Zwalaka Downloads

ZWALAKA is a play on the word Zwakala, which is a  Zulu word that has two meanings. In traditional Zulu language it means to be heard or be audible. In South African township slang it means come here or come along with us. So in effect it means come along and listen.Zwalaka consists of three... Learn More »

ZWALAKA is a play on the word Zwakala, which is a  Zulu word that has two meanings. In traditional Zulu language it means to be heard or be audible. In South African township slang it means come here or come along with us. So in effect it means come along and listen.

Zwalaka consists of three core members who are Faith Makeleni (Vocals), Mikarapa (Vocals) and Wiggzaro (Guitar, Programming, Backing Vocals). It is has been the collaboration of these three South African artists that has led to the myriad of cultural influences that are present in Zwalaka's music.  Zwalaka does collaborate with various other musicians and performers for live performances and these include percussion players, fire dancers and dancers.

Zwalaka are pioneers in their brand of World Dance Music.

Zwalaka's music consists of a stunningly produced cultural integration of modern dance music trends, and sees a fusion between African and World music with elements of modern electronic dance music. It integrates live vocals, percussion and guitar with the limitless expanse of sound colours, harmonic frequencies and rhythmic grooves that modern technology has made possible for us. The album starts of with slower South African style grooves and speeds up as it  moves along to a more international house and trance feel. Zwalaka's music encompasses elements of West, Central, East & South African, Celtic, Arabic, Spanish, Latin, Blues, Rock, House and Trance Music.

A brief history of Zwalaka
Zwalaka where formed in 2002 as a follow on from a project called “Dance of Life”, in which Wiggzaro featured Faith Makeleni and Mikarapa on various tracks of the album “Masithandane”.

Zwalaka’s roots extend back into the late 90’s, where Wiggzaro first started working with Faith in an Afro-Latin-Jazz project called Sankambe. Out of this grew a friendship that has been one of the foundations of this group. In 2000 Wiggzaro met up with Mikarapa at Eastside College . Wiggzaro had just started lecturing music technology and production at the college and Mikarapa enrolled for the course. Having seen Mikarapa perform live and being impressed with his vocal ability and versatility, Wiggzaro invited him to collaborate on the Dance of Life album together with Faith. It is out of this collaboration that Zwalaka was born.

Zwalaka have spent a lot of time in production developing and refining the sound that they now deliver. They have also appeared over the past few years at numerous live events and music festivals around including Earthdance, Flux, Rainbow Festival, Rustlers and more. Zwalaka are busy gearing up to take their live performance to the next level with the release of their debut album “In This World”, and are hoping that this album will launch them into the international arena and open the way for the band to tour around the globe.
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