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Introducing Zahara, South Africa's new singing sensation




Another reminder of what makes South African House music so distinctive; soulfulness and sense of place, qualities often missing from House music from other parts of the world.

This one, Lengoma, is the latest from prolific club DJ, Kwaito/House music artist, radio presenter and record label owner and DJ Sbu (whom some of you will remember from last year's absolutely fabulous We Are Ghubuluzing with Oskido), and it presents the perfect opportunity to introduce Zahara (Bulelwa Mkutukana), the Afro-soul artist who lent her vocals to this track, and who seems to have come out of nowhere to take South Africa by storm. It might have been fairer to call Lengoma a Zahara number featuring DJ Sbu.

 
Her debut album Loliwe, which came out at the end of August, sold over 200,000 in the first month alone, an almost unprecedented feat. For a debut album it is unprecedented; the only other South African to do something similar was Brenda Fassie, with Memeza, but Brenda was already a household name. And Zahara's CD has flown off the shelves at a time when record labels are looking in despair at plummeting CD sales. Music critics have also taken note: she's in the running for Best Newcomer, Best Produced Album, Best Female Album and Song of the Year awards at this year's Metro FM Music Awards (ceremony on 26th November).

Music fans seem to be responding not only to the complete lack of pretension in her music and delivery, but also to the fact that her music is, like South African House music, also rooted in place. Her's even more so, rhythmically and lyrically (she sings in isiXhosa and English).



Listen to a sample from Destiny, the album's first track, and you can hear why she's being compared to other singer-songwriter-acoustic guitarists like Tracy Chapman, Asa, and India Irie.

If you like what you're hearing and you're in Europe of the States, you'll be pleased to learn that Zahara is booked to play France at the end of this year, and Netherlands and the US early next year. Follow her on Twitter so you don't miss the dates when they're announced.

Anyway, here she is in her own words:

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