Blackout talks with creatives #10 w. Siso Nkambule

Facebook live on Yemoh & The Minority Globe and 3ZEM
 SISO NKAMBULE - Thursday 1st October - 21h
 Siso Nkambule is a talented young Swati musician with a deep, soothing voice. He describes himself as representing a new generation of African musicians. His music is African folk with elements of west African rhythms and African jazz . Siso comes from the mountainous country of ESwatini in Southern Africa. He was born in the rural areas of Sigangeni, where he grew up heading his parents’ cattle. On the mountains, music was the order of the day with other herd boys, keeping them motivated during the course of the day. From his early years he was shaped by art, as it runs in his family. His father is also an artist, who works with carving wood and stone. Siso is also inspired by nature and people - most of his music is composed as reflection of his natural surroundings and human relationships.

His first 10-track album, “INDLELA,” recorded in Cape Town and Johannesburg in South Africa, is now available in all digital platforms. Siso is a self-taught rhythm guitarist, mbira player, vocalist, arranger and composer. He sings in his native language, siSwati. His lyrics covers daily life, storytelling, spirituality and social development. He is inspired by artists like Vusi Mahlasela, Madala Kunene, Dr Philip Tabane, Habib Koite, Toumanni Diabate, Salif Keita, Rokia Traore, Tcheka, Teta, Richard Bona, Salif Keita, Oumou Sangare, Smiles Makama, Seckou Keita, Thomas Mapfumo and Simphiwe Dana.
 The concept of this limited series is to address the lack of creative collaborations between artists and creatives from various part of the continent. In this series, Yemoh will particularly shed the light on creative exchanges between north and west-African artists. In this context of the global protest Black Lives Matter, what could be the contribution of African artists ?
 The series of conversations Blackout talks with creatives is realized in collaboration with 3ZEM, a cultural center for music and arts in Rabat.