Flagstaff-born amapiano vocalist and composer Nondoda Msolo, professionally known as Sino Msolo, has tried out the charm of luck the third time with his voice in his latest offering for 2023 titled ‘Noma Kanjani‘. Having already collaborated with the likes of ex-Idols SA contestant Nosipho on ‘Yimi Nawe‘ as well as Leroyale and Vesta SA on “Pusha”, his newest single comes studded with the shine of Amazonian songbird Azana, the lilt of ‘Kulula‘ hitmaker MaWhoo, as well as the king of amapiano Kabza De Small.
‘Noma Kanjani‘ is a blues-touched amapiano song that opens up with soulful guitar strings reminiscent of a jazz lounge scene at sundown. The production is powered by gentle percussion livened up with a rumbling bassline that persists throughout the five-minute track. The combination doesn’t encourage the bones to dance; however, the matrix of the instrument arrangement caters more to the enjoyment of the lyricism and the marinade of themes infused into the verses and the chorus.
Lyrically, ‘Noma Kanjani‘ is a lover’s contemplation flavoured with the overarching theme of undying affection. “Noma kanjani, we dali wami, ngeke ngik’shiye / sofa silahlane,” the twenty-six-year-old singer-songwriter reaffirms in the song, reassuring his lover that his heart is a refuge safe enough for her to store her love for all of eternity. Chesterville singer Azana spins this web of eternal love multifold with her contribution, solidifying the theme with the words of what sounds like a love-maddened damsel: “Mina ng’thanda wena / Eb’suku ng’phupha wena / Ikhanda l’duma wena / Wena, wena wedwa, s’thandwa sam.”
From a performance standpoint, Kabza De Small’s role is stripped down, almost effaced by the total dominance of the vocalists. With the yin-yang qualities of Msolo and Azana and the shading of MaWhoo’s personality (“Dade wethu, aw’ngibolek’ indoda / Ak’siy’ eyakho nawe, aw’ngibolek’ indoda”) coming through towards the end, “Noma Kanjani” shapes up as a singer’s song rather than a producer’s. The highlights come from the writing and the pipes rather than a thumping log drum or some fire-starting ad-lib most piano hits come with as a special signature.
“Noma Kanjani” might lack that spunk needed to top radio charts, but it’s not a poorly constructed ballad either – not even by a stretch. It’s toned down and disciplined, and even the parts that dare to be naughty come as fleeting surprises, making it a pleasant song that elicits a smile or two here and there, as well as a complementary head bob.
Listen here:
