Mogale Sedibe is a South African based Spoken word performer and Children's literature author. In 2015 he published his debut poetry chapbook titled "His Thoughts" with Ink Sword publishers in collaboration with Department of Arts and Culture in Northern Cape. 2019 published his first children's literature picture storybook with Puku foundation in Johannesburg. Book titled Moshe Le Sefofane, a digital/virtual picture storybook. Read More
Mogale recently released his sophomore project titled: "Moya Wa Mutwa" and we had to jump at the opportunity to listen and review the project. Here's our breakdown and review.
First Impressions
Honestly, I took a few deep sighs before I listened. I had high expectations for this project and Mogale. I expected to be taken on a journey through the mind of a madman and by ‘madman’ I simply refer to the mind of an unconventional, out-of-box thinking kind of man. These were my first thoughts. So, let’s get into the project and try to unpack the mysteries and expose the mediocrities.
Spirit Of Mutwa
Allow me to preface my thoughts by saying that an introduction will determine whether your album or book is worth the time and effort you’re asking of your audience. An introduction will draw listeners/readers in or repel them. This, as an introduction, feels superfluous, but coming from Mogale, this kind of ‘extra-ness’ is kosher.
This album exists for a specific and special purpose and it was captured so well in the opening lines of the poem. This album is a celebration of the life and contributions of Vusamazulu Credo Mutwa in Afrikan literature, spiritual and traditional healing…
Having been drawn in from the start by the voice of uBaba Credo, then transitioning to Mogale giving us a breakdown of his thoughts (IYKYK) about the album, and going on to serenade us with sweet poetry as only he can.
I was on pins and needles when he said:
“I always thought insanity to be this dark room filled with echoes of whispers, projected by thought
Insanity is just a conversation between two distant thoughts, connected by an unseen umbilical cord” – I don’t know what would possess anyone to stop listening after getting such a vivid image of insanity painted in your mind. The chanting and choice of instruments give this song an authentic African feel and sound.
As far as intros go, this is one of my favorites thus far.
Ukushona Kwe Langa
This one is kinda trippy. The concept is clear as day, and the message to me is: search for the light, find the light, and be the light. From my time spent listening, I’d say introspection is the central theme in this song. Knowing personally that pursuing self-actualization bears a heavy cost, lines like: “I’m losing lovers while finding myself” resonate so deeply.
The call to acceptance of self despite one’s flaws also resounds. My favorite line in this entire piece is:
“And our deepest fear is that we are born healers into a broken system
We are magicians inspired by our own delusions
Driven by our own confusion
I’m speaking in my father’s voice”
As a side note, I wouldn’t advise having your wife and your mistress in the same room. (haha)
Consider
Are you a thinking person? Have you ever found yourself in the middle of processing something that you had to break down into bite-sized chunks first? Then imagine yourself being in deep thought and then you get smacked in the face by a child, disrupting your thought process and causing great annoyance. You can’t hit the child back because, well…they’re a child. Reality does that to us all the time.
Just like the music, I came to a sudden stop. I was forced to consider just how easy it is for us to fall into patterns, mostly the bad ones.
“There are bitter things hidden behind venomous tongues of introverts who are thinking loud enough to break the walls they’ve built around them” – words that hit us deep enough to make us think, but not hard enough to drive us to take action. Who are we? If we knew for sure, would we act upon that knowledge? The conviction with which this poem is recited had me sitting in silence for a minute. Let me pose this question: What separates humans from animals? Consider!
Swallow Me
If the soundtrack for a Western-themed was made in Mzansi, this is how I imagined it sounding. I love it. Shout out to Mali B-Flat and Mokopu Mokopu for this one! Brilliant team-up.
The wordplay in this poem is flawless! Mogale dug deep into his Poet’s Toolbox and chose to show off his technical penmanship. The interplay of words, manipulation of flow, breaking down the syllables to create a ‘faux homonym’.
“Release me from this malevolence
This mellow violence of abusive blues”
Apart from the 4-syllable scheme, the cadence and emphasis of the ‘B’ sonically mimics alliteration. This is undoubtedly my favorite poem to break down. And I could go on like this for days, but I won’t.
The narrative of an abused woman being forced to give up her dreams unwinds metaphorically in true poetic fashion. But, in reality, we see ourselves having to contend with ourselves because sometimes we are the aggressor and the victim. We may show the world kindness but are unkind to ourselves. We isolate ourselves only to harm ourselves. The first person we have to fool with our lies is ourselves. The biggest opposition we face daily is us. Mastery of self is the only mastery that matters.
The infusion of Pastoral poetry (poetry that romanticizes nature) gives this piece great depth and the poet should get his flowers (pardon the pun) for how masterfully he was able to weave this story together without losing the plot. This is POETRY!!!
Veronica
Okay… now we get to the heart-wrenching part of the project. I would love to offer my poetic commentary on this piece, but I’m trying to tread carefully because this is not just an allegory, it is real-life. I would hate to take the sting out of these very potent words. I’ll let the poet be Veronica’s mouthpiece and I’ll just turn the volume knob up a few decibels.
Her Memories
The first thing I hear when this song comes on is the seraphic, mesmerizing voice of the oh-so-talented Alexis-Rae. That should be all I need to say, and you’d echo my sentiments if you’ve ever had an experience with her.
This poem has levels of depth to it. I would classify it as an Irregular Ode fused with characteristics that define a soliloquy. It is truly a remarkable thing to see these two poetic forms in narrative structure. It’s not at all impossible to write in this manner, and I’m sure that it comes easy for many poets. But I’m not referring to the technicality of the writing, but the vulnerability expressed through stoic words.
It was easier to expound on this poem after my first listen, but now I find myself in bewilderment. Shouldn’t one be able to articulate oneself better the more time one takes to study and understand the subject? Well, not with complex things such as emotions. I am drawn into this story like I know the characters personally. This is one of those poems that disrupted my process.
Metaphorically, the overarching theme in this piece is exposing the hypocrisy in black communities. From family secrets to neighbors beefing. It feels like the poet is expounding of the story of Veronica. There is no accountability. In our conscience, we carry the corpses of people we killed in our hearts and then we walk past them and greet them with a smile. Hypocritical, much?
“They buried him an angel with his demons” – it can’t get more oxymoronic than this.
Poetry
“Poetry was found quivering on the cutting room floor
Slashed and bleeding from a razor-sharp red pen” – these are the opening lines of the closing poem. Is poetry dying? Has it already died? Not a chance!
It is through poetry that ancient knowledge is passed on to us utilizing didactics. The poet recalls part of a conversation he had with his father. There was an exchange of knowledge. Even as a grown man, you must know that you don’t know all there is to know about everything; that’s why it is imperative to listen and learn every opportunity you get.
With that said, Mogale puts on his ‘teaching hat’ and starts to count down from 9 and teaches us the significance of numbers and what each one represents. For the thinking mind, this will arouse a burning curiosity that will only be satisfied by seeking and finding understanding.
“10 is not a number, but a fact”
Rating & Final thoughts
At this point, it should become apparent that “Swallow Me” is my favorite track on the album, hands down! It is a mind-blowingly intricate piece of literature. This is the poem that stands out for me. I can’t name any track on the album that sagged. This album truly is a good listen.
I love how the essence of poetry was captured. The delivery is very unique. I listened to the album almost 10 times in an attempt to grasp the gravitas of the concept of “Moya Wa Mutwa” and here I am still trying to wrap my mind around it. I can see the influence of uBaba Credo and his teachings in the writings of Mogale and how they’ve shaped his worldview.
He did not overthink the concept and didn’t try to force uBaba Credo into every song. From the first track to the last, the Spirit of Mutwa abides.
My overall rating of the album: 3.9/5
The album could have scored a 4.5/5 rating, but I was just annoyed with the mixing on a couple of the songs, including my favorite:
“Consider” – panned way to the left
“Swallow Me” – panned mostly to the right
It’s an annoyance I can get over, but for now, that’s the rating I’ll give it. It’s no doubt a beautiful album. The best way I can describe it is to call it a symphonic, soul-soothing soliloquy.
Mogale, well done! We wish you the absolute best as you push boundaries with this release.
Let us know how you experienced the album in the comment section.
Also, let’s talk about the rating. Do you agree? Let’s engage. Looking forward to reading your thoughts.
Moya Wa Mutwa is available on all major music streaming platforms. Click on this link to listen: Mogale Sedibe: Moya Wa Mutwa
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