Okmalumkoolkat – iTheku eThekwini (Album)

Both words are Zulu names for the same place. eThekwini is the official name of the Durban municipality, while iTheku is the everyday word locals use for the city, the bay and the port. Putting them side by side is like a Lagos person saying Eko and Lagos in one breath. It tells you the speaker is from there and is not describing it from a distance.

What I find interesting is how the track list reads like a night out in that city. It opens with a welcome in eThekwini Intro, moves into party mode with Boet Partytime, then turns to energy and hurry in iBattery and Umshibiliko. Along the way come a ranking in Top 5 Milano, hustle talk in Obishini, a crush with a real name in uZongithanda uNomphelo and a short breather in eMtateni interlume. It closes with Lomdlalo Ozigcawu-gcawu Outro, the last round before everyone heads home.

The guest list is long and sociable. Lowfeye, Musiholiq, Dusse Wavy, Nhlanhlaleyo, Khanzi Mnguni, P Dogg Amazing, Enocs Mae, Keyy Wavv and Cid Rim all appear across the project. I will not describe production details I cannot confirm, but that many names suggest a host passing the microphone around his own neighbourhood, with friends dropping in as the evening goes on.

There is a small contrast worth noticing. A project so proud of one place still speaks in slang and references that travel easily, from boet to Milano. Nigerians will recognise that mix, because our own music is rooted in local streets and still plays in every city. Someone will tell you about the album at a hangout and then argue about which guest stole the show.

Anyone who loves music that sounds like a particular city, or misses the one they grew up in, will find something familiar here. It suits weekend drives, house parties and evenings when the whole crew is in a good mood.