UZONDI – WENKULUNKULU

The title is a direct address in isiZulu, the sort of cry you make when you are speaking to the Almighty himself. It does not sound like a statement about religion. It sounds like a person reaching out, whether in thanks, in worry or in wonder. The tone of that call depends entirely on who is making it.

Having the album share its name with a song says something about how central the idea is. A title track normally tells you what a project is leaning on, and here the lean is spiritual. That does not have to mean a gospel record in the strict sense. People bring faith into all kinds of music, and plenty of artists speak to God in the middle of ordinary stories about hustle, love and survival.

One thing I notice is how short and direct the phrase is. There is no long introduction. You say the name and you have already said what you need to say. In Nigerian homes, a tired mother will say the same thing under her breath at the end of a long day, and everybody in the room understands.

That is why WENKULUNKULU as a song title works for different kinds of listeners. Someone grateful will hear thanksgiving, and someone carrying a heavy load will hear a plea.

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