Thando Skwatsha Blends Introspection And Cultural Homage With His Debut Offering, ‘iimini nentsuku’
It is often said, that those who do not know their past are doomed to repeat it and through a carefully curated tapestry of contemporary Afropop, multilingual penmanship and a burning intention to honour his roots from the distant homesteads of his ancestral lineage to his animated upbringing in the streets of Gugulethu, Cape Town, South Africa, Thando Skwatsha blends introspection and cultural homage with his debut offering, ‘iimini nentsuku’, distributed by emPawa Africa.
Listen to ‘iimini nentsuku’ here: http://www.thandoskwatsha.com/
Drawing from his isiXhosa heritage, family and life experiences, the narrative discourse of ‘iimini nentsuku’ (which means days and nights) is centred around the recurring theme of past love, breaking free from hardships and strengthening his ancestral bond. After an opening “isaziso”, lays the foundation for his cathartic experience, Thando confronts scars of past love through first and third-person narrative in songs like, “umuntu”, “khumbula” and “mina nawe”, while cultivating hope and spirited dance music on songs like “iskhalo sabantwana”, “iimini nentsuku medley” and “all night”.
“As an avid music listener myself I would highly recommend listening to the album from top to bottom and allowing each song to take you on its journey, letting it rest and then coming back to it again. Over the last 4 years of making this project I’ve found that it ages like fine ol’ wine. I think being able to make music is such a blessing and I’m incredibly proud of the art I created here. I am excited to explore more to where this leads and consider myself fortunate to be in a position where my most vulnerable self is appreciated and celebrated. I want to take this moment right here to thank EVERY SINGLE PERSON who was involved in creating my first solo project with special s/o going to Milan Rendall for always believing in me and emPawa Africa for trusting me,” shares Thando Skwatsha.
Tracklist:
1. isaziso
2. ibali
3. thandolwami
4. andazi
5. ngyazfela
6. mina nawe
7. imali
8. all night
9. iskhalo sabantwana
10. umuntu
11. khumbula
12. iimini nentsuku medley
‘iimini nentsuku’ is well on its way to radio chart domination with lead single “ngazfela” currently occupying the #2 spot on the 5FM Top 5 Pop Chart, and as a special treat, Thando has released visuals for “thandolwami” now live on YouTube, following an MTV Base Spanking New Premiere earlier this week.
Be sure to request “ngazfela” and “thandolwami” from your favourite radio stations and TV channels respectively and connect with Thando Skwatsha online today for more music news.
Connect with Thando Skwatsha:
Facebook: @thandoskwatsha
Twitter: @thandoskwatsha
Instagram: @thandoskwatsha
TikTok: @thandoskwatsha