What is a Wednesday without a little pick-me-up to push through the rest of the work week chock-full with deadlines, the demands of side hustles, and maintaining a life outside the professional circle? GQ Award-winning Pretoria DJ and record producer Oscar Mbo’s answer to that question is his latest single “Vuka”. Starring alongside Jazzworkx and with the guest appearance of singer-songwriter Thukuthela SZN, the Metro FM Award winner’s newest offering is a warm sunriser’s anthem which dares the listener to pursue their heart’s desires.
A five-minute slow-burning song, “Vuka” is an ambient dance joint which chirps with continuous sirens, pulsates with self-effacing drums, and lilts with soulful guitar strums as the buildup warms up with gradual chord progressions. Layered with elements of jazz and Oscar’s signature touch in infusing elements of his interpretation of deep house, the mid-tempo yet steady production and simplistic instrument arrangement engender a mood of hope. True to the musical skeleton of the track holding up as a hustler’s anthem, “Vuka” is the type of ear food that stimulates the mind for a brisk morning run and energises the body to get up and running.
“Vuka” single art | SUPPLIED
The core theme of “Vuka” can be distilled from the title itself – which means “wake up” in isiZulu – as Thukuthela SZN’s songwriting is anchored on one taking a decisive step to arise and claim what they know is theirs. Harmonising with the strings of the production and toning in with the braided melodies of guitars and lull pianos aerating the beat to give the song a light-hearted feel, Thukuthela neither strains his voice nor does he glide under the sound. He croons his message of motivation, ascending with the gradient of the beat’s intensity when needed and calming the strength of his pipes to stay in sync with Mbo when he decides to take the beat down to the valleys.
With “Vuka”, Mbo, Jazzworx, and Thukuthela turn the collaboration into a joyous bring-and-share occasion, with Oscar serving as the host and providing the foundation of the song, while Thukuthela regales the heart with soul food of motivation and encouragement gliding with the assistance of Jazzworx’s jazzy contribution.
Watch “Vuka”:
