Born in South Africa's underground scene, African house is a sound that has flourished from its embrace of our unique identities. As Afro house has gone global, and more and more artists have added their own takes to it, there has been the danger of the genre losing it's essence. This has necessitated the need for African artists to be at the forefront of defining the genre.
Attempting to meet this challenge on the Zimbabwean house scene is Sebenza SoundSystem, the Afro-electronic duo of Simbai Makwiranzou & Tapiwanashe "TAPIWA" Muza. Based in Washington, D.C., and Harare, Zimbabwe respectively, the duo is quite literally stretched across the globe but united in a common goal, that is creating music.
Fusing elements of contemporary electronic soundscapes, and traditional African rhythms, Sebenza SoundSystem seeks to craft together high-energy sets and dynamic music production that transports audiences to the heart of the global dancefloor.
Sebenza SoundSystem was founded on the idea of empowering creators in the Afro-electronic space and has quickly evolved into something special beyond just a musical project. We wanted to do things differently and create something that exhibits our unique culture & experiences growing in our respective communities. - TAPIWA & Simbai
The duo recently had their official debut as a brand with the track "Noko." A song that was inspired by the desire to make to create something that sounded inherently African
With Noko, we wanted to make an Afrohouse track that sounds inherently African. From the power of the drums to the strength and authenticity of the lead vocal. The track was inspired by one of our best friends, making it deeply personal and filled with emotion. At the same time, we’re passionate about representing Afrofuturism in our music, blending our cultural roots with modern electronic elements. Noko is a reflection of that balance, where traditional African influences meet a futuristic, dancefloor-driven sound. - TAPIWA & Simbai
This first release marks a huge moment for the group, and it is only the beginning as far as their plans go. They have a second release coming in March, which will continue a series of pieces that blend rich African rhythms and cutting-edge electronic production. True to their name the duo are here to "work." They have their sights on spreading their unique blend of Afro house to dancefloors across the world.
We’ve put a lot into shaping our sound, and Noko sets the foundation for what’s next. Hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed making it. We would love to thank Steve Cardigan, his Putyouon brand, and Th3rd Brain for trusting in our vision as well. - TAPIWA & Simbai
"Noko" is available across all major streaming platforms.
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