Gemma is here with her latest single "Kwale", a Charlie Kay and Dj Tamuka produced song that once again displays her versatility. From having one of the most streamed tracks on the latest Chillspot Recordz Riddim to dropping her latest East-African influenced single. There seems to be no limit to what Gemma can do with her vocal talents. Kwale is an Afropop song with the authentic sound of African instruments and it's quite different from the average Zimbabwean song in the genre.
The single was released with solemn visuals and a graceful concept for a video by Zetu and directed by Marc Neilson. There is seamless choreography by Tatenda Chabarwa, Puzzle Phiri and Bociea Niche which perfectly compliments the concept.
Kwale - is a place in Kenya, where I found myself returning over and over as I travelled the East coast of Africa. It represented a safe haven built on familiarity, and whenever I was longing for home, but I was too far away, I would go back to Kwale, and that comfort of knowing a place so well gave me solace. In Kwale I found the words to this song, I wrote them on a sandy beach, and now I finally get to share them with you all.
Gemma is a musical nomad, both in the literal and figurative ways. She not only explores various sounds through her music but she loves to explore the physical world through travel.
In 2018 Gemma began a project – to write an album on the road, and has since moved a studio into a Landrover Defender, and driven over 24,000km through 10 countries in Southern and East Africa. Now, in 2021, the project is seemingly still ongoing, with over 500 days on the road, Gemma is building up to her Debut Album abd this journey gave us her 2020 project Pamwe EP.
I have been working on this track for a very long time! I recorded Kwale whilst on the road, in Kenya, in 2019… we filmed the first part of this video before Covid 19 existed. And completed the video as we could over the past 2 years. It was filmed in a myriad of beautiful places, with incredibly talented dancers. I am beyond excited to finally watch this come to life. We have been waiting.
Checkout the video for "Kwale" below: