The Zoe Modiga era: a closer look into Inganekwane

What do you get when you mix urban jazz, futuristic Africanism with a touch of elegance? Zoe Modiga. That’s the answer.

In the height of Covid, award winning South African singer and songwriter, Zoe released her sophomore album titled Inganekwane which is a Zulu term that translates to a story or a tale. Modiga says the album was the greatest love letter to black bodies all over the world.

Zoe Modiga is a seasoned award winning South African singer-songwriter / Image: Unam Ntantala

Style of music

Zoe’s music is carefully crafted, and you feel her soul when you listen to her music. Every note is intentional. She doesn’t sing because she is a classically trained singer, but she sings because her soul needs to tell a story bigger than she is and she allows herself to be a vessel.

Themes

The themes on the Inganekwane album include life (song- Impilo), loss (song- Tata), love (song- Uthando), God and power (song- Umdali), recovery (song- Lengoma), strength (song- Sinenkane), and resilience (song- Abantu).

Faves on the album

The number one song I would recommend you give an ear to is Umdali. The song is about the Creator (God). In the song, Zoe explains that people often underestimate how much their destinies have been paved for them way ahead of time. It details how successes have been prayed for by the ones who came before (ancestors), how people should stop fearing being great because they were destined to be great, just like the Creator (Umdali) said. The song is a pick-me-up that offers the comfort of affirmations.

Her latest offering, Inganekwane, has been greatly received by her audience / Image: iOL

Another favourite is Isegazini which means ‘It’s in the blood’. The song is a message to black bodies to remind them that they shouldn’t be scared to live out their wildest dreams because what they seek from the world is in their blood. They were born great and should never feel otherwise, regardless of what they are going through.

Collaborations

Zoe partnered with Banda Banda who is a seasoned producer, composer, bass player, and ambassador of African music. The pair have been making music together since the making of Inganekwane which was produced by Banda. He is also the owner of the Banda Banda Agency which was responsible for bringing most of Zoe’s tours to life. The most recent one that the agency is responsible for is to be hosted at the Big Top Arena in Carnival City on the 25^th of November 2023.

Zoe Modiga’s music is timeless. Her versatility and warm yet powerful voice is definitely one to look out for.

Main image: Tatenda Chidora

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