Mr JazziQ – Akalaleli Ft. A.W.O, Freddy K, Tman Xpress, Leemckrazy & Mellow and Sleazy

The credits are the first thing that stands out. A.W.O, Freddy K, Tman Xpress, Leemckrazy, Mellow and Sleazy all appear beside Mr JazziQ, and that is a full room by any standard. When a producer brings six names onto one record, it usually means the session felt more like a gathering than a job. You can picture people trading ideas and waiting for their turn.

The title itself is a Zulu word, and I will not pretend to give a dictionary definition, but it has the sound of something said with a bit of attitude, the kind of word you throw out in a conversation to make a point. Many Nigerian listeners will not know the exact meaning, but they will still catch the mood, because rhythm and tone carry a lot in African languages. We do it all the time with Yoruba and Igbo phrases that people sing along to without translation.

Akalaleli is on Stance Social, and a crowded credit like this fits an album that seems built around collaboration. Mr JazziQ is a South African producer, and a track with this many voices suggests he is happy to share the spotlight rather than keep it all for himself.

It suits a weekend gathering with friends, when the speakers are loud, everyone has an opinion and nobody wants the night to end.

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