SA Amapiano collective ATK MusiQ teams up with Lokzin Keyz and Mphow69 for another major track from “The Return” titled “Inhlonipho.”
That means “Respect” in Zulu. But this is not a chest-thumping, look-at-me record. Instead, ATK MusiQ takes that idea and creates something a little more grounded, a track that acknowledges the culture, the community, and the path that brought them back after six years away from dropping a full record.
Mphow69 has the kind of experienced energy that raises the level of whatever lineup he’s a part of. His spot on this record feels earned, not decorative. Lokzin Keyz contributes too, adding a keyboard-driven warmth that deepens the sound without taking it in a different direction. Both features serve the song, not conflict with it.
What’s intriguing about “Inhlonipho” in the context of the larger “The Return” album is how it manages restraint. Many tracks on this double CD have a lot of fire and drive. But this one slows the beat a little and allows the feeling to sit. The pace change makes for one of the more contemplative cuts on the album, the type of track that serious Amapiano heads will keep returning to.
ATK MusiQ’s comeback project has spent its time explaining why the six-year hiatus hasn’t impacted its quality. Although the layoff was lengthy, the output throughout “The Return” continues to show the patience was worth it.
Listen to “Inhlonipho” and tell us whether this is your favorite cut off “The Return” so far – drop your pick in the comments!
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