One can only anticipate huge things from someone with a moniker like Big Zulu. Siyabonga Nene has been making waves ever since he first appeared on the South African music industry, despite the fact that his assumed stage name is an obvious allusion to his physical stature.
With the release of “Ichwane Lenyoka,” his third studio album in almost a decade of music-making, he continues his “Big” odyssey for his listeners. The project was one of the most eagerly awaited in South Africa prior to its debut.
South Africa has a national burp now that it is here, and rightly so. Big Zulu weaves the history of his artistic development on this album while incorporating noises and sights from the KwaZulu-Natal slum.
Looking at “Ichwane Lenyoka’s” artwork is like strolling through a symbolism-filled hallway. And considering how much the owner of Inkabi Records like visuals, that’s not surprising. In the cover image, for instance, a farm appears to be at dusk.
A bull, an elephant, and their calves trot in the direction of what appears to be a yellow while a child, obviously a small Big Zulu, watches forward. Big Zulu’s head stands out as an intimidating figure behind the elephant.
Big Zulu wanted to emphasize that change is inevitable and that he had come a long way in his musical career. After all, he went from being an unknown musician from remote KwaZulu-Natal to becoming one of the key figures in Kasi rap.
Since the song’s title, “Ichwane Lenyoka,” implies that the artist had to fend for himself without the assistance of a mentor figure when he first entered the music field as a want tobe rapper, one may have anticipated a snake on the artwork. In contrast to a chicken, a snake gives birth and then vanishes without raising its young.
Big Zulu may not be the face of South African hip-hop, but there’s no doubting that he has a significant voice and is a skilled storyteller who can hold an audience’s interest.
This should be clear from the compilation “Ichwane Lenyoka,” which is worth the listen. So press the play button now!
