Chengdu-based Afro-fusion act Chisway brings Mandarin and Pidgin together on a catchy new record titled “Kolo.”
Kolo is Nigerian slang for being on the mend, and here it means being head over heels in love. Chisway posts from China, so the Mandarin verses bring a fresh twist. It’s a rare mix, but Afrobeats has always travelled well.
Production credit goes to chb, and the beat stays light and bouncy. Afrobeats drums keep a steady sway, so the song moves easily. At just under two and a half minutes, it ends before you want it to.
Chisway sings with an easy, flirty tone. The vocals slide between Mandarin, Pidgin and English, yet the melody stays smooth. Chisway co-wrote the song with Zou Jiwei, so the language mix feels planned.
Because the chorus uses Pidgin, Nigerian listeners will catch it fast. Meanwhile, the Mandarin verses add a new colour for everyone else.
This one works because the idea is simple and the languages blend naturally. Although it’s short, the song sticks in your head.
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