MOONGA K. ushers in a soulful spring with the release of his album GARDEN
MOONGA K. shares his long-anticipated album GARDEN. The album spans, joy, rage, love, power, and powerlessness, all artfully woven together by MOONGA K.’s undeniable soulful vocal talent, interrogative writing, and deep commitment to creativity and self-knowing.
Moonga Kapambwe, popularly known as MOONGA K., is a Zambian-born and Botswana-raised singer, songwriter, activist, creative director, and sociologist. Now based in South Africa, his musical journey resembles that of his own self-discovery. “I’d like to think my music creates safe spaces for marginalized groups of people,” Moonga says.
“I like to be a voice for people that are afraid to speak out, but more so amplifying their voices.” From a firm musical background, Moonga started singing at 6, performing at 9, and was prompted to write after hearing Frank Ocean’s ‘American Wedding’ at age 14. “It all stems from my childhood,” he says. “I’m obsessed with sci-fi and the way that we can be whatever we want to be in different worlds and universes so that inspires my big, experimental ideas”.
MOONGA K. takes us on a track-by-track journey of GARDEN:
the revolution: I wanted to start the album with rage. Something that spoke on
not caring about fitting in the pressures of the music industry and really just not
caring about being told how to be accepted in society. ‘the revolution’ is for
the misfits who exist against the status quo with pride and resilience.
feels like: I had this idea of creating my own version of Lionel Richie’s ‘All Night
Long’ in the realm of creating an anthem folks from my generation could sing
and scream along to until we’re 80 years old. It’s a song about feeling
good and reveling in the freedom of joy.
i’m gonna make it: I wanted to send a message that through the ebbs and
flows of life, we must hold onto hope because as long as we have breath in our
lungs, we are going to be okay. It’s a mantra we should repeat to ourselves in
our highest and lowest moments.
lonely forever: This is a song that blatantly speaks on how falling in love has
been difficult for me, perhaps because of my choice of lovers, and so it’s a
public plea of wanting guidance on finding the right person, to avoid eternal
loneliness.
be mine: This song features one of my childhood friends and one of the best
voices I have ever heard, Nkosilathi. She was visiting from London and I had to
get her into the studio to record this track. It’s what I’d hope would be a
contribution to old-school ballad-y R&B, with us going back and forth pouring
our hearts on wanting to make a relationship work regardless of who is right or
wrong. We just want to let true love lead the way.
wallflower: This song speaks on my battle with depression and anxiety, and how
I’ve always felt out of place in social situations. I have found healing in expressing
this truth, but I still find myself feeling like I don’t belong, and that is such a
debilitating experience.
ritual: A complete 180 from ‘wallflower,’ ‘ritual’ is a song about loving yourself, and embracing the ways you can overcome the darkness that tends to consume us sometimes. Co-written with one of my best friends, Sio, it’s a futuristic funk track that I hope brings out the confidence in the people who listen to it.
‘wave (that’s me)’: This is a futuristic funk love song that has me confidently
telling a potential lover that the perfect match you’re looking for is here – he is me.
I wanted to end this album on a high, and what a perfect way than with a
cheeky love song.