Maqhinga Hadebe – Bathathu Ft. Maqhinga Stanley Radebe

In isiZulu the word points to a group of three people. That small detail leaves a lot open. It could be a trio of friends, a love triangle, three brothers, or three people at a table arguing over a bill. Any of those situations have drama built in.

The love triangle is the one that comes to mind first, because it is the oldest story in music. Two people become three, and suddenly everyone is watching everyone. But a group of three can also be warm. Three friends walking home late, three siblings sharing a room, three voices in harmony. The number is neutral, and the context decides everything.

I will leave the artist to decide which story he tells, since only the title and the credits can be confirmed. What I like is that a number is a rare choice for a song name. It is simple, it is concrete, and it gives the listener a picture straight away.

If you have ever been the third person in a situation, whether in a friendship or in a relationship, you probably already have your own idea about Bathathu. The record is one more reason to start that conversation.

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