Big Zulu breaks down the meaning behind Mbayimbayi, a love song inspired by home Bergville
Big Zulu and Sjva are big players in their own rights. In fact, both artists have cemented their names within the music industry and have scooped up accolades along the way to show for it. So when these two heavyweights announced a collaboration, it was an obvious tongue wagger.
The anticipation from fans was quickly quenched as the duo released their first single, ‘Umbayimbayi’, that is taken from their upcoming one-time only joint project dubbed Ukhamba.
Speaking to Big Zulu, he says growing calls from fans for the two to work together became too loud to ignore and although the pair have been in the studio together before, “it wasn’t the time, I guess.
“We knew that a time would come for us to work together and seeing the outcome of the album, we are extremely excited and we can’t wait for people to hear it.”
The album, which is due on May 12th, took two weeks to complete in January – writing and recording the music on the spot.
“The energies aligned and that is why we were able to complete such a significant album in just two weeks. It has been a labour of love and we hope the music communicates that to the people,” he said.
Upbringing
The pair both hail from Kwazulu Natal’s Bergville, a small town that is situated at the base of the Drakensberg mountains. And like any upbringing is different, so was Big Zulu’s childhood that was made up by nuances of a typical rural life, “things and experiences that people from the more urban areas would deem as suffering. But those are experiences that made us who we are and made us strong as we are,” said Big Zulu.
Whatever the experiences are, paying homage to this part of his life became extremely important of late, he shared.
“Looking back is a very important concept and that is what this project does for me. No matter how hard or enjoyable the situation(s) might have been like, looking back helps one celebrate and receive the now even better, with understanding of what it took to get here now. “
But also, going back to their roots is also about representation, he explains. “That one can remain true to oneself, not changing at all, but that you can still make it. ” They hope their music is inclusive enough to inspire their hometown that the sky is the limit and that the only power one needs is remaining true to themselves in order to make it.
Mbayimbayi
The literal meaning of the duo’s first single song title Mbayimbayi is a cannon field gun that is powerful enough to bring down a tall building. But for these two hopeless romantics, who have always brought love songs in their own special way, the Afropop ballad fused with Maskandi jam is their proclamation of love, but in their own way.
“While growing up, we had a saying that mountains can hide things from you – particularly someone you love, but then we thought of saying ‘we will buy our lover the cannon guns so to break down these mountains and they will be able to see us always.
“It’s a love song that uses a saying that we grew up to and references. In that way, we bring people into our world while giving South Africans a song they too can own as theirs,” said Big Zulu.
Inkabi Zezwe
The name which the two artists go by is Inkabi Zezwe and while the most popular meaning of inkabi is hitmen, Big Zulu says the name can be interpreted in three different ways. When two group cows are tied together for the purpose of tilling the soil – those are referred to as inkabi, a relationship of brotherhood and also the meaning of hitmen.
“In our instance we are brothers and we use our words to kill the bad energy in our society. We want to use our words to heal the world, to tell stories and this album does exactly that.
“We are really happy with the outcome of the album. Especially judging by the amount of work we put in, it really does make us proud,” he said.