'60s Africa found the Zulu and Sotho beginning to incorporate the influences of African American R&B, jazz, and blues into their traditional, indigenous music. New styles such as township jazz, pennywhistle street music, Kwela, and marabi were formed. Eventually, these myriad styles coalesced to create a new hybrid pop music that came to be known as mbaqanga. Though mbaqanga employs the traditional instrumentation of Western pop (guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, and vocals), the approach to song structure and rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic phrasing is uniquely African.
Recorded between 1981 and 1984, THE INDESTRUCTIBLE BEAT OF SOWETO is the first (and arguably the best) of a slew of South African pop recordings that soon followed. Characterized by insistent, rhythmically complex beats, elastic, burbling basslines, tight, ska-sounding guitar accompaniment, and thick, multi-part vocals, this music is as intriguing as it is appealing. Groups with such names as Udokotela Shange Namajaha and Amaswazi Emvelo serve up bright, infectious melodies and percussively insistent tracks that are clearly intended for dancing. Though this "pop" may at first seem strange to Western ears, repeated listens reveal its true nature: rich, individual, joyous, and simply wonderful music.
Jabu Ngikwenzeni
Amaswazi Emvelo Lyrics
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Jabu ngikwenzeni kangaka
Um'ungasangixoleli
Um'ungasangixoleli
Jabu ngikwenzeni kangaka
Jabu ngikwenzeni kangaka
Um'ungasangixoleli
Angisoze ngibuye ngiphinde
Angisoze ngibuye ngiphinde
Angisoze ngibuye ngiphinde
Ngenze len'tengiyenze kuwe
Ngenze len'tengiyenze kuwe
Angisoze ngibuye ngiphinde
Angisoze ngibuye ngiphinde
Ngenze len'tengiyenze kuwe
Ngenze lent'engiyenze kuwe
Abantu bayaxabana
Babuye baxolelane shwele weh Jabu
Sthandwa sam, mntakwethu
Abantu bayaxabana babuye baxolelane Jabu
Abantu bayaxabana babuye baxolelane Jabu
Abantu bayaxabana babuye baxolelane Jabu
Ngizwile Jabu
Ukuthi awufuni ngilale ngaphandle
Sengizobuya kuwe
Zonk'izinsuku
Sengizobuya kuwe
Zonk'izinsuku Jabu
Umoya wam ungeke uxole
Ngikakahlangani nawe Jabu
Ngikhulume nawe
Jabu mntakwethu
Umoya wam ungeke uxole
Ngikakahlangani nawe Jabu
Ngikhulume nawe
Jabu mntakwethu
Umoya wam ungeke uxole
Ngikakahlangani nawe Jabu
Ngikhulume nawe
Jabu mntakwethu
Jabu ngikwenzeni kangaka
Jabu ngikwenzeni kangaka
Um'ungasangixoleli
Um'ungasangixoleli
The song 'Jabu Ngikwenzeni' by Amaswazi Emvelo begins with a repeated plea to Jabu, questioning why he has mistreated the singer. The phrase "Jabu ngikwenzeni kangaka" translates to "Jabu, why have you done this to me?" The singer is clearly upset and confused about Jabu's actions and wants to know why he has done what he has done. The lines "um'ungasangixoleli" mean "you who won't forgive me" and are likely referring to Jabu holding a grudge against the singer. The repetition of these lines emphasizes the singer's desperation for answers and for Jabu to forgive them.
The chorus of the song repeats the same questions to Jabu, asking why he has done what he has and pleading for forgiveness. The lines "Angisoze ngibuye ngiphinde" mean "I will never come back again" and show that the singer is ready to move on from the situation regardless of Jabu's response. The rest of the song continues to plead with Jabu, with the lines "abantu bayaxabana" meaning "people are talking about us" and "umnakwethu" meaning "my brother" adding a personal aspect to the conversation.
Overall, the song 'Jabu Ngikwenzeni' is a heartfelt plea for answers and forgiveness from a friend or lover who has hurt the singer. The repetition of phrases and the emotional tone of the singer's voice add to the impact of the lyrics and make the song a powerful expression of hurt and confusion.
Line by Line Meaning
Jabu ngikwenzeni kangaka
Jabu, what have I done to you that you treat me this way?
Um'ungasangixoleli
You don't forgive me, even though I don't know what I did wrong.
Angisoze ngibuye ngiphinde
I will never come back again.
Ngenze len'tengiyenze kuwe
I did everything for you, but it wasn't enough.
Abantu bayaxabana babuye baxolelane Jabu
People argue and then make up, my beloved Jabu.
Sthandwa sam, mntakwethu
My love, my brother.
Ngizwile Jabu
I heard, Jabu.
Ukuthi awufuni ngilale ngaphandle
That you don't want me to stay away.
Sengizobuya kuwe
I will come back to you.
Zonk'izinsuku
Every day.
Umoya wam ungeke uxole
My spirit cannot forgive.
Ngikakahlangani nawe Jabu
I have an issue with you, Jabu.
Ngikhulume nawe
Let me speak with you.
Jabu mntakwethu
Jabu, my brother.
Um'ungasangixoleli
You don't forgive me, even though I don't know what I did wrong.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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