Loliwe

This article is about the album. For the song, see Loliwe (song).
Loliwe
Studio album by Zahara
Released 6 September 2011
Recorded 2011
Genre Afro-soul
Label TS Records
Producer Robbie Malinga
Mojalefa Thebe
Zahara chronology

Loliwe
(2011)		 The Beginning Live
(2012)
Singles from Loliwe
  1. "Loliwe"
    Released: 31 August 2011
  2. "Ndiza"
    Released: 25 November 2011

Loliwe (English: The Train) is the debut studio album by South African singer-songwriter Zahara, released on 6 September 2011. The album's production was handled by Robbie Malinga and Mojalefa Thebe. Georgyn Kanana made a guest appearance on it. The album was supported by the singles "Loliwe" and "Ndiza". It sold over 20,000 copies and reached gold status within 72 hours of its release. Four weeks after it was released, the album sold 210,000 units in South Africa.[1] Furthermore, Loliwe sold 350,000 copies after four months of being on the market.[2] It is the second fastest selling album in South African history behind Brenda Fassie's Memeza, which sold over 500, 000 copies.[3]

Background

Zahara wrote most of the songs for her debut album prior to her record deal with TS Records in August 2010.[4][5] In her songs, she references apartheid activists like Walter Sisulu, Nelson Mandela and Helen Joseph. The track titled "Loliwe" refers to the train that brought workers back home after many years away working in Johannesburg where they often had other families.[5] According to Zahara, "For me it is a metaphor. It's like ... just pick yourself up. No matter who's your father or who's your mother ... I believe that you're not a mistake." [5]

Singles

TS Records released the album's lead single "Loliwe" on August 31, 2011. The music video for the single was directed by Ash Dibben of Mastermax Films.

"Ndiza", the album's second single, was released on November 25, 2011.[6] Zahara describes the song as "a place one goes to make their heart pure".[7][8] The music video for the single, directed by Hypnotic Films, has eclipsed the 300,000 views mark on YouTube.[9]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Music Review South Africa 92/100[10]
MOMIX [11]

Upon its release, Loliwe was met with positive reviews. Simah of MOMIX gave the album an 8 out of 10, stating: "The album actually proves the opinions I've been hearing about it. And it serves as one of the most powerful debuts by a South African woman. She certainly possesses the golden touch because her talent is enough to make her shine and reach for her destiny."

Claire Martens of Music Review South Africa assigned a normalized score of 92 out of 100, adding: "Set against the strumming of her guitar and the infusion of African-style beats, the music tends towards simplicity and integrity. Her lyrics flow like poetry. This is going back to the nuts and bolts of music and creating something of substance from the rawness. Few musicians can do this and still create a product as powerful as Loliwe. Having said that, the album is not perfect. I thought the song “My Guitar” was her weakest offering and inappropriately placed. I also felt like the first part of album is stronger than the rest, “Umthwalo” and “Loliwe” being the pinnacle, throwing the rest of the album off kilter. Bar this, Loliwe comes close to perfection."

Accolades

At the 18th Annual South African Music Awards, the album won the Best Selling Album, Album of the Year and Best Smooth Urban Music Album accolades. [12] Loliwe was nominated for Best Produced Album and won Best Female Album at the 2011 Metro FM Music Awards.[13][14]

Year Awards ceremony Award description(s) Results
2012 18th Annual South African Music Awards Best Smooth Urban Music Album Won
Best Selling Album Won
Album of the Year Won
2011 Metro FM Music Awards Best Produced Album Nominated
Best Female Album Won

Track listing

All songs written and composed by Bulelwa Mkutukana, Robbie Malinga and Mojalefa Thebe. 

No. TitleWriter(s)Producer(s) Length
1. "Destiny"  Bulelwa Mkutukana  4:16
2. "Umthwalo"  Bulelwa Mkutukana  5:33
3. "Loliwe"  Bulelwa Mkutukana  4:32
4. "Xa Bendingena Mama"  Bulelwa Mkutukana  3:19
5. "Ndiza"  Bulelwa Mkutukana  3:23
6. "Incwad' Encane" (featuring Georgyn Kanana)Bulelwa Mkutukana and Georgyn Kanana  5:06
7. "Lengoma"  Bulelwa Mkutukana  3:42
8. "My Guitar"  Bulelwa Mkutukana  5:30
9. "Thekwana"  Bulelwa Mkutukana  3:29
10. "Away"  Bulelwa Mkutukana  4:19
11. "Brand New Day"  Bulelwa Mkutukana  3:59
12. "Shine"  Bulelwa Mkutukana  4:40

Personnel

Release history

Region Date Format Label
South Africa 6 September 2011 CD, Digital download TS Records

References

  1. ↑ "Zahara strikes the right chord to multi-platinum". Get News. Retrieved 11 January 2015.
  2. ↑ Tsumele, Edward (30 December 2011). "New sensation Zahara matches the best in the music world". Sowetan. Retrieved 11 January 2015.
  3. ↑ Sibiya, Gugu (21 September 2011). "Zahara's CD flies off shelves". Sowetan Live. Retrieved 25 January 2012.
  4. ↑ Mbonambi, Buhle (24 October 2011). "A blooming flower". Independent Online. Retrieved 25 January 2012.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Gallafant, Alex (9 November 2011). "South Africa’s Latest Pop Sensation – Zahara". PRI's The World. Retrieved 25 January 2012.
  6. ↑ "Loliwe by Zahara". iTunes. Retrieved 22 September 2013.
  7. ↑ "Interview with Zahara (OrgellaTV)". YouTube. Retrieved 24 September 2013.
  8. ↑ "OrgellaTV: Exclusive Interview With Zahara…". OrgellaTV. Retrieved 24 September 2013.
  9. ↑ "Zahara - Ndiza". YouTube. Retrieved 24 September 2013.
  10. ↑ "Review: Zahara – Loliwe". Musicreview. Retrieved 21 September 2013.
  11. ↑ "Zahara : Album Review". Momix. Retrieved 21 September 2013.
  12. ↑ "THE 18TH ANNUAL MTN SOUTH AFRICAN MUSIC AWARDS AND THE WINNERS ARE...". SAMA. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  13. ↑ "2011 Metro FM Music Awards - all the winners". TVSA. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  14. ↑ "AKA Dominates Metro FM Awards". MIO. Retrieved 29 September 2013.