iNkabi Records singer-songwriter and prolific record producer Xowla, also affectionately christened the Stallion, has started off the year by tickling the fancy of those who like their bone of humour touched by dropping the music video of “Umsindo We Nhliziyo”.
Co-starring alongside his guest and labelmate Lwah Ndlunkulu, the Slowman-directed short film is a comical skit between two friends trying to find their way around the rural areas in a rust bucket in search of love.
The visuals start off with Xowla seated next to his friend driving a red and rust-coated VW Caddy so unfit to be driven that the “Gibela” star has to execute a hyperbolic jump out the car before he sprints forward to stop it with his bare hands since its brakes no longer work. Arrayed in a striped button-up sweater, a tied pale blue shirt and a newsboy cap, while his friend accompanied him in creamy long pants held in place by suspenders and a mottled red shirt and his very own postboy headgear, the two conjure up King Nuba-esque aesthetics as they aim to not only tell the story of a lover’s journey but to portray the avatar of the less-than-remarkable man living his day-to-day life.
Their car breaks down once more, prompting the two to pop the hood and work the innards of the car. Just as Xowla puts some distance from the road to have a pee, his friend secretly tries to make off with the car – only for Xowla to match the speed of the vehicle and catch up to his two-faced friend with nothing more than a stroll.
This friendly competition and make-believe animosity strengthen the comical texture of the music video, with more incidents of them play-fighting being seen when they both meet Lwah Ndlunkulu and they both display visible signs of jealousy when the other is given a chance to hug the songstress, who adheres to the humble theme of the shirt-and-long pants wardrobe. However, when Xowla passes out after kissing Ndlunkulu, it is his friend who stirs him back to consciousness.
The end of the music video is another comical scene, this time of Xowla on one knee, proposing to Ndlunkulu. The two revel in the moment before his friend swoops in, steals the ring, and dashes away, forcing Xowla to chase him down.
Watch “Umsindo We Nhliziyo”:
