Straw-hat chords stretch Marlode, Owams’ arc
SINCE doing the utmost to capsize and upset, a too big of a moment of growing yaps, estimating its astuteness — in turning gagged ‘make it or break it’ showbiz experiences into bravura eminence — as “probably a serious fluke that would, due to a catastrophic shorn of wings midair, speedily fissure into a scary drop”; berceuse-engineering duo Marlode & Owams is so pumped to school, neuter and script history. The chemistry advantaged Disc Jockeys (DJs) from Middleburg, Mpumalanga — look super positive to remain wedded to the merits of their titanic ambitions; as audible hysterics lie in wait for them to varnish the screams on the concrete release of their debut EP (extended play).
Rosier in a zilch ‘run about like a headless chicken’ temperament, Marlode & Owams is hitting the right patch. Attaining acclaim for an argus-eyed elbow grease avantgarde easy-to-read élan; that is raining cats and dogs on the crepuscular synthesisers, ad-libbed utopian pads and hot-blooded log percussion instrument baselines of an adrenaline-charged Amapiano genre — hatched in the thudding townships of South Africa.
Salving sores, the DJ's striking trajectory record includes production credits on the birdcall ‘Dzepa’ by 2woBunnies and multi-platinum artist Ch’cco — alongside chanted artists Shaunmusiq and Ftears. It is Marlode & Owams’ prevalent number to date — certified gold — in actuality, aiding to ballista the duo’s gallop to fame in Mzansi.
Afrobeats as well as Rhythm & Blues Soul — chiefly manipulating the sound for the compelling 21-year-old artist’s drums and tonal patterns; the fall of last year would witness ‘Impilo’ the pair’s pooled venture with nifty melodic duet 2woBunnies — slingshot to the top 20, on radio charts across the ‘rainbow nation’. A lot to like about the banger is the colourful detail that an ensemble of flairs — listing sonic gems Leandra. Vert, MaWhoo, Sponge 101, Gilano, and Toby Franco — also hop on it.
So fearless, as last 12-month wrinkled, Marlode & Owams erected on the constructive reception of ‘Impilo’; hypnotising audiences with a smash single called ‘Summer’, on which the DJs tap the soulful vocals of Nanette — a Rhythm & Blues soloist composer. The latter choral driving force had a standout year (2023). She hurdled on the tune ‘Fool Me’; a catchy ditty taking the lion’s share of South Africa’s second highest streamed artist for the past 12-month period — platinum-selling DJ and producer — Kelvin Momo’s good-as-possiblycan work of blues creation.
Despite the laser sharp point that the lullaby — ‘Impilo’ — greater than before by the incorporation of an epic guitar solo, abbreviates a burly backdrop to the keynote of traversing existence’s scrapes; having come into contact with a booming chord by way of its mushrooming audience, the ballad — ‘Summer’ — plucks out the best Marlode & Owams has to offer with a crazy funky sensibility. An exposé and homage to the Amapiano as well as Dance euphony the opus-manufacturing pair has been cultivating, which Marlode opined with conviction as “the key to connecting even more deeply with fans”.
Sticking to the handsomely hammering descant, ‘Summer’ is a mirror image of the buoyancy Marlode & Owams has long-drawn-out in understanding its symphonic identity. Reckoned by Owams as “just the beginning of what is in store”; the Mzansi power duo is not merely assembling anthems, it is crafting an experience that is resonating with stalwarts who animate to croon as well as pundits in search of astral qualities in trills and lilts. A secret up Marlode & Owams’ sleeves; two dissimilar renditions of ‘Summer’ — an Amapiano version that stays spot-on to the genre’s pedigrees and a 3-step interpretation that spectacles the DJs’ state-of-the-art slant to music — add an extra veneer of enjoyment.
Cuddling up the dewy behind the ears year 2024; Marlode & Owams is enthusiastic about presenting a complete auditory communication chef-d’oeuvre that encapsulates its evolution and clots its residence in the Amapiano Kingdom. Set to crack the dry spell, the impending canons sculpt (EP) — promise to be the ticker of a glittering liaison; a jam-packed mien of in what manner the hearable sensation brainiacs have brought into being their groove.
The bar set higher than ever, cantabile artists Nkosazana Daughter and TmanXpress, Slade a songwriter and beat maker, as well as Yumbs a multi-platinum selling producer; are a cast of notable collaborators, which has scored a very hot ticket to drown itself in Marlode & Owams’ unrepentant celebration of culture through selfcountenance.
Grant Moyo is a prolific writer, innovative media personality, entrepreneur and a creative artist who is passionate about using his creative mind for the betterment of society. Follow him on X: @TotemGrant