South African dynamic duo Ndumiso Mdletshe and Sphelele Dunywa, popularly known as Blaq Diamond, continue their ascent in the indie stratosphere with their latest single ‘Izikweletu’. Featuring amapiano guests DJ Maphorisa (playing the role of Madume with his vocals) and Tman Xpress, the single is yet another edition to the ever-growing Umuthi record label, and the song is Blaq Diamond’s first as lead since ‘Impi Yothando‘ several months ago.
‘Izikweletu’ is a soulful hybrid of Afropop and amapiano, a fusion of two worlds that the duo is already all too familiar with. The song has the groovy tempo of their 2020 hit single ‘Summer YoMuthi‘, but instead of a thumping bass, modest log drums serve as a foundation, while melancholic guitar strings simmer in the background, offsetting the celebratory (yet contrasting) mood of the song.
Lyrically, the overarching theme of ‘Izikweletui remains faithful to the song’s title, with all the artists lamenting their individual struggles with living under the hand of debt.
Mdletshe anchors the track with an imagery-based opening verse in which he croons about money problems which beget intemperate drinking (“K’sukel’ ek’seni, ngiminya lobhiya owodwa, ngixakwe izikweletu”) and debit order accumulation (“Bayafona ebhenki / Aw’ ng’xege weskweletu phuma kimi”).
Maphorisa picks up the baton with a smooth middle verse in which he sings about the regret of his lifestyle. His contribution is a retrospective criticism of his own fiscal folly and the impolitic maintenance of his high-status lifestyle. ‘iPhelile imali, iphelele kuN4‘ and ‘Ngifela istatus’, he sings in the song.
Dunywa rounds up the joint with a relationship-focused take on the devastating effect of living with debts.
Unlike Mdletshe and Madumane, he charters a less self-centred territory, expressing his sadness over the forced abortion of a relationship due to money issues. “Buka manj’ uhambile / buka manj’ ung’shiyile, ngoba imali angisenayo,” he says in the song, embittered over the sudden loss of interest from his love interest. With his interpretation of ‘Izikweletu‘, Sphelele adds more colour to the song, addressing relationship complications that debts cause, thus externalising the conflict.
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