Kwela

Versatile lyricist, vocalist and producer Kwelagobe “Kwela” Sekele (FKA PO or Po Box) comes from Soweto, via "Johazardburg" (Johannesburg), the City of Gold. Born in the year of Brenda & the Big Dudes' Weekend Special and Harari's Street Sounds — 1983 — Kwela's life and work are a reflection of his influences, inspirations, aspirations and memory.

Unorthodox and a visionary, his world of music is also made up of childhood kwaito memories and Le Club subplots, including Joburg poetics, jazz, early 2000s live band scenes and most of what is considered alternative, whether obscure or conveniently labelled “world music”. It was only in 2004 when he joined the renowned band Kwani Experience that his métier took off.

Together they inspiring a generation with their bold and unapologetic afro-funk sound and aesthetic, setting stages ablaze around Africa and Europe while galvanizing younger similar bands. Kwela's solo work is a collection of his curatorial, archival diggings, writing and production adventures.

The multilingual vocalist is a South African music industry make-it-happener having compiled and co-produced projects, including record label consulting and music supervising for television. Kwela vocalizes the contemporary African experience from a perspective of growing up in, living and walking the streets of Johannesburg, with music that fuses his influences: afro-pop, indigenous music, praise poetry, hip-hop, synth and electronica.

DISCOGRAPHY
2005: Kwani Experience -'The Birth Of The Mudaland Funk'
2007: Kwani Experience - 'Live After Birth'
2007: 'Beyond The Lounge: Alien Hip Triangle'
2007: Jaziel Brothers ft. PoBox - 'Nonceba'
2008: Music With No Name Volume 4
2009: Take Away - 'Banyana'/'Tiramisu Kisses'(Single)
2009: Take Away - 'What's On The Menu' (EP)
2010: Positivity (Single)
2012: DJ Oil - 'PoBox' (Black Notes)
2013: BC - 'Surviving 2013'
2014: 'Maru: The Prelude' (EP)
2016: 'Pfukani (Single)
2017: 'Yeoville Radio' EP
2018: 'Yeoville Radio' (Side-B)
2019: 'Shooting Star' (Single)
2022: Helsinki Headnod Convention (feature)
2023: Bantu Spaceship (feature)
2023: Kwela — We The Beautyful Ones