Singeli Queens, a Tanzanian Singeli collective, team up with Sammy Donnar, Kadilida, Mayja Wa Moro and Ammy Voice on “Mapenzi” – a multi-voice collaboration about love designed to make you move.
Five names on one Singeli record seems ambitious, but it’s a feat the Singeli Queens have proven themselves capable of handling, a heavy roster without losing direction. Their prior recordings, such as “Udugu” and “Mtamu”, showcased a group that could take every voice in stride in a quickly moving performance. So “Mapenzi” doesn’t feel like a random pile of features. It’s a creatively arranged gathering of artists that have worked together previously.
The love motif that runs across “Mapenzi” is the emotional essence of the record. But Singeli doesn’t slow for romance—the genre accelerates and drives the feeling ahead at its characteristic rapid-fire velocity. So the consequence is love music that enlivens, not calms. It is the one feature that makes Singeli records about love sound distinct to Bongo Flava love songs. The feeling isn’t less real. The delivery is far less patient.
Kadilida, Sammy Donnar, Mayja Wa Moro and Ammy Voice all have their distinct vocal style which helps keep the record engaging for its complete runtime. Everyone in the lineup is unlike everybody else. And so the tune continues changing personality without losing its collective identity – which is exactly the challenge a five-act Singeli collaboration sets itself.
The official video came with the soundtrack as well giving “Mapenzi” the full launch from day one.
Watch the YouTube video and tell us who brought it the hardest on ‘Mapenzi’ — drop your selection below!
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