Kwela music is a type of South African Jazz that originated in the townships and is often characterized by the pennywhistle, a cheap flute long used in traditional African music. A Zulu word, kwela means get-up and became a slang term to describe the police vans that would raid the shebeens (illegal bars). The people would shout "Kwela-Kwela," warning the people to get up and run. The word is also used as an invitation to "get-up " and dance.
This group, Mafikizolo, combines the old Kwela sounds with more modern influences. More and more, you can see the influence of American hip-hop in township music today. This song leans toward the traditional side, with the video depicting a story of the old racial divisions.
Oh, and I really the dig the band members' outfits.
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