Genesis Chapter 1

The engine of Inkabi Records offers a reintroduction to his practice and his village. As the architect of Inkabi Records’ uShuni sound—contemporary Afropop that fuses elements of isicathamiya, mbaqanga and maskandi—the singer, songwriter and producer once known as Xowla Stallion comes into his own in a new way on Genesis Chapter 1. Embracing the collaborative energy he forged across hits like Big Zulu’s “Voicemail”, Inkabi Zezwe’s “Sayona” and Lwah Ndlukulu’s “Eyami”, Xowla, billed here as Stallion X, pairs seasoned legends with a coterie of rising stars. On “Kuyehlela”, uQoqa and Bonakele Myeza join the iconic Dr Buselaphi for a poignant reflection on gender relations, while “Silwelani” builds on the theme of domestic tension with Thokozani Langa, Bhekumuzi Luthuli, Madlanduna and Sminofu weighing in over soulful instrumentation. “Kuwe” features sparse guitar strums polished by Ugatsheni and Pretty Masompisi’s serenades. Amid such masterfully orchestrated generational interplay are blends of traditional rhythms and modern melodies indebted to culture, faith, romance and social dynamics.