Cross-border chemistry lands naturally on “31,” as armonize taps fast-rising Nigerian sensation Qing Madi for “Isondeze.”
“Isondeze” is a loose translation of “bring it closer” or “pull closer” in Swahili, and the romantic closeness promised by that title is all over the song from the first bar. Both artists make the writing revolve around longing, emotional connection, and the need to stay near to someone precious. But it never becomes dramatic or weighty. Warm and mid-tempo through and through, it’s the ideal production choice for something this sensitive.
Qing Madi is a wise choice for this particular time. She has since been creating a name in several African music markets concurrently after being selected for Apple Music’s Africa Rising Class of 2024 together with OdumoduBlvck and Tyla.
Her soulful vocals and her current Afropop persona mesh well with the Bongo Flava melodic style of Harmonize. Thus “Isondeze” does not impose two styles which are very distinct. It seeks the natural intersection between them and builds the record there.
The production merges Harmonize’s characteristic Bongo Flava sounds with Afrobeats and modern R&B, creating a sound that appeals to both East and West African audiences without feeling forced. Because the best cross-border collaborations succeed when the musical distance between both artists is less than it initially appears.
“Isondeze” also gives a much-needed tonal balance to the “31” tracklist, sitting between the emotional weight of “Siwezi” and the high-energy club tracks to come.
Stream “Isondeze” and let us know if Qing Madi deserves to be on every Harmonize album going ahead!
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