K.O’s song ‘Rainbow’ gives hope
SA’s song of hope in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic,
Rainbow, has officially been certified a national anthem after topping Radiomonitor SA Top 100 Chart.
Rapper K.O, who produced and features on the song, said yesterday the tune almost did not feature singer Msaki, J’Something of Mi Casa and QTwins of Idols SA fame.
According to K.O the initial plan for the song that was recorded during alert level 5 of the national lockdown in April was to feature “a popular choir”.
But due to strict lockdown regulations that plan proved to be impossible to implement as it would have required that the choir gather in studio.
So K.O started to think of plan B.
“We couldn’t travel to any studios and we never at any point got to be in the same studio with the collaborating artist — everything was done remotely and it was a lot of pressure,” K.O said.
“The creative process was going back and forth, sending each other voice-notes.
“Everyone brought their A game and I found so much pleasure in being the guy to take the leadership role.” According to Radiomonitor — the official airplay chart for 175 radio stations in SA — between Friday May 29 and Thursday June 4, the song was played 50 times across 20 radio stations.
“I’m honoured and happy that we managed to create something so great.
“The reception has been incredible,” K.O said.
Lebo M and Ladysmith Black Mambazo are hoping for the same success story with their new song dedicated to Covid-19 front-line heroes.
SA’s largest radio station Ukhozi FM has roped in Lebo M for its 60th birthday celebration.
producer and
The Lion King composer have curated a compilation album in honour of the special milestone.
The album will infuse artists from different genres, ranging
from maskandi to isicathamiya and Afro-soul.
Friday saw a first taste of the music to come from the record with the release of the single
Uzothol’ukuthi.
It features vocals by multiple Grammy-winning Ladysmith Black Mambazo and songbird Refi.
“The initial inspiration was and still is dedicated to the heroes in the front-line war against Covid-19, the nurses and doctors in our country and the world over,” Lebo M said.
“It was such a thrill producing Uzothol’ukuthi in just 3 days.
“The song was recorded in SA; mixed and edited in different parts of the world from Lesotho to Paris and Los Angeles, really driving the importance of the message in the song, unity.”
On Friday, SA rapper Nasty C’s long-awaited collaboration with American musician T.I. finally debuted.
Titled They Don’t, the song puts the spotlight on racial injustices across the world. — SowetanLIVE