South African maskandi singer G-Jealous brings in Shenge Wasehlalankosi for “Umaqondana,” the closing track on his nine-song album Sidla Imali.
The song is built around a simple wish. “Umaqondana” translates as the perfect match, and G-Jealous pleads for exactly that. He asks his father to burn impepho at the altar. He admits he has struggled in love for too long, so he wants the cycle to stop.
That prayer frames the whole record. Thuthani Ndlovu produced the album, and credits name Bongumusa Minenhle Xulu as composer and lyricist. G-Jealous also sings background on the project, per the same credits.
The album came through 7416012 Records DK. Mzukulu and Nqobile guest on the title track, while Mhuqa takes “Amangqim’ngqim” and Smanga takes “Sukuma bekubone.” Shenge Wasehlalankosi leans on maskandi storytelling and rhythmic guitar in his own work, so the closing feature fits.
G-Jealous also put out “Nyanga Yami” before this, and “Luqale sakudlala” is his newer single. Does “Umaqondana” land for you? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.
