South African amapiano producer Kelvin Momo joins Nandi Madida on Apple Music 1 to talk about his latest track, the Babalwa M collab “Amalobolo (feat. Stixx & Nia Pearl).” He also discusses the meaning behind his album, ‘Kurhula,’ finding his creative lane, and how he creates music that resonates.
The Big 5
Nandi Madida shares the 5 hottest new African music news tracks of the moment. This week’s selection includes new tracks from Adekunle Gold, Shallipopi, Kel-P feat. Kalash, Ze2, SjavasDaDeejay & Titom feat. Calvin Shaw & King Tone Sa, and Sfarzo Rtee & Makhanj.
Africa Rising
Nigerian Afro-fusion star—and Apple Music’s latest Up Next: Nigeria featured artist— Shoday is the latest artist featured from Apple Music’s Africa Rising playlist, a campaign which shines a light on the next generation of African superstars, and this week’s show features his singles, “Caution” and the Bella Shmurda collab “Billion Boy.” Listen HERE.
Nandi’s Song of the Week
Each week, Nandi Madida chooses her favourite track from one of Apple Music’s African playlists. This week she spotlights South African amapiano stars Shakes & Les, DBN Gogo & Zee Nxumalo and their single, “Funk 55 (feat. Ceeka RSA & Chley)”, from Apple Music’s Amapiano Lifestyle playlist. Listen HERE.
Tune in and listen to the full episode this Friday, 23 February at 9a London / 10a Lagos/Paris / 11a Johannesburg / 1a LA / 4a NYC on Apple Music 1 at apple.co/_AfricaNow
Kelvin Momo tells Apple Music how He Prioritises Albums
I think it started with me believing in myself, telling myself that this is something I want people to listen to, and I prayed about it. I was like, you know… ‘God, I’m gonna do this and I hope it works out’. It’s really hard to find your own lane when it comes to dropping albums, so when I started this thing of dropping in December - I started with Ivy League - it was a risk. I was willing to take the risk because of my sound. It’s ok, it’s fine, let’s risk. Then I dropped and people were really happy. I’m like ok, everything is coming along!
Kelvin Momo tells Apple Music about the Meaning Behind his Album, ‘Kurhula'
Kurhula means ‘Peace’. Whenever I work on my album, that has to be one of the most hardest things, to come up with a name. The person who came up with the name was Babalwa M. She came up with the Amukelani name and Kurhula. I always struggle with names, and then she was like ‘you always find peace nowadays whenever you work on your album… now everything’s working out, you find peace in the music’. From where we come from, we relate to our journey in the music industry. We’ve had our ups and downs, we’ve suffered, it was good times and bad times, but it’s like we’ve found peace, so that’s how we named the album Kurhula.
Kelvin Momo tells Apple Music how He Creates Sounds that Resonate
Whenever I make a song I just don’t think about it like I’m doing it for me. It’s all about the person - how they’re gonna feel, their reaction, everything. Even if maybe I, let’s say, have a gig today or later this week, I would say let me do a song but I need to think about the crowds before I do the song. It’s really nice.
