South African soulful singer, Zu., real name Nozuko Mapoma, has been described as “a possessed musician who delivers from spaces and recesses within her that mere mortals will never know the pleasures of visiting.” This soulful indie/ alternative pop singer and songwriter certainly delivers the goods whether on stage, in studio, or performing live.
Zu. has curated an impressive catalogue of new and unreleased music that engages and moves the listener deliberately yet graciously.
Having already released two seven-track Eps, Ndim Nawe and Ndim Nani, the husky voiced Zu. is back to mark Women’s Month, with the release of a music video for Allow, a single off Ndim Nawe, which was released in May. Its release is the build-up to the soon-to-be launched EP, Ndim noMculo which concludes the trilogy and will be launched later this month.
The timing of her return to the centre stage of naturalistic soulful music could not have come at a better time as the country celebrates Women’s Month. Allow is a love letter. A seemingly desperate cry for reciprocation. The music video applies a juxtaposition to this message with a marriage between an angelic yet warrior-like look, Zu.’s powerful performance and breath-taking yet minimalistic visuals.
Not only is the prolific singer releasing new music, but this talented lady-of- song is also working on a series of other visuals and a documentary, which she has promised to roll-out to her fans in the not so distant future.
To wrap up the month of August on a high note, Zu. will launch her EP at the SABC’s V1A Studio in Radio Park, Auckland Park on the last day of Women’s Month (31 August). In the upcoming EP, Zu. features among others, talented vocalists such as Zoe Modiga, Msaki, Leomile and Roses in Winter.
According to the singer, the launch will honour and celebrate all the female artists, both past and present, who have paved a way for her and her generation of female artists to thrive and succeed. The EP launch is meant to walk music fans down memory lane while paying homage and tribute to pioneers such as mam'Miriam Makeba, Mam Busi Mhlongo, Lebo Mathosa and many others.
*Watch Allow
