''Loliwe'' (

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Culture, language and peoples * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England * ''English'', an Amish ter ...

: ''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. Furthermore, ''Loliwe'' sold 350,000 copies after four months of being on the market. It is the second fastest selling album in South African history behind

Brenda Fassie Brenda Nokuzola Fassie (3 November 1964 – 9 May 2004) was a South African singer, songwriter, dancer and activist. Affectionately called MaBrrr by her fans, she is also known as the "Queen of African Pop" or the "Madonna of The Townships." Fas ...

's ''

Memeza ''Memeza'' is the thirteenth studio album recorded by South African singer Brenda Fassie released on 3 November 1998, the same day as Brenda's birthday. It was the best selling album in South Africa in 1998. The album went Platinum on the day of ...

'', which sold over 500,000 copies.

Background

Zahara wrote most of the songs for the album prior to signing a record deal with TS Records in August 2010. In her songs, she references

apartheid Apartheid ( , especially South African English: , ; , ) was a system of institutionalised racial segregation that existed in South Africa and South West Africa (now Namibia) from 1948 to the early 1990s. It was characterised by an ...

activists like

Walter Sisulu Walter Max Ulyate Sisulu (18 May 1912 – 5 May 2003) was a South African Internal resistance to apartheid, anti-apartheid activist and member of the African National Congress (ANC). Between terms as ANC Secretary-General (1949–1954) and ANC ...

Nelson Mandela Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela ( , ; born Rolihlahla Mandela; 18 July 1918 – 5 December 2013) was a South African Internal resistance to apartheid, anti-apartheid activist and politician who served as the first president of South Africa f ...

and

Helen Joseph Helen Beatrice Joseph OMSG (''née'' Fennell) (8 April 1905 – 25 December 1992) was a South African anti-apartheid activist. Born in Sussex, England, Helen graduated with a degree in English from the University of London in 1927 and then de ...

. 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. 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."

Singles

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

Critical reception

''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. It was nominated for Best Produced Album and won Best Female Album at the 2011 Metro FM Music Awards.

Track listing

Personnel

*Georgyn Kanana – Featured artist *Robbie Malinga – Producer *Mojalefa Thebe – Producer

Release history

References

{{Authority control 2011 debut albums Xhosa-language albums Zahara (South African musician) albums