South African maskandi singer JIKIJIKI sends congratulations to a cousin on Siyakubongela Mzala, track seven of his Game On project.
Siyakubongela Mzala runs 3 minutes 13 seconds, so it keeps things brisk. The title loosely translates as congratulations, and mzala is the Zulu word for cousin. One site hears a joyful, triumphant tone, while the lyrics lean on appreciation and recognition. Its title also doubles as a shout-out you could send a relative.
Game On is a short project, with seven tracks according to one listing. That would make this one the closer on a short project. JIKIJIKI also appears on STOP and GO with uMnotho. Music In Africa lists that record among top maskandi songs of the year.
Another site tags it Afro soul and calls him an emerging artist. Several sites describe it as a celebration of community. A third page says the lyrics get listeners dancing right away. Most sites still tag it Maskandi.
Maskandi is a traditional Zulu folk style, sometimes called the Zulu blues. Singers still turn real-life joys and sorrows into songs. Spotify says nearly half of its listeners are under 35.
Put on Siyakubongela Mzala for a cousin who deserves a shout-out and tell us in the comments who it is.
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