Loliwe | ||||
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Studio album by Zahara | ||||
Released | 6 September 2011 | |||
Recorded | 2011 | |||
Genre | Afro-soul | |||
Label | TS Records | |||
Producer | Robbie Malinga Mojalefa Thebe |
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Zahara chronology | ||||
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Singles from Loliwe | ||||
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Professional ratings | |
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Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
Music Review South Africa | 92/100 |
MOMIX | 8/10 |
Loliwe (English: The Train) is the debut studio album by South African singer-songwriter Zahara, released on 6 September 2011. The album's production was handled by Robbie Malinga and Mojalefa Thebe. Georgyn Kanana made a guest appearance on it. The album was supported by the singles "Loliwe" and "Ndiza". It sold over 20,000 copies and reached gold status within 72 hours of its release. Four weeks after it was released, the album sold 210,000 copies in South Africa. Furthermore, Loliwe sold 350,000 copies after four months of being on the market. It is the second fastest selling album in South African history behind Brenda Fassie's Memeza, which sold over 500,000 copies.
Zahara wrote most of the songs for her debut album prior to her record deal with TS Records in August 2010. In her songs, she references apartheid activists like Walter Sisulu, Nelson Mandela and Helen Joseph. The track titled "Loliwe" refers to the train that brought workers back home after many years away working in Johannesburg where they often had other families. According to Zahara, "For me it is a metaphor. It's like ... just pick yourself up. No matter who's your father or who's your mother ... I believe that you're not a mistake."
TS Records released the album's lead single "Loliwe" on 31 August 2011. The music video for the single was directed by Ash Dibben and produced by Mastermax Films.
"Ndiza", the album's second single, was released on 25 November 2011. Zahara describes the song as "a place one goes to make their heart pure". The music video for the single, directed by Hypnotic Films, has eclipsed the 900,000 views mark on YouTube.
Upon its release, Loliwe was met with positive reviews. Simah of MOMIX gave the album an 8 out of 10, stating: "The album actually proves the opinions I've been hearing about it. And it serves as one of the most powerful debuts by a South African woman. She certainly possesses the golden touch because her talent is enough to make her shine and reach for her destiny."