Thandiswa Mazwai: Tiny Desk x globalFEST

In 2021, the Tiny Desk x globalFEST series was created to promote international music discovery. For the last three years, artists from around the globe have performed Tiny Desk (home) concerts from their respective countries, but for the first time this year, artists performed at the Tiny Desk at NPR's headquarters.

Suraya Mohamed | April 1, 2024
Thandiswa Mazwai is one of post-apartheid South Africa's most influential musicians. For nearly 30 years she has championed a kind of dance music called Kwaito. The South African genre mixes a variety of rhythms and influences including hip-hop, reggae, jazz and house music.

This phenomenal set starts with “Nizalwa Ngobani?”, translated from the Xhosa language for “Do you know where you come from?” It’s dedicated to the ever-resilient people of South Africa. “I want to say to my people at home, thank you,” she says. “I am known worldwide because of you.” After, she sings a love song, “Ingoma” with the memorable hook “Ngoma we, ngoma we, ngoma we,” which loosely translates to “You are a song that I never get tired of.”

She dedicates the next song, “Children of the Soil,” to all the people around the world who find themselves struggling for freedom. “This is our time to use our voices,” she affirms. “This is the time for us to fight for freedom, wherever it is in the world.” “Children of the Soil” will be featured on her soon-to-be-released new album, Sankofa. And she finishes this set with the powerful “Abenguni,” and the catchy upbeat tune “Lahl’umlenze,” with its resilient hook: “Why does it matter how I dance?”

SET LIST
“Nizalwa Ngobani?”
“Ingoma”
“Children of the Soil”
“Abenguni”
“Lahl’umlenze”

MUSICIANS
Thandiswa Mazwai: lead vocals
Lungile (Lulu) Maduna: drums, vocals
Sunnyboy Mthimunye: guitar
Tendai Ali Shoko (Shox): bass
Thabang Tabane: percussion
Xolani Thabethe: keys, vocals

TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Suraya Mohamed
Director/Editor: Kara Frame
Audio Technical Director: Neil Tevault
Series Producer: Bobby Carter
Videographers: Kara Frame, Maia Stern, Joshua Bryant, Elizabeth Gillis
Audio Engineer: Becky Brown
Production Assistant: Elle Mannion
Photographer: Zayrha Rodriguez
Creative Designer: Jackie Lay
Tiny Desk Team: Ashley Pointer, Hazel Cills
Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed
globalFEST Team: Isabel Soffer, Bill Bragin, Shanta Thake, Zion Jackson, Ian Thake
Series Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins

#tinydesk #nprmusic #thandiswamazwai

[janinepaules]

Fellow South Africans are we all here?!!🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦

[i_vanta]

South Africans, I'm taking attendance. Please raise your hand when you hear your name! 🫡🫡

[MalaikaMazwai]

oh my mommy. im immensely proud of you. lets go get em

[vovobani]

Meaning of the songs. for English speakers
1.Nizalwa Ngobani? (who gave birth to you?) have you forgotten that you are born of warriors?
2.Ingoma (The Song) its a love song, praising her lover that is like that good song that plays through the night, and she doesn't care what anyone says.
3.Children of the soil. self explanatory
4.Abenguni. ( Abenguni is subgroup of Bantu including me) the song speaks of not being alone but being a part of the whole Abenguni. i love it
5.Lahl'umlenze (throw the leg 🤪/ means Dance) its a celebration song about black pride.
Ningandi jaji i tried lol.

[elleteephoenix]

Tiny desk was so lucky, this woman is a living legend

[Locqueen-tpip]

I’m Black American. First time hearing this artist. Her voice, her style, her creativity is simply enchanting. Thank you Tiny Desk for showcasing Amazing Talent 🥹

[kliquest]

More than 90% of Black South Africans can speak and understand English but they choose to sing in their African languages. From Amapiano to Every genre. Embrace your culture the Ancestors are proud

[ekaa]

I’m a Nigerian hearing Thandiswa for the first time. Her music stirs and comforts the soul at the same time. Just magical. And these musicians are beyond. I want to cry this is so good. Sending love to South Africa.

[cristetia]

Who still goes insane when they hear Ingoma? What a Classic.

[cutykerry]

Kenyans Checking in because we love SouthAfrica!! 🇰🇪 ❤

[lettienahole]

Namibia 🇳🇦 checking in because Thandiswa is for all of us Africans

[lebogangkananto]

No one talks enough about how cool the drum guy's top is. 🙌🏾✨️

[ktheko]

TinyDesk has no idea what treasure they have bought
Thandiswa, legendary moment

[rashid_kay]

Thandiswa should have won a Grammy a long time ago. She’s absolutely the best👑🇿🇦

[unathinjalomadonselai]

Glad King Tha is getting the recognition she deserves its been a long time coming. One of our GOATs

[thumbeliinaaa]

Now all we need is a Ringo Madlingozi Tiny Desk Concert and my life will be complete 🤞🏾

[thabomboweni]

20 years later, Zabalaza is still one of the best albums produced in SA.

[sivemente]

Im challenging myself everytime my comment gets liked I'll watch this video again

[BeeYou]

"Ndinebhongo, ndiyaziqhenya ngawe mzontsundu" 🔥🔥🔥 KingTha 👑👑👑

[sabastian_e_wilson]

Brown skin baby Checking in from the US, I don't know who my ancestors are but I know where my heart lives. I love you, all people's, languages, spiritualities, colors and nations of Mother Africa. ✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽✊🏼 UNIFY