AWA Khiwe - Africa Woman Arise Album Review

AWA Khiwe is a breath of fresh air in the hip hop/rap scene, she offers a different sound. These days it seems every female rapper is a copycat of Nicki Minaj, AWA is going in a different way, more in touch with her culture, more proud of the African Queen that she is and is not trying to look like a sex doll. She proudly celebrates her Ndebele roots with her art.  

Ngeke Bekimele was the first track I heard from her and she made sure that first impression counted, she was amazing on that track, true definition of beast mode from first bar to last. Its one of those tracks that make you stop and ask " Who is this??". That track made many artists (even the male rappers) stop and listen, she can definitely body a lot of them in a rap battle. She followed it up with Rap Gandaganda where she basically crowns herself the Queen and fittingly so, I don't see any other female rapper in Zim matching her or even coming close. 

This new project is her first full body project and was waiting for it. Wanted to see how far she was  going to push her sound and art on this project. I am a big fan of artists who are sure of their identity and are not afraid to push their creativity unto the world, such artists are rare nowadays the industry is filled with copycats and wannabe's. 

The album is finally out and after some time of listening today will be sharing with you my views and thoughts on the album.

1. Zizobuya

The first track on the album is AWA saying don't lose hope the good things will come, the good times will come back. Life may be bleak at the moment but do not lose hope you shall find a new path, one that will be fulfilling and make you life worth living again. The production is done well and AWA was solid on the vocals. 

2. NgeMbombela (ft Mokoomba)

I kind knew this collaboration was coming since they both use the services of Outhere Records and the collaboration works. The up-tempo Amapiano inspired tempo coupled with Mokoomba awesome magic all mix up well to create this lovely sounding jam. AWA was not in her usual beast rapping mode on this one, she toned it down, well its a love song so that's to be expected. Mathias Muzaza was superb on his part, dude is among the best vocalists we have in Zim and you can easily tell why as you listen. This is a track one sings when they are finally home after some time away from their other half. I am back now my love, I had missed you so much. This is a lovely jam, would love to see Mokooomba and AWA perform this one live. 

3. Uthando Alulamgoqo

True Love is not easy to get, its patient, honest and one cannot trick their way to it, you have to go through the process to find it, it requires effort from all parties. AWA is deep in love on this one, she has decided to skip the conveniences to find her true love, she has given his heart to her man and is ready to for the whole family to be involved. The track is produced well another solid job by Ghanaian Stallion, AWA was solid on the verses. 

4. Ngiceluxole

If you have been in any form of relationship you know at some point you mess up due to various reasons and when you realize that there is only one thing to do; ask for forgiveness. That is what AWA is doing on this track, she has been influenced by the friends around her, she changed her character and neglected her other half and chased him away. Now she has realized the wrong in her ways, she knows where she went wrong and apologizing, asking him to come back home. 

5. Rise Again (ft Baby SOL)

AWA went all in on this one where she is basically every young person in Zimbabwe, rising again and again despite the rampant corruption and lack of direction that we see from the leaders. Many times it feels the ordinary person is left to fend for themselves whilst the government looks the other way. The outlook is very bleak for many but we keep rising no matter how many times we fall. The track is produced very well. AWA was superb on the verses, Baby SOL was also at par on the hook. 

6. Higher (ft Wiyaala)

This is what you get when you blend afro fusion with Amapiano, a unique distinctly African vibe with modern elements. The production is well done, love the guitar work that laces this jam. AWA is saying do not let the negativity pull you down, don't let others dictate your life but remain focused, you have the ability to soar higher. The vocal performances are solid, AWA was solid on her verse and Wiyaala was superb on the the hook. 

7. Thula Ngane Yami

Many people have grown up away from their parents due to economic hardships, the parents will have to go to another country to work despite their desire to be besides their children, where they can comfort and protect them. On this track AWA is that parent who is away from her child but wants them to know they are loved and everything will be okay. The track is produced well. AWA did well capturing the pain that many parents feel when they watch their kids grow whilst they are far. 

8. Qaphela

On the last track of the album AWA is urging young ladies to be focused on their dreams and not get distracted by shiny things for there are men who prey on those insecure ones and before one realizes it their lives will be ruined. Young girls should learn to value themselves above money and fleeting things. Many have thrown away their futures for a trendy phone, that trending shoe, don't be one of them Be Careful young woman. Production is done superbly well, love the irresistible vocal sample that keeps playing in the background. AWA again delivered a solid performance. 

So ya that's it for AWA Khiwe's debut album African Woman Arise (AWA) and its quite an experience listening to this project. If for example you ask a friend of yours to take a listen to this album from a local female rapper they will be surprises as I bet they will not be expecting such a rich afro sound laced with solid Ndebele and English bars. Its a sound that leaves an impression, one you know you can only get from an African. 

The production is superbly done, Ghanaian Stallion did a solid job on the production, he has developed great understanding with AWA and it shows, as a team they are not not afraid to explore different sounds and I respect them for that. No track sounds like the other but all share a similar soul which makes the album flow nicely as you listen. There are a lot of Amapiano influences throughout the project but they well infused, you may not pick them up if you don't listen carefully, for example like on the track NgeMbombela. They also went for an East African vibe on tracks such as Qapela and Higher and it all well executed. This is a project that will resonate with many across the continent, the afro elements are well selected and implemented, the production does justice to the album Title. You can see why such a sound is loved on the international scene among the many festivals world over, its unique and if you want it you have to chose an African artist.

AWA Khiwe's vocal performance was solid throughout the project, she proved why she is one of if not the best in game every time she starts spitting the bars. On Rise Again & Qaphela she was in beast mode, both emotionally charged songs and she brought the heat. She also showed she is not all hardcore as she also showed a softer  more romantic side on tracks such as Uthando Alulamqogo, NgeMbombela and Ngiceluxole. Her choice of collaborations was spot on, Mokoomba was superb, Baby SOL brought the energy, Wiyaala added that superb East African flavour. I'm not sure which vocal loop was used on Qaphela but its flames.

The main message being pushed by AWA Khiwe on this album is to keep powering on, we all have different histories and have experienced different circumstances (growing whilst parents work far away, working far away from your partner, an economy and politics letting you down...etc) but we should not lose hope, the good times will come, Zizobuya. 

To conclude this has been a good trip, I always enjoy music that makes me sit still and listen, such music where you listen over and over for you may have missed a guitar riff or a certain progression, it ceases to be all about the lyrics but the whole experience and this is one such project. I highly recommend it. 

My Overall Rating: 7.5/10

Feel free to share your thoughts on the album down below.

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