Category: Events

PLATOON PRESENTS: AFRICAN LULLABIES PART 1

 

Johannesburg, Friday, 1 October 2021 – Platoon celebrates Kids Music Day with the release of their African Lullabies album, a 17-track compilation for kids assembled in conjunction with some exceptional African voices.

 

The project emerges out of a desire to expand on the rich heritage of African folklore and create unique content for children which is representative of African culture. The soulful and soothing lullabies will resonate far beyond Africa, and you can expect to hear new original lullabies with new spins to some of the most iconic ones from Africa.

This is the first in a two-part series. Part 1 focuses specifically on South African singers and songwriters, with songs in isiXhosa, isiZulu, Swahili, seSotho and English, including a few instrumental tracks. Most of the recordings are original compositions by the artists, drawing from their experiences in parenthood, African folklore, and some are interpretations of previously released material arranged and re-recorded as lullabies. Part 1 features Ami Faku, Aymos, Azana, Bonga Kwana, Derek Gripper, Inga Hina, Leomile, Manana, Msaki, Nobuhle, Ntsika, Thesis ZA, TRESOR, Zu., Qhawekazi, Zoë Modiga and Zolani Mahola (The One Who Sings).

 

“It’s been a privilege and inspiration to work alongside these artists, some of whom are parents themselves, as they bring their African Lullaby interpretations to life on African Lullabies, Part 1. Each one took naturally to the task of creating new children’s content in their mother tongues and delivered something truly unique,” said Hagar Graiser, South Africa Music Lead at Platoon. “Whilst we started making these for children, we fell in love with the music ourselves, as it offered much needed soothing during chaotic times. We hope to see this music travel the globe and give us all the sweetest dreams.”

 

Stream African Lullabies Part 1 now, available across all major platforms:

https://platoon.lnk.to/African-Lullabies-Part1

CONNECT:

 

All Artists On Album	Instagram Handles
Platoon Ami Faku Aymos Azana Bonga Kwana Derek Gripper Inga Hina Leomile Manana Msaki Nobuhle Ntsika Thesis ZA TRESOR Qhawekazi Zoë Modiga Zolani Mahola Zu.	@weareplatoon @ami_faku @aymos_shili @azanaofficial @bonga_kwana @derek_gripper @ingahina @leomile_ @officialmanana @msaki_za @nobuhlemusic @ntsikamusic @thesisza_ @tresorofficial @qhawe_how_do_you_say_that @zoemodiga @zolanimahola @zumakesmusic

 

 

QUOTES:

 

Zu.

The lullaby I created was written for my 15-month-old son. I realised that my voice calms him and naturally, as a musician, I sing to him often. When he’s crying, during bath time, when he wakes up and (through the lullaby) to help him fall asleep.

 

I’m proud to be a contributor to the children’s music space. There’s a lot of music children shouldn’t be exposed to and to be able to offer an alternative makes me happy.

 

I feel like a supermom! I think music written specifically for children is important. The things we say to our children determine the kind of adults they become. Young minds need healthy messages. The fact that my children have songs to and about them makes me happy and I hope that they feel special as a result.

 

TRESOR

“Milele” is a laid-back lullaby inspired by simple African living. It’s a sincere African tale about the everlasting beauty of life. It’s been great working on my first children’s song and I hope to do more – the creative process has been incredibly therapeutic.

 

Zolani Mahola (The One Who Sings)

My song is a lullaby I sang to my second born son when I was putting him down one night. I recorded the voice note on my phone and it’s what you hear at the beginning of the track. The inspiration behind the full track is to make a child feel special and loved and wanted.

It’s not “quite” my first children’s song but it’s perhaps my first recorded lullaby. It feels very right as my intention is to create works for and about children. Feels very aligned in fact!

 

It feels wonderful to use my art to show love for children as the elevation of the time of childhood is a central feature of my work going forward as an artist. I am in love with this work and can see my own children’s album in the future!

 

Ami Faku

I really enjoyed creating the music and reintroducing my sound in this new way.

 

Aymos

The song was inspired by the Bible script that says, “Joy comes in the morning.” I come across many children from humble backgrounds who have to overcome many trials, particularly those raised by single mothers. I wanted to say, “Stay strong, for tomorrow is a brand-new day with a lot of possibilities.” I am honoured to be a part of Platoon’s first lullaby album, because the project invests in the future leaders of Africa.

 

Azana

The lullaby is a mixture of beautiful sounds of voices and nature that calms your soul. Sleep tight.

 

Msaki

I’ve been writing and singing songs for and with my kids since before my six-year-old was born. This is my first recording of one and we are so excited because my six-year-old daughter is singing with me. The intro is a song she sings to her younger siblings after our bedtime stories. I’m singing her to sleep, and she is singing her fluffy giraffe friend to sleep. I’m really passionate about contributing to the existence of this kind of content. I really want there to be more songs in our languages for our children. I’ve never been happier to be part of a project.

 

Anja Stoeckigt (artwork illustrator)

I have always loved the beautiful cacophony of bird song; with all their trills and whistles playing a tune straight to my heart. When I was asked to create the album cover for African Lullabies, my thoughts immediately went to natures’ musicians. And so the image of birds singing and playing instruments for a little one was born.

 

 

 

*Artists’ high resolution images available on request.