of humanity, not the ideals of mass exploitation that then results in consumerism that then has an avalanching impact on the environment. 

Afro-surrealism does not force anyone to awaken, nor does it seek to create a cult out of cognitive universal reasoning, as has been reflected and projected by the machinations of mortal men. The discipline submits the universal truth and the truth which is undeniable as it speaks what the masses understand about their worldly reality as compared to the assumed truth that has been universally forced upon the majority through, death, kidnappings, and conquest. 

The reasoning allows one to access their own truth at free will and find their own answers at free will, that they seek within themselves and they convincingly understand that it is in the best interests of themselves and those affected by the machinations and constructions of the mortal man, basically Afro-surrealism notes the following: find your truth, understand your history, embrace your circumstances, find that which is harmonious and is in tandem with mass ideals of the affected. In the best interest of peace, tranquility, and serenity all fashioned against the universal goals of peace and harmony which are difficult to attain, if given the chance they might be achieved. 

Therefore contextualizing the school of thought communicates with telepathy with the Afrocentric ancient sacred ideals of Unhu. 

Afro-surrealism creates a contrary expected reality, that many desire to witness "The city of Wakanda". The ideals are in accordance with the "rational" mind that deems and understands justice through the lenses of Afro-surrealism. The disciple of the ideology is presumed, assumed, and observed to be beside itself. In essence, what is real what is not, what is the truth, and what is not the truth. Therefore human interest is the influencing notion of Afro-surrealism. 

Afro-surrealism contradicts universal apprehension of the deemed acceptable route of conduct within society. As society is buttressed against the exploitation of the masses all for the benefit of the few. Afro-surrealists convey the notion of critique against justice as it is viewed from a microscopic lens, and its flaws are amplified. Thus, the ajar contradicting modes of the practical reality that is on the ground that is tainted and polluted by the human needs that transmutate to the seven vices of men. Thus creating a symbiotic relationship between reality and surrealism, one needs the other to be alive, a ying to the yang of the other. Afro-surrealism acts as a reminder to the negro folk: hey wake up from your stupor and claim your birthright like the rest of your folk.

2018 might have been declared the year of Afro-surrealism, I propose that Afro-surrealism is an annual process, it happens every day, therefore until the end of time. Afro-surrealism is a part of humanity, what does the crystal ball hold, it says the truth is in Afro-surrealism. 

Into the sonic deep end of Water by Nikita Dawson

 Well, the big day "28-03-2022" arrived and brought with it an amazing body of work and I am excited to share with you my appreciation, experience, and solar wonder of the body of work that is timeless, immortal, and forever. The bottom line is that this body of sonic excellence has given us a work that leaves us thinking, wondering, contemplating, and marveling at the thought process that leaves us mind-boggled until the kingdom comes yet it reminds us of the moment that we are in at this timeous existence that reminds many that music is not only a tool to dance to. Music is existence divined through the merger of being, time, and humanity. All crammed and jammed together to allow us to have a body of work that reminds me of Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill, and Sade all brought together to remind the many and few that this is what allows you to contemplate and acknowledge that I am alive and I matter and I am human welcome to sonic roller coaster into the deepened of Water by Nikita Dawson. 

It is a body of work that has seven tracks, a blue water cover art, that has a perfectly merged with contrasting hues of the blue colour like a poison dart frog of the amazon. A colour that reminds its predator's that come at me, I guarantee you a guaranteed end to your being but I will give you a heavenly experience that reminds you that you are going to be taken to a world that is not of this timely realm where matter and time are molded together turned to stone for all to gleam, beam, and behold till the ends of time. And so, right there smack baam I am alive; just a snippet from Mercuries hastily heals I am taken across the path of time, taken to the past, thrown to the future and then brought back to the present. Right there that is what the cover art of Water takes one to the seventh heaven before laying your ears to this divinely strummed harp that reminds us that words and instruments serve us to exist and to become in this period by the period it is a euphemism for immortal "forever". 

Water it is one of the many works of art that reminds me of SOHO in the eighties where they are then translated to the twenty-twenties, Hatfield, where the Pretoria region is a reflection of the past while the future stares through the mirror. 

Track #1 starts with some weather effects showing you that you are being taken through a flowing river a river of passion and youthful pleasure, plunging youthful desire. Taken through a journey that crashes you into an elevated spectrum that gives you the listener that there is love that all of humanity gets to experience the gorgeous fountain of youthful bursts of pleasure sultry and assuring. This line, "I got my demons that I gotta un-tame, shadow work no misbehaving" get yourself drenched wet of the youthful bursts of intimacy gets the endorphins racing to give you a caressing huddle that makes you aware of the meaning of youthful timeless existence, that is like an approximately ten to fifteen minutes at max twenty minutes, either way, it is allowing the pearly gates of Saint Peter deliver that which elevates the conscious mind into a heaven that they have never been before. This line slowly and lacely teases the primitive hormones that are as old as humanity that have been passed on from one generation to another trickling down to this time and age. Let the water flow, let the never-ending moments take me to a place that only a few dream of images to be granted to be involved or to be a part of. Let the rawness of my being burst into flames like a phoenix and in my eagle form, I am soaring high I hang there like a glittering chandelier that is marveled and gawked at by an audience of one. Free my beast like the gods Olympus that have released the Kraken before the people of your own made up city state. Turn me into stone with your eyes Medusa where I stay in this stone state forever. In ones perspective that is the feeling that races down my mind upon listening to the youthful, pleasureful lyrics laced with the raw, unbiased untamed youthful gratification of the moans of relieve and like a bird that has been set free to grace the skies as it should do, right here is the solar sonic wonder of this track. The aura of sultry silky soul freeing soul that searches for a heaven of the willing to be free and released for a moment.

Track #2 starts with what I call the duality of being that are in congruence with each other that they seek to be taken away from the moments that roar into the heart of an individual that is seeking healing from within where that within and in within there is a within. A never ending experience that is yearning to be heard and to be free. The contrasting vocals where there is a calm voice and an antagonised voice, it can be interpreted as the afflicted part of the person that is asking to be taken away. To a place that they may be free from the shackles of humanity , the shackles of being the mortal limitations that have taken many away from the elements or plains of mental calmness "take me away..." Take me away from the trauma, pain, and the African Horror Story that seeks for humanity where there is nothing that is only the offspring of the angels and the women, what came out of there were an offspring that have brought pain, despair like flooded humanity boxed in a box that is not suited for them to be in. The track gives out a zoo experience of understanding that humanity with its self-imposed limitations each being is like an animal that is in a zoo, and it is sad and it looks at the other free being all it can communicate in the telepathic spectrum that the recipient may and can understand from a conscious intricate high pitched tone that humanizes everything is the fact that one seeks, asks to be taken away to a realm where if possible may feel human again. 

Track# 3 Begins with a dreamy energy that takes the listener and gently unwraps a waterfall of human emotions gushing into each other without restraint. The beauty behind the madness of youthful passion that tastes so sweet so succulent to the heart of the being that is seeking to be within the warm arms of a loved one, that is willing to be a part of the other. The song is an emotive collide of two souls that have mutual respect and admiration for each other, the song is saying "look I love you and I want to be a part of you with your permission, I see you and I making a perfect match and you complete me and I cannot get enough of you, if that is ok with you...". Intruder, is a soulful song that shows the vulnerable facet of love, of the innocence in love. The innocence of fire, in the innocence of a lion juvenile. With its big beaming eyes, the beauty of time and moment takes one through the heavenly presence of powerful emotions and passion all flooding the hall of humanity. The song speaks of giving me that which souls deserve serenade the purity of time right through the flow of raw aggressive human need of being in the company of that one being that gives the meaning to being in love as mystical as it is as simple as the combining of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. The tide washes you onto the beaches of Mauritius while the sun is setting plunging into the deep secretive caves of the silent night, a night that sees it all and tells no one. Only those present in that time can, may, or will behold the secrets that are only kept in the heart of the night. The song gives out the hellish desires that race in our bloodstream only to give us a box of passion wrapped by a red bow. The devilish eyes are unleashed to the few and many that are not seeking to be tamed all they want is to be free and taken to a dimension that many dream and desire to be a part of only if invited shall, may, or will have a bight of the virgin black diamond apple or the pink pearl apple or the knobbed russet apple. The sultry sensation that this track takes one through is that only a few, and many could understand the celestial plain that is extraterrestrial. Escape with me into the abyss that no one does not know where and when it shall end. This song is liberating to those that are in a prison of mortal ecstasy. Give me all of the mental sanity that leaves one secluded in a four-walled prison of sexual liberation, and it is willing to get messy and unashamedly reveal its unforgiving rawness of the gorgeous secrets of being alive, take me away to a place I do not have to worry about tomorrow. 

Track #4, takes us through a silky silhouette, the tracks of a fulfilled guilty pleasure that gives the listener to enjoy slow mature music for budding mature people, allowing them to reap the raw virgin fruits of their youthful lusts and sassiness. "You did a bad thing", that repetition gives out a guilty pleasure that has been fulfilled but it wasn't supposed to be fulfilled because it is the wrong space, place, or time, yet or but it has to be fulfilled. You know when you bind yourself to a contract and you are obligated to fulfill the demands and expectations of the contract, in that metaphorical sense that is the projection that I am getting from listening to this track. This song has that scene when a couple has raw sex at a wedding in the car while the bride and bridegroom in that moment when they climax the bride and bridegroom are exchanging vows. 

Track#5 Let it go just breathe, demanding closure is that song that takes us through the struggles of being a human being, hey I need you and I need answers all I want is to be with you right here right now never tomorrow. Yet again liberate me if you may so I may know that I am just another human being that is going through a lot in this time. Do not leave me hanging I need answers to this enigma that I do not know about but I need you to help me into understanding this pain I am going through. Let go just breathe, I don't wanna feel pain. Liberate me now and I need you to bring out that I seek to have been given. In which it is closure, you know when someone breaks up with you and you just get over the fact that they have broken up with you and you just demand closure, the closure comes about when someone is trying to find answers that may or will give them the closure that they are seeking. A perfect break up song one to listen to when they are having a never ending cascade of questions into the answers that they are trying to seek when their significant other has left the scene. There and then its twelve midnight and its raining outside you make your way to your excess place you are soaked wet, eyes red, knock by the door and you expecting your ex to open that door and at least explain to you the real reason that led him or her either way to arrive to the conclusion of ending a relationship that you thought in your world it was going on well. Therefore the suggests a remedy to counter this feeling and that remedy is laced and sprinkled with love that emits that aura that says "hey i see you and you are bleeding, guess what do this therapy session it will help you". Let it go just breathe, alluding to the adage time heals everything. Time the mortal nemesis to the human being, yet it is the aura that may help you to realise healing if you give it time to teach you the secrets that lies within itself as it is celestial, godly being that even the gods themselves fear to wrestle with. Yet Nikita reminds the listener that in as much time is your mortal enemy in times like these it is your only ally that can help you in your time of need. 

Track #6 This track presents with an energy of the need to find answers within yourself, while that one night stand, that sneaky link, that one you retreat with to your climax. I need answers again in asking you the meaning of being in a relationship. The purity of young dumb love that does not yet understand what tomorrow but I want you right here, right now. The sonic experience that is woven in this song gives a dark heavy undertone, that takes me back to the toxicity of scared and fractured realities they are intertwined in a space that struggles to find the meaning purpose, and sentimental essence of being young, wild, and free. In that space, there are conflicted bodies that are in agreement and at the same time at odds, with everything and that thing is that defines what it means to be human, so this track to me elevates the fabric consciousness that tries to consolidate what it has grappled in an ever fast pacing world that has no time to listen to the needs of the other. Freedom is a yearning ecstasy of that is defined by the human need to at least be immortal, sings in ballads of praises and sounds that liberated the conflicted person that seeks to be through the other when they stare the other dead in the eyes. This song is like a double-edged sword one end I am in love with you and the other is fed up and is tired of being alive depression a part of being alive may, cannot, shall, or could be named or tagged against the essence of the secrets of the history of men. What is pain without joy, what is happiness without pain, how can you miss something or someone when you have never left home. The sense of belonging is defined by the loved ones in our lives. In the much-amplified spectrum, the song is an emotional tumble and tussle into an infinite spectrum that no one knows where it started and where it may end. This song reflects a plethora of colors, colors that speak about the existence we are all living striving to survive in this reality and make sense of it all, I yearn to be in love as a young person, the other side of life is reflected by the depressive lyrics in the featured artist. This song takes us through the pages of time, that no one knows where, when it started to the end of the unknown depths of this abyss. 

Track #7 The final track of the EP, this has been a sonic ride into the core and depths of an artist that has captured the sound that defines its intricate skills. That cuts it above the rest that is still trying to figure out their sound and trying to be perceived and appreciated by the market. Dawson has just not found her sound she has mastered her sound that needs to be given a chance for it to mature and claim its stake in the market based on the grounds of authenticity. She captures and embodies sound and art into one timeless body of creative genius that has mastered the art of even surpassing some of the household names that are gleamed and paid attention to this ever-competitive market. This track starts with a series of heavy introduced beat that captures the listener's attention and it reminds one of the intense music that has been prepared to grant you a heavenly escape. An escape into a realm of freedom "feeds into choices". The harmony between the beat and the vocals is an ever-liberating need that gives the hypersonic existential reality that invites freedom, liberation, in just the composition of the track. An escape into a plain that is designed to free the soul from all the impending adversaries that have hindered many from understanding that the closer is one to understanding the essence of being the more or better is one to comprehend the existence of their own being at that moment in time, "closer to God". In one's suggestion, this line is ambiguous therefore singling out one specific God would not do justice. Therefore one may or might suggest that what is being expressed as God is that which one finds freedom and that one is bound and finds freedom because it is its God. Thus God cannot be singled out in all fairness. Basically, find that which liberates you and maybe it is that that gives out the free will, freedom, and free realm into self.

In conclusion: this seven-track EP "Water" has been masterfully arranged and produced. In the significance of the number seven one might suggest that it is a body of work that speaks of the completed humanity, the completed body of work that is worthy of your time attention, and appreciation. A sonic journey into the complexities of being youth. The conflicts, the congruence of emotions all jammed up in one organic space that allows you to be free and liberated. In one's submission, Nikita is one to watch out on in the music scene of Africa. She is believed to have the skill of harnessing the skills and talents of wielding the talents of the Pied Piper of Hamelin. I am excited to find out what is to come in this lifetime let us give her time and she will gladly grant you a masterpiece. She belongs to the international scene and she deserves to stay there until it comes to an end. 

You ain't ready for what is to come, there is a storm coming SA RnB is about to turn on its head.

 When babies are born or we are born. We are born clenching our fists firmly and tightly as if we are travelers that have arrived in this realm and we just took whatever is there before us and we shall create magic with these gifts that we have been gifted by the creator or universe just to be able to survive in this realm of the flesh and blood.  2022 in Mzansi's music scene is proving to be yet another stellar year, a year that many ain't ready for what is to come. All I can say for now is there is a storm coming and I have warned you that the content no the tracks that are coming are going to leave you begging for more and wanting more. 

In my conviction, South Africa's RnB scene is taking itself to the stratosphere, no to the stars, no to the summit of your imagination and you are going to stay there until you have had enough but for me, you will stay there until the end of time, until Atlas exhales and drops the whole world that is resting over his shoulders. 

Many reviewers and predictors might bang their pots and talk about this and that, who and who, that one and this one to me, they are mere Pluto's in the presence of Jupiter. They are mere wannabes in the presence of pure air, calm air, pure energy. Calm as the tranquil Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe. Whose heart and aura is as gorgeous as the heart of a gift from the gods themselves. Surely... surely this time the gods are not crazy, she is the female version of Prometheus, she stole the Harp of Cupid, the armor of Athena, and the purity and innocence of Persephone and she wields Mjolnir and Stormbreaker at both ends ready to bring down the RnB space to its knees.

 If you are a regular listener of TuksFM you might know the following artist that has the following lyrics "let it go just breath, I don't wanna feel this pain.." Nikita has an angelic voice, a nymph's melodic hymn that lays eggs in your ear canal. If you listen to another track an earworm will wiggle and take residency in your ear, but this worm is a good earworm. As it unleashes the soul to the heavens and it stays there until the kingdom comes. 

You might be wondering where the hell is this piece going, enough with pussyfooting, let us dive into the core, crisp, of this passage. Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce to you Nikita Dawson the songstress has an enchanting voice that evokes that tames the raging waters in you, the chanteuse tames the beast in you, the songbird chirps till your heart comes to ease. As we are on the backdrop of her latest offering titled, "Sonder Water", this singer is gently making airwaves the time the market realizes her talents she will be long gone, way beyond the market scene of Mzansi. She is that chanteuse that has a voice and sound that deserves the attention of the world. On TuksFM during the Top40 hosted by Venita Engelbrecht, at the strike of 11:20am Central African Time. The hostess of the Top40 announced Nikita's latest single titled "Intruder" the single is for the mature at heart yet sexy to the soul. As I was listening to the track as it was being played on air, I realized that this track is the track for the intimately connected. The track evokes the demon time in many, the track is sultry, sexy, and innocent. The track got me daydreaming of that moment when my dearest beloved is around and we are fooling around like lost pups should be in a consensual space that is. The innocence behind this track brings out the demon time that lurks within. The beauty of existing and being young, wild, and free. The penmanship invested in this track is just stellar is just heavenly, for the lovers I recommend "intruder" to be on your playlist. 

Observing from a distance the effort and time invested by Nikita as she offers a portion of herself to us the listeners. She takes time to produce a timeless classic, music not suited for the grown mature and sexy. Her penmanship, production is for those that understand the intention and meaning of art, her art is for those that understand the complexities of life yet make sense out of it all. Thus making her a standout artist that offers nothing but pure magic. In understanding and appreciating the circumstances that are before us as a generation, where the machine is the one that is dictating what is pure art. In my regard, the machine is just spewing out subpar artists that have bodies of work that do not match what they have to offer to the audience. As for Nikita from her tracks such as demanding closure to Sonder water to Bliss. Nikita has mastered the art of hiding in plain sight and her art is dedicated to those that understand the value of music based on the honest appreciation of the time and intention invested in the art in itself. Most might fail to understand her music as it is music that vibrates on a frequency that is way beyond the general ear of those that have been turned into sheeple by the machine. Nikita is the embodiment of pure class, genius, and greatness. Her sound and vision are that of the major global platform where her sound will laser cut through to the grand stage of major platforms such BBC Radio 1, Hot 97,ZiFM Stereo, MetroFM, 5FM, TuksFM among other top radio stations globally on streaming platforms such as Tidal, Spotify, AppleMusic, Nikita's music by the time the regular ear comprehends her approach it will be like, "fam! you came to the party late, but no harm done; take a seat and relax enjoy the music". She is a star where many have been designed by the machine, and they are told to sell, and tell the story of the machine. 

To be given the access that many "industry plants" have Nikita will floor them and leave them introspecting and asking themselves what the hell have they been doing all along. She is a songbird that weaves a perfect work of art that is timeless as time itself, that matures like wine, and that leaves you addicted to the art invested and process considered to usher the community into a space that is rare and hard to find. All I am saying here and I put my writing career on the line for this Nikita is one star that does not need an introduction. The time you listen to her music you know that she is here to stay not for a season like most, she is here to stay for a while and she has just begun. 

My recommendation would be that jump on to the Nikita train while it's still gathering momentum buy your golden ticket while it is on the offer. The golden tickets are slowly selling off the counter so hurry while stocks last. 

The Chanteuse is an amazing singer that vibrates on the frequency of your Eryka Badu,  Alicia Keys, Aretha Franklin, Miriam Makeba, Cesaria Evora, Chiwoniso Maraire, that frequency of heavenly explosion that offers the listener a liberated soul that is not afraid to tell its own story. Nikita has worked with Majorsteez on the 2019 track D.N.D the vocals laced in that track are just magical. She is one RnB songstress that is putting money where her mouth is at. South Africa's RnB scene is getting a major facelift and Nikita's voice is the pillar that is asserting itself as one of the continuous pillars that define the genre of South Africa and the rest of Africa. The texture, the skill, the approach, the technique which is uniquely related to Nikita and Nikita only. In my view creates her own worldly space a space that is for her and those that appreciate her delivery and interpretation of the genre as it is designed to serve those that appreciate her unique talents. Nikita is only a matter of time till she gets the masses' recognition, she has arrived and does not need to explain herself and her talents. What a time to be alive to witness a talent, a work of art defining the space, the genre, the music scene of South Africa and Africa. This is just the beginning and there is more to come and I was never ready...

Keep your eyes and ears leveled against the ground the album is dropping soon...

A message to Nikita, you have defined the art itself, your approach to this genre is epic and I know your sound is going places I believe in your talents.

Osama by Zakes Bantwini: My journey with Osama, a life long experience.

 An excerpt by Venita Engelbrecht host of the TuksFM Top 40,  the excerpt has been borrowed to give context and to find a point of departure in this piece. Venita was announcing the track (Osama) as she was announcing she then said the following, "A big hot track that went viral this year (2021).... and although it went viral and was liked by many it still left people listening to this song (Osama) very confused because they just couldn't figure out the language it was in... FUN FACT: Zakes finally revealed all a while back and Can I just say pure genius is in this song. Osama (the song) is not written in any specific language... the song is written in tongues and the reason being is that Zakes wanted to touch each and every soul and he knew the only way to do that is to not link a specific language or message to the song. The song speaks about the lion within you Osama means Lion. The beauty behind Osama is that the words can mean anything you want them to make sense to you. For some, it can be a prayer and to others, it can be a club banger it is all up to you, a spiritual thing but to you or to someone else it can be a love song. It's (Osama the song) whatever you interpret it to be!" thank you, Venita, for the notes.

The South African music scene has been dominated by the Amapiano genre which got people dancing since the pandemic started way back in 2019. Unbeknownst to the masses' consciousness, a track was being cooked, without any warning in the late quarter of 2021. A club banger was released and it has gotten people across the racial, cultural, sexual, and ideological spectrum dancing. The intensity of this song got renowned brands lining up to work with the artists in various campaigns. The mass appeal that this song has gotten the masses dancing, praying, singing, ululating, and merry-making. Others claim that the song opens up their third eyes, others claim it makes them walk on water, while some say all their worries are washed away to the depths of their rivers of sorrow. All that can be beheld in this tangent is that this body of lyrical magnum opus is that it is a track for the people, intended by the people. Therefore making the track be appreciated by all, over and above in all goodness this track is going to be rocking the airwaves for decades to come and this is why I state so. 

This track feels like one going through a luscious green plain, a dive into a dimension within a dimension. The harmony behind the vocals and the percussion is a heart-tugging feeling, a soul snatching feeling, a mind arresting feeling. You can just swiftly dive into the flowing lyrics, to the common mind they do not make sense. To the elevated, heightened mind the lyrics make sense they are a commune of the intangible through the vocals the abstract becomes tangible. The once blinded eyes become anew and they view the world anew. This track is a track that is textured, curated, crafted to allow one to have a spiritual baptism, in the four minutes the soul becomes raised to the stratosphere. After listening to the track, it feels like you have completed your passionate baptism, and you are birthed anew. To an extreme exaggerated view, the track can be likened to a drug, the track is addictive. It lays eggs in your ears, after a few seconds of gestation an earworm wiggles in your ear. It will take residence in your ear and arrest your soul and you become a loyal listener of the track. All in all this track has been tailored to cut across the spectrum like a laser beam seamless and accurate. In the name of the culture, others would call the track "a spiritual thing". Ladies and gentlemen welcome to the world of Osama by Zakes Bantwini and Kasango.  

In my analysis incorporating my artistic lenses and literary approach, when the track was released I tried to avoid listening to the track with a lot of people around me. I felt that I will not be able to connect with the track as it is intended to be felt and appreciated by the creators. I, therefore, took time to listen to the track, as I took my take in cupping my ears, arresting them in the prison of my headsets. I felt as if I have self-immolated myself in the musical genius that was"is" before my presence, I laid my ears to the crucifix of musical artistry, self-inflicted imprisonment which I am gladly embracing and taking full custody of as if it is my own child. The song does not demand anyone's approval, does not expect anyone's validation or stamp of praise. The song is so good that it speaks for itself as it is a work of art, a magnum opus of the twenties, a track that has matured like cheese, fermented with great accuracy like wine, has been brewed with excellence like umqombothi. Chosen from the finest ingredients available to the market and presented before us as we are inspired to open our hearts to welcoming a track like no other in this day and age. Understanding the synthesis behind this track one might take a glance a try to paint a picture. A picture that dates back to the golden fifties of  Sophiatown when the Apartheid government was in full control and whisking away the lives of many and prospects of others. Sophiatown was it place, a place to be a place where all the worries of the tyrannical government had to be cast away and opened a new page a page where freedom for humanity was understood. This track "Osama" in one's view evokes that feeling of incomprehension and juxtaposing to the reality that is upon us. The similar tyrannical approach of governments is not similar to that of yesterday, in the name of public health people have been restricted, constricted, and have witnessed their rights being arrested by governments and cooperations. A similar sentiment reminds us of the importance of being free and alive. This track "Osama" is that vehicle that advocates for the total liberation of all against the clatches and shackles of the mafia-like organisations that have imprisoned all in the same of law and order. When in reality the custodians of leadership in many cases are the ones robbing from the people. This song is not a mistake, nor is it a coincidence this song is a gift from the intangible plain to the tangible pain. This song is a song for the people, a reminder that you have the will to decide your own destiny. When the experts have failed to come up with the tangible reason that has led to the collapse of humanity. The song empowers all to understand that the truth, to all of our lies, rests in you. 

Upon listening to Osama you get to realise you are on an independent journey, a journey to nowhere yet a journey somewhere. A deep celestial dive into your heart of hearts, the leveled calm vocals are textured to speak to the one that seeks their eyes to the code wove in the intangible lyrics, the truth to this tack lies within you. This decade or window from 2019 to 2020 mushroomed a lot of motivational speakers, the gurus of life, the fundis, and philosophers of life. When in reality it is another human being that is trying to make a quick buck by looking all glossed up and manifesting a superficial perspective to the assumed answers of life. When in actuality the truth lies within you, the answers to this world rest within you, the solutions to your unique hurdles take home within you. Therefore drawing a juxtaposition to the track as it is intelligible we are introduced to another perspective of the song as it is reminding all that have their worries and seeking answers to this intelligible reality that is life. In all in all as it does not make sense you find sense in the nonsense. Thus in my view, the approach incorporated in this track is to empower the listener into understanding that the truth that we all seek does not lie in the next. Live your truth as you have found that truth as it is with the rest of everything as there are many ways of solving a chess problem like so in life there are many ways of solving your own problems. This track can be seen as a motivational track, another reminder that Zakes and Kasango with melody are reminding all that you do not need a motivational speaker to go after your life, to fetch your life. You need yourself, your intuition as your heart and soul decide to make sense of what is before itself. In one's observation, this track is dispelling the nuances that have mushroomed in this day and age as grifters and con artists have decided to make easy money through dosing people with lies so as to look and seem relevant within the eyes and ears of the many. When in reality the truth that you seek, in the intelligible lyrics as the world is they all reside in the heart and soul of one that views its reality " we live in the same building but we got different views" That is how the mastery of this song has allowed humanity to understand that there is no need to be dependent on anyone. Find your truth live it, understand it, practice it, and know it in embracing your intelligible journey you make sense of the reality that you face and you do not have the conviction of imposing your view upon someone else as you understand your reality. Thus the philosophical approach to listening to Osama as it allows the listener to make sense of it all through their own understanding. 

Osama means Lion, the symbolism of the Lion is a curated and intentional approach to evoking the animal in you the listener of the track. From one angle we are brought to understand that in African culture, many ethnic groups use animals to identify themselves. The various animals in the animal kingdom that have been incorporated into African culture are as follows, Leopard, Buffalo, Zebra, Monkey, Lion, Elephant, Eland, Porcupine among other animals and monikers. This approach is a conscious code that the artists have woven into this track. As humanity is facing a stern test into survival as everything has been pushed to its limits. The conscious critical question around animal welfare has been brought to the picture, many lions are being kept in captivity forced to reproduce, and then sold off as exotic pets, trophies, or for medicinal purposes that the human being find marketable only to satisfy its gluttonous urges. In order for humanity to be able to survive the impending doom conservational practices have to be incorporated and ethics have to be practiced in order to survive. Therefore here in one's observation this track uses the Lion symbolism, in one's suggestion they are raising the conscious question around the welfare of nature and its species that beautify the world. The work is a conscious work that discusses the importance of nature in our lifetime and what tomorrow holds. The symbolism of the Lion can be further explored along these lines, the listener is of royalty, the listener is of majestic grace and opulence. The listener is strong, as the lion claims its territory, so should the person claim its territory. In suggesting this anecdote further, the Lion is a confident animal, sure-footed like a goat scaling down a palm tree. In the same breath, the listener is a lion they are being encouraged to claim its stake in this world. Without prejudicing anyone as they chase after what is theirs and what has destiny prepared them, seek after that which is yours, race down that is meant to be yours conjured by the efforts of one's hands. The symbolism of the Lion is sacred and majestic, spiritual, and important to African culture and religious culture. As is the Lion is a revered and respected animal from rugby to football, to companies, to brands they all use the Lion as a moniker a representative of what they believe should and is the culture of themselves and just the Lion moniker speaks for what they stand for and believe in. The Lyrics as they dive deep they evoke the Lion in the listener's heart. The roar of the Lion is a sign to all potential enemies not to trample nor dare to cross its path or else they will feel the might and thrust of the Lion. In the lyrics, there is the part that goes "Oh-oh-oh" here it can be interpreted as the Lion being copied as it is roaring. The same approach of the roar of the listener being evoked in the listener claim your stake, claim your territory, be ready to defend your legacy. Thus again here the writers of this song are realising us to understand that nature and humanity are interwoven. One finds being, purpose, and existence in just mimicking the Lion in the same thread the Lion in one's heart resurrects in the heart of many. 
Osama the Lion is always alone in the savanna plain as it claims its place in this world. The same experience of being African, the African is reminded that it is alone and it has to be strong as the Lion. As the Lion can feed itself the African has the will to feed itself, cater itself, and protect itself, Kwame Nkrumah once said, "the African can solve its own problems". In the same school of thought, the Lion stands tall and defends its identity and so the African, or anyone can and has the capacity of defending itself. 

 Osama is an evocative song that is tailored and well-curated, textured, and tailored to be in communication with the inner person. The person that has a yearning of being free, to feel alive, and not just being alive but being alive with a purpose. A purpose that reminds the listener as the life ahead expects one to be strong, confident, and firm in their conviction. Evoke the Osama in you and become liberated the person that you are destined to become awaits you to realise that liberation rests and lies in one. 

This song "Osama" carries a celestial aura that grapples the ear and the heart. Taking a look at the video's introduction with the guest appearance of the legendary actor Prof John Kani gives, rather emits the reconstruction of the scene in the Black Panther movie. The scene is an iconic scene and well-tailored to deliver the vitality of African culture, the majesty of African culture, the richness of African culture. African spirituality is woven into African culture in everything that the African does is spiritual. Tracing back to the way we eat, live, interact, and prepare our food. It is a spiritual practice that is alien to the commercial, capitalised world that is soulless and out of touch with humanity. African culture is a dream space that expresses the dogmatic aura of having a calling into the various gifts we all have as we have been brought into this reality we understand that existence is not a matter of what can one get out of the other, it is what one can give to the other. As is Zakes approaches Prof Kani in the scene.  Therefore we all gifts a purpose in this world evoke the Osama in you and seek within you what you can do to give back to the world that has made you. The journey of finding purpose, and intention is a lonely path and heavy over and above it is tempting, tempting to quit as it is scary. Thus our wisdom strength and understanding of what or that bothers humanity or us in our independent spheres the answers lies in the elders of our community. The importance of elders in any community especially in African culture resonates with the existence of time, appreciates the importance of time. In the journey of self-discovery or reeducation elders are there to provide wisdom and suggestions which can be used to solve contemporary issues so as to preserve the humanity and sanity of society.  The importance of elders in any community is a cultural trait that maintains balance in society.  It reminds us all that for a community to survive and avoid chaos the older generation and younger generation need each other. In the name Ubuntu or Unhu in African culture, one cannot conquer a task alone, one cannot achieve or overcome a problem one needs the counsel of others and the wisdom of elders "makomo anponana mhute" the song further expounds on the need of the younger generation to respect elders as it is indefinite that paths of destiny or life are not governed by the mortal man they are governed by the bearers of the odds of fate, therefore, it is important to keep the goodwill of energy in one's conduct, "chisinga sangane makomo, nzizi ne nzira zvinosangana". 

In much none-African literature or folktale, they are composed around a central figure that is molded to have achieved feats alone one such example the mythology tales of Hercules, the prowess of Ghenghis Khan, Alexander of Macedonia, they are romanticised to have achieved great feats alone whereas in actuality they achieved the feats from the help of others. Whereas in African culture and folklore each triumphant feat is structured around the community. The contribution to the quest of preserving humanity and being all resonates and rests before the community working together. Thus it is everybody's effort to contribute to the greater cause of existence through the cross-pollination of ideas to find sustainable concepts into preserving and furthering humanity.

Osama is an electrifying song that will be relatable and relevant for the foreseeable future, due to the intense commercialisation of art. The essence of many tracks has lost its value because of the view of trying to be hip and trendy. The dangers of it all are that the tracks might be a hit for at least a month than in the coming months or years to come it will have faced its demise a sword of Damocles which is upon many tracks. However, in my regard Osama, I foresee this track as a timeless classic that will be played Until the end of time and the end of humanity. It is a dark horse of a track that snuck up on the audience without setting off the alarm. The aim of this song in my regard is longevity, given time the track will mature like wine and be served with class and pristine. The track is a masterpiece that deserves recognition like any other body of work granted the track's potential it has the potentiality of getting people dancing in the summertime. In the northern hemisphere of the globe as they will be partying Osama will be their summer track. On the international scene of Ibiza, Paris, London, MiamiManila the track can reach that type of audience and even get them dancing to their feet. Osama is a track that deserves a nomination from the AFRIMA, to the SAMA's cascading to the MAMA's, though these are my sentiments and my opinion it is up to the gatekeepers to do what is right. We all know that the award ceremonies are political and they are rigged and political as cooperations and music labels are all baying for the attention of the masses and they are driven to incorporate hooks and crooks. They forsake the sentiments of appreciating art in its purity In my universe this track has won my award. 

Osama birthed that is birthed from joy and pain, the pain of being a negro is like being in a never-ending trial. A battle of one firstly, a battle with itself, then its family from the family squared circle smack bang into the squared circle of the community then the whole country it is whole tribal warfare that is afoot. This song is the birth of ajar worlds that complement each other, what is pain without joy, what is life without void, what is existence without all the misery and triumph. This stream of thought was evoked by Mrs. Madida nee Mngoma from an interview she said, "...the song is a reflection of where everyone should be...". Comprehending the quote it can be suggested that what is being communicated by the couple is that everyone is in a moment and that moment is that is meant to inspire the best out of one in as much as reality and the hands of fate deliver what they believe are the challenges of life whether good or bad it is up to the recipient of the challenges to decide what is needed to be done in order to preserve themselves from the tides to come that may wipe off many from the face of existence.

Glossolalia: "the phenomenon of (apparently) speaking in an unknown language (tongue) especially in religious worship. It is practiced especially Pentecostal and Charismatic churches."

Osama expands on the tangent of:

Xenolalia:  "the ability to speak in a language which the individual has not learned"

Furthermore,

Akolalia: "A speaker, speaks in one language and the hearer hears in her/his own language (or one s/he) understands"

Osama is an embodiment of the above three pillars as is it a commune of the three coming together all blended into making the song and telling the African identity as it is designed and respected and observed as part and parcel of the human circle. In the intelligible one's stance, purpose and origin are inspired by moments of not making sense but there is sense. Involving Akolalia into the fray the song is written in a language that is not understood or known but it is woven to give the listener or recipient of the music a comprehensive appreciation of finding the truth that lies within themselves as mentioned above. In listening to the track one may suggest that the idea woven in the song was to be in commune with everyone and be able to connect with the soul. Zakes and Kasango avoid using a particular known tongue or language according to Zakes they did not want to be confined by the views of people. Furthermore suggesting that the writing style and composition of the song is to nudge to find a gem of truth within. Zakes and Kasango intention was to connect with everyone that gets the chance to listen to the song. The medium of using music which is a universal language, good music has no bounds, cannot be boxed, and may not be categorised. Good music is transcendent, good music is consumed by the people and is designed for the people. As they listen to themselves they find themselves being universally connected by a single track. 

Examining the lyrics the writers mention a number of key influential people and places. In the song, they mention Angola according to a News24 article Zakes says that he loves Angola. In one view the mentioning of Angola in this song one might suggest that Zakes is paying an homage to Angola and extending his appreciation to the country as it played a pivotal role in assisting South Africa in finding her independence away from the apartheid regime. MK fighters would get their military training in countries such as Tanzania, Zambia, and most of all Angola. Another angle that can be involved in this thread of thought would be that Zakes mentions Angola he is expressing his appreciation of the country and he is saying Angola is his home too. A way that can be seen to be used to bring the people together East, West, North, and South Africa is our home and it belongs to every African that hails and has belief in the continent. Furthermore, Zakes mentions titans such as Miriam Makeba, a titan that fought for the independence of Africa with her voice and she was a leading thought leader on the continent to today her thoughts are appreciated and consulted all the time in search of the truth that creatives seek to embrace in order to understand the value of the work that they produce. Elders play a role in the cultural preservation project, in the identity preservation project, in the conviction expressing project. The name dropping of Fela Kuti in the song, a maverick of African beats i.e. Afro Beats, that held governments to accounts through tracks such as Zombie, Lady, yellow Fever, Teacher don't teach me nonsense, Water among other songs. Fela was and is a cultural icon that serves the same talents on the liberation of Africa as Miriam Makeba. Therefore the newer generation of creatives and everyone that is inclining their ears to this magnum opus, in one's suggestion would be that the answers that Africa seeks lie in the elders of yesterday. Finally, Zakes mentions Lilongwe in the song, a city that he appreciates as it is meant to guide the people into appreciating the beauty of African names, the beauty of the African language.

"It (Osama)is a prayer to someone, it is a spiritual thing to someone, to someone (else) it might be a love a song it's whatever you interpret it to be", Zakes Bantwini

Osama is a song that can be sung in haste or a song that can be sung when one is at ease. A body of art that has stretched the chord of artistic genius, honesty, vulnerability, and intention. A chronicle into the life of a human being; artist's creatives are receptors, gateways, intermediaries, go-between the invisible world and the visible world. Therefore this body of literary genius is a representation of the purity, honesty of music from Africa. It is neither commercial nor indie it is just a body of work meant to celebrate art, immortalise Africa and celebrate humanity.

Osama is a subjective song a song that is not a generic song that is basically saying power to the people. The people are the ones that decide what is an art not cooperations. Anybody of artwork is meant to be consumed by the people and not a pod of people that have to determine the value of a body of work Zakes is essentially giving power to the listener "raging against the machine". 

The song sows the seed of hope, aspirations, and the thought of believing that everything is going to be alright.

As we part ways for now in one's view Osama is a good, no scratch that it is a great song and I am looking forward to more tracks that are tailored in the idea of serving the people and giving them what they deserve. Maybe Mr. Zakes will read this blog today, tomorrow, or never from one blogger that appreciates efforts kudos, sir. 

To the audience and listeners thank you for your time. 

Here is a poem for you inspired by listening to Osama

I'm taken aback, as i...
Bang my chest with pride
Wearing my leopard skin shoal
I stand before the banks
Of the mighty blood river
I listen carefully to the wails,
Of my fallen ancestors
I gaze to the summit 
Of the Drakensburg
I behold unkosi  yamankosi
uShaka serenaded by the 
Ululations of Nandi
My hope rises like the sun
Shines bright in the dark like the moon
I walk in the valley
Of shadows of uncertainty
May I live to tell the tale
That many have failed to tell...