Nisha Ts - Gender iih : Woman King Album Review

Nisha Ts is relatively new to the industry but has made quite a splash during her few years in the limelight. She splits opinion but the fact that people discuss whether she is that good or not on different platforms shows she is part of the conversation. 

She is under the stewardship of millionaire businessman Tinashe Mutarisi owner of Nash Nation record label. This means she has the some serious financial backing; recordings and videos will be taken care of, her main duty is to put pen to paper and make good records. So far she has managed to prove she has a knack for hit songs with success with tracks such as; Kutsamwa Kune Labour, Shampompo, Admire Kadembo & Madhunamutuna all which received a lot of airplay in various public spaces and radio stations. 

She now embarks on her toughest milestone yet, releasing an album. Releasing singles and an album are two different things, when a single falls flat one can quickly release another one, with singles there is no need for a cohesive storyline or sonic uniformity, two back to back singles can be as random as one desires but that does not work when it comes to an album, one has to string together like 7 plus tracks that go well back to back and for someone who has excelled at singles the main question is does she have what it takes to make a satisfying project. 

1. Pangu Pangu

The first track talks about Nisha's journey from an unknown to be a recognized name in the industry. She narrates the challenges, hurdles and opportunities that she has experienced. Pangu Pangu is an expression meaning "its about me". Nisha is also is giving herself props for hanging own, continuing to believe in herself despite the many challenges and now it has all paid off. The track is well produced, its well arranged and Nisha delivered a solid performance. 

2. Maidei

Nisha tackles a serious issue of abuse and family cover ups. She takes the view of a woman who was abused by her father in law and he infected her with HIV. She raised the issue to close family members and they  shushed her and covered up the issue so she took up the story to the chief for her plight to be heard.  The track is on this new modern jiti sound, which fuses some amapiano with the traditional jiti energy. 

3. Single feat Raymer

This is a party track where Nisha and Raymer are saying don't look much into things we have this moment so lets enjoy. When we are in the club there is no reason to ask about relationship statuses, lets just dance. They make use of the popular scenario where people say everyone can be single, it just depends on the situation and place. The track is produced well, the collaboration between the two works. 

4. Handisati Ndakuenda

On this track Nisha is saying I am going nowhere, I am still here so get ready for more music from me, get used to me. She is saying its best if you just support me rather than hope I go away. The track is energetic, arrangement is done well and Nisha delivered a solid performance. 

5. Pullo feat Ninety 6

Nisha teams up with rising artist Ninety 6 on this energetic party jam. On thus track they are saying we own the good times, when we get on stage its always memorable, the fans cannot get enough of them. Its a track that aimed at making sure the dancefloor gets busy. The collaboration between the two works well. 

6. Usadhakwe feat Oriyano

Nisha teams up with Oriyano on this track where there are saying if you cannot afford to spoil yourself its better not to join groups of those having a good time, it rarely ends well. Going to the club whilst depending on someone to buy you drinks and food gives you unnecessary pressure and is demeaning in some ways, when you are broke its better to stay home. For those who go out you know the one who does not have money gets wasted the most. The collaboration between the two works well.

7. Zvakadaro

This track is about declaring your undying love to your other half, saying I will do all that it requires to make them happy and all you want if for them to reciprocate the love and affection. Nisha delivers a solid vocal performance here, she shows she has the emotional depth for such songs. 

8. Gender Iyi

On this track Nisha Ts challenges the traditional gender roles advocating for a change of how women are treated. She is urging for better treatment of the girlchild, for increased focus to be put on women. She is sharing the plight and struggles that many women are facing in homes and is shing light on the many challenges they face.  

9. Mabhonzo

This is a touching song about the changes that happened in her life following the death of her mother. Her father remarried another woman who has no affection towards the children, life has gotten hard and unbearable for them. Nisha is crying out unto her late mother, sharing her current experiences with her, hoping the Lord gets to hear their cries. 

10. Ghetto

This is Nisha Ts's ode to the Ghetto life. She is celebrating the uniqueness, energy, diversity and insane activity that goes on in the ghettos. She is also celebrating the resilience and resourcefulness of people in the Ghetto. This is a track that makes those from the Ghetto proud and will be a favorite of many in the ghettos. 

11. Nhamo feat Alick Macheso

This is one collaboration that definitely take one's attention, Nisha teams up with the Legend Ba Sharo on this track that speaks about the burden of poverty, how it not only affects one generation but it also spills into the next generations, so its vital for each person to push as hard as they can to at least create a solid platform for the children. The collaboration works well, Alick Macheso blesses us with some beautiful bass guitar, it cannot be a Macheso collaboration without the signature bass guitar. The vocal performance from the two is also solid.

12. Body

The last track on the album about how people judge the book by its cover, if you judge someone by their outlook you get to overlook the internal struggles they are going through. One can be gong through depression but people just assume they are fine because everyday they wear their uniform going to work. Its a track that urges people to look deeper, to be more caring.  

So ya that's it for Nisha's debut album and I have to say its a mixed bag. Going into this album had no set expectations as I was still trying to figure out how I can classify Nisha's sound and after listening to the album I am still not sure on that. 

The production is done well, Nash Nation does not cut corners in that department. The instrumental arrangements are okay, you get a lot of dancehall elements throughout the project. Nisha's music leans more to dancehall so the choice of instrumentals work well with her style of singing. 

Nisha addresses a mixed bag of topics on this project, we get tracks about her personal journey, sexual abuse, love and relationships, life struggles and dreams, appreciation of the Ghetto and a coupe of party jams. A variety of topics ensure the project gets to appeal to a wide array of fans. 

Nisha delivered a solid vocal performance throughout the project, she kept to the style that has made her popular. The choice of collaborations is okay, all the chosen artists delivered good performances. The Alick Macheso collaboration will be the most surprising to many and with proper visuals it can get some decent views. 

To conclude this review I have to say this album tries to please everyone and that as a result makes it not as impressive. You can feel Nisha has some deep things to sing about but then she also has to  make hit songs for the whole Nisha Nash Nation project to make sense and finding that balance is very tough. There is need to have a central theme when one makes an album, its what ties all the songs together and ensures it appeals to a certain emotional state of the listener. I did not feel that connection on this project, it feels like a bunch of singles put together. Its however a commendable effort from Nisha however she still needs to improve and develop more. Best way is to find something she stands for or is best at that creates an identity of her entire sound, for example Feli Nandi does love songs in a vulnerable way that many easily relate to, Chillmaster does music from a perspective of a depressed person. I felt Nisha fared better on a hardcore dancehall tip such as on Ghetto and those tracks that require emotional depth such as Zvakadaro, her zoning on those two sounds/styles can do wonders for her. 

My overall rating: 6/10

For those who have managed to listen to the album feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section.

Proud_Zimbo