Listen to Bongeziwe Mabandla’s new album amaXesha

The LP is available for streaming and download on all major digital platforms. Alongside its digital release, amaXesha will be released on CD and vinyl. These will be distributed globally through Integral and will also be available at Mabandla’s upcoming shows, which include a South African tour and European summer dates. He will also play two dates at London’s 100 Club in June, one of which is already sold out.

The album was produced by Tiago Correia-Paulo, and it remains rooted in the traditional Xhosa folk music Mabandla heard growing up in Tsolo, Eastern Cape, but with a significant amount of electronica, soul, R&B, jazz and pop.

AmaXesha’s sonic landscape has already been revealed through songs such as ‘ndikhale’, ‘noba bangathini’ and ‘ukuthanda wena’, where Mabandla’s subject is the relationship between fans and their lovers, families and friends.

Mabandla says he is excited about continuing and expanding his music to new listeners across the world. “I’m seeking those true feelings, those human moments that allow for a deep and lasting connection with the listener.”

Grammy-nominated mixing engineer Stephen Sedgwick, who worked with Mabandla on the album, said: “Bongeziwe has such a beautiful voice, full of character and emotion, and I love the way it is complemented on the album by the atmospheric textures and organic percussive sounds of the production.”

Throughout his career, Mabandla has performed on stages across the country and around the world. His talents have expanded into film and visual art, and he has become a sought-after collaborator.

He first caught the attention of music fans with his 2012 debut Umlilo, before releasing Mangaliso (2017) and iimini (2020), both of which won South African Music Awards for Best Alternative Album.

In May, Mabandla's creative talents will take another leap with the release of Augure, a new feature film directed by Belgian-Congolese rapper and filmmaker Baloji. Alongside acting, Mabandla performs two original songs in the film, which has made the Un Certain Regard selection at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival.