Dlala Thukzin – Usizi Ft. JNR SA, Sykes & Argento Dust

The word is Zulu for sadness or grief, and it is a heavy subject for a genre known mostly for the dance floor. That contrast is the most interesting thing about it. Amapiano has always had room for emotion, and the best nights out are not always about joy. Some are about letting go of something, and the dance floor is where many people do it without saying a word.

Think about how Nigerians use music for exactly this purpose. A song that sounds cheerful can carry a very sad message, and people dance through pain all the time. A title like this suggests a record that sits in that space. JNR SA, Sykes and Argento Dust share the credits, and JNR SA and Sykes both appear elsewhere on the album. I will not describe the sound, since I cannot vouch for it.

It suits the quiet drive after a hard week, when the music says what you cannot.

Download MP3