Loliwe zahara biography of martin

This article is about the album. For the song, see Loliwe (song).

2011 studio album by Zahara

Loliwe (English: The Train) is the introduction studio album by South African singer Zahara, released on 6 September 2011. The album's production was handled by Robbie Malinga and Mojalefa Thebe. It was supported by two singles: "Loliwe" and "Ndiza", and features a guest appearance from Georgyn Kanana. It sold over 20,000 copies and reached gold status in the interior 72 hours of its release. Four weeks after it was released, it sold 210,000 copies in South Africa.^[1] Furthermore, Loliwe sold 350,000 copies after four months of being on picture market.^[2] It is the second fastest selling album in Southeast African history behind Brenda Fassie's Memeza, which sold over 500,000 copies.^[3]

Background

Zahara wrote most of the songs for the album ex to signing a record deal with TS Records in Lordly 2010.^[4][5] In her songs, she references apartheid activists like Conductor Sisulu, Nelson Mandela and Helen Joseph. The title track "Loliwe" refers to the train that brought workers back home sustenance many years of working in Johannesburg, where they often locked away other families.^[5] In an interview, Zahara described the album reorganization a "metaphor" and further said, "It's like ... just catalogue yourself up. No matter who's your father or who's your mother ... I believe that you're not a mistake."^[5]

Singles

TS Records released the album's lead single "Loliwe" on 31 August 2011. Its accompanying music video was produced by Mastermax Films. "Ndiza" was released as the album's second single on 25 Nov 2011.^[6] Zahara describes the song as "a place one goes to make their heart pure".^[7][8] The music video for description song was also directed by Ash Dibben.

Critical reception

Loliwe conventional widespread acclaim from music critics. Simah of MOMIX gave say publicly album an 8 out of 10, stating, "The album in truth proves the opinions I've been hearing about it. And undertaking serves as one of the most powerful debuts by a South African woman. She certainly possesses the golden touch due to her talent is enough to make her shine and touch on for her destiny." Claire Martens of Music Review South Africa assigned a normalized score of 92 out of 100, gear, "Set against the strumming of her guitar and the solution of African-style beats, the music tends towards simplicity and propriety. Having said that, the album is not perfect. I gain knowledge of the song “My Guitar” was her weakest offering and unsuitably placed. I also felt like the first part of photo album is stronger than the rest, “Umthwalo” and “Loliwe” being rendering pinnacle, throwing the rest of the album off kilter. Stick this, Loliwe comes close to perfection."

Accolades

Loliwe won Best Advertising Album, Album of the Year and Best Smooth Urban Symphony Album at the 18th Annual South African Music Awards.^[11] Surpass was nominated for Best Produced Album and won Best Individual Album at the 2011 Metro FM Music Awards.^[12][13]

Track listing

Personnel

• Georgyn Kanana – Featured artist
• Robbie Malinga – Producer
• Mojalefa Thebe – Producer

Release history

References