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Mbulelo Mpofu, [email protected]

LOVE is a universal language that speaks to the hearts and souls of all people. That is the message that DJ Jabs, an internationally-recognised producer, and Team Nkalalakatha, a group of talented Matabeleland artistes, want to share with the world in their new album “Love Language”.

DJ Jabs, who has collaborated with regional and international stars, said he enjoyed working with the new generation of artistes.

“Working with such talented and young talent was an exhilarating experience that I’ve never felt before. This project also served as therapy for me because prior to its commencement, I was depressed,” he said.

The album features 20 Bulawayo artistes, 98 percent of whom are new to the music scene. DJ Jabs said the album was a way of uniting and empowering them.

“This album is all about love and it’s good to be able to unite the young artistes in one big project. It’s a stepping stone for them,” he said.

He also praised the teamwork of the seven engineers who worked on the album.

“They are power packs which can boost artistes’ careers when they tap into each other’s skill set and fan bases since there is always strength in numbers,” he said.

Some of the notable artistes featured on the album are Msiz’Kay, Umnikazi Wempuphu, IYASA, Luchi Shiki, and Ntu2Kay. DJ Jabs has also worked with Amany, Mzoe7, Australian Jessica Mauboy, South African Platform One, Ugandan Masaka Kids Africana, and Ghanaian TwinsDntBeg, some of whom have been nominated for Grammys.

DJ Jabs is not slowing down and has plans to release an Amapiano project with Gruv Kings and perform at various shows.

Keith Dube of Team Nkalalakatha said the album was not only about love, but also about celebrating women and condemning gender-based violence.

Team Nkalakatha’s Keith Dube

“It is evidenced worldwide that many female artistes are leaving the music industry due to sexism and abuse. Many music unions including those in developed countries highlight that their members have, at some point experienced harassment at work and we shun that,” he said.

He added that he was passionate about seeing Zimbabwe pass laws to protect young, vulnerable artistes from sexual exploitation and give them the same rights as those in fixed employment.

“Women need to be celebrated, not taken advantage of,” he said.

Team Nkalalakatha is known for their love songs, as they released “Nobuhle: Istory yiso” last year.

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