Loliwe

Loliwe (English: The Train) is the debut studio album by South African singer Zahara, released on 6 September 2011. The album's production was handled by Robbie Malinga and Mojalefa Thebe. It was supported by two singles: "Loliwe" and "Ndiza", and features a guest appearance from Georgyn Kanana. It sold over 20,000 copies and reached gold status within 72 hours of its release. Four weeks after it was released, it sold 210,000 copies in South Africa.[1] Furthermore, Loliwe sold 350,000 copies after four months of being on the market.[2] It is the second fastest selling album in South African history behind Brenda Fassie's Memeza, which sold over 500,000 copies.[3]

This article is about the album. For the song, see Loliwe (song).

Loliwe
Studio album by
Zahara
Released6 September 2011 (2011-09-06)
Recorded2011
GenreAfro-soul
LabelTS Records
Producer
  • Robbie Malinga
  • Mojalefa Thebe
Zahara chronology
Loliwe
(2011)		 The Beginning Live
(2012)
Singles from Loliwe
  1. "Loliwe"
    Released: 31 August 2011
  2. "Ndiza"
    Released: 25 November 2011

Background

Zahara wrote most of the songs for the album prior to signing a record deal with TS Records in August 2010.[4][5] In her songs, she references apartheid activists like Walter Sisulu, Nelson Mandela and Helen Joseph. The title track "Loliwe" refers to the train that brought workers back home after many years of working in Johannesburg, where they often had other families.[5] In an interview, Zahara described the album as a "metaphor" and further said, "It's like ... just pick yourself up. No matter who's your father or who's your mother ... I believe that you're not a mistake." [5]

Singles

TS Records released the album's lead single "Loliwe" on 31 August 2011. Its accompanying music video was directed by Ash Dibben and produced by Mastermax Films. "Ndiza" was released as the album's second single on 25 November 2011.[6] Zahara describes the song as "a place one goes to make their heart pure".[7][8] The music video for the song was also directed by Ash Dibben.

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Music Review South Africa92/100[9]
MOMIX8/10[10]

Loliwe received widespread acclaim from music critics. Simah of MOMIX gave the album an 8 out of 10, stating, "The album actually proves the opinions I've been hearing about it. And it serves as one of the most powerful debuts by a South African woman. She certainly possesses the golden touch because her talent is enough to make her shine and reach for her destiny." Claire Martens of Music Review South Africa assigned a normalized score of 92 out of 100, adding, "Set against the strumming of her guitar and the infusion of African-style beats, the music tends towards simplicity and integrity. Having said that, the album is not perfect. I thought the song “My Guitar” was her weakest offering and inappropriately placed. I also felt like the first part of album is stronger than the rest, “Umthwalo” and “Loliwe” being the pinnacle, throwing the rest of the album off kilter. Bar this, Loliwe comes close to perfection."

Accolades

Loliwe won Best Selling Album, Album of the Year and Best Smooth Urban Music Album at the 18th Annual South African Music Awards.[11] It was nominated for Best Produced Album and won Best Female Album at the 2011 Metro FM Music Awards.[12][13]

Year Awards ceremony Award description(s) Results
2012 18th Annual South African Music Awards Best Smooth Urban Music Album Won
Best Selling Album Won
Album of the Year Won
2011 Metro FM Music Awards Best Produced Album Nominated
Best Female Album Won

Track listing

All tracks are written by Bulelwa Mkutukana, Robbie Malinga and Mojalefa Thebe.

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Destiny"Bulelwa Mkutukana4:16
2."Umthwalo"Bulelwa Mkutukana5:33
3."Loliwe"Bulelwa Mkutukana4:32
4."Xa Bendingena Mama"Bulelwa Mkutukana3:19
5."Ndiza"Bulelwa Mkutukana3:23
6."Incwad' Encane" (featuring Georgyn Kanana)Bulelwa Mkutukana and Georgyn Kanana5:06
7."Lengoma"Bulelwa Mkutukana3:42
8."My Guitar"Bulelwa Mkutukana5:30
9."Thekwana"Bulelwa Mkutukana3:29
10."Away"Bulelwa Mkutukana4:19
11."Brand New Day"Bulelwa Mkutukana3:59
12."Shine"Bulelwa Mkutukana4:40
Bonus track
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
13."Lengoma (remix)"Bulelwa Mkutukana7:16

Personnel
  • Georgyn Kanana - Featured artist
  • Robbie Malinga - Producer
  • Mojalefa Thebe - Producer

Release history
RegionDateFormatLabel
South Africa6 September 2011CD, Digital downloadTS Records
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References
  1. "Zahara strikes the right chord to multi-platinum". Get News. Retrieved 11 January 2015.
  2. Tsumele, Edward (30 December 2011). "New sensation Zahara matches the best in the music world". Sowetan. Retrieved 11 January 2015.
  3. Sibiya, Gugu (21 September 2011). "Zahara's CD flies off shelves". Sowetan Live. Archived from the original on 24 January 2012. Retrieved 25 January 2012.
  4. Mbonambi, Buhle (24 October 2011). "A blooming flower". Independent Online. Retrieved 25 January 2012.
  5. Gallafant, Alex (9 November 2011). "South Africa's Latest Pop Sensation – Zahara". PRI's The World. Retrieved 25 January 2012.
  6. "Loliwe by Zahara". iTunes. Retrieved 22 September 2013.
  7. "Interview with Zahara (OrgellaTV)". YouTube. Retrieved 24 September 2013.
  8. "OrgellaTV: Exclusive Interview With Zahara…". OrgellaTV. Retrieved 24 September 2013.
  9. "Review: Zahara – Loliwe". Musicreview. Retrieved 21 September 2013.
  10. "Zahara : Album Review". Momix. Archived from the original on 7 August 2013. Retrieved 21 September 2013.
  11. "THE 18TH ANNUAL MTN SOUTH AFRICAN MUSIC AWARDS AND THE WINNERS ARE..." SAMA. Archived from the original on 26 September 2013. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  12. "2011 Metro FM Music Awards - all the winners". TVSA. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  13. "AKA Dominates Metro FM Awards". MIO. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
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