“Badlaliwe Abantu” The “democracy of heartbreak expressed
Feelings will be caught and most likely stay caught after listening to Badlaliwe Abantu.
Released late last year amidst minimal pomp and fanfare, this well-sculpted track combines the production craftsmanship of DJ Mizz with the vocals and song writing finesse of Yves.
Yes folks, the same songstress who had us reaching for the Kleenex and wine with “Bayeza”, her 2014 single which became a “breakup anthem”.
This time around Yves dishes up a down-tempo soulful number that bemoans unfaithfulness in relationships yet still expresses defiant optimism.
“Everyone relates to the lyrics because somewhere somehow we have all been played.
Badlaliwe Abantu is not the kind of track that will smash the charts or induce partygoers to “lose their morals” on the dance floor.
Rather, its beauty is expressed in how it effortlessly captures the “democracy of heartbreak” because no matter how “slick” you are, you can never become 100 percent “player proof”.
“Everyone relates to the lyrics because somewhere somehow we have all been played, whether in relationships or even work,” says Yves about what she believes has touched listeners so powerfully when they listen to the track.
Album incoming…
Badlaliwe Abantu is the lead single to DJ Mizz sophomore album scheduled for release later this year.
The Cape Town based producer and DJ continues to carve a niche as an artistic producer with an ear and touch for soul stirring musicality and lush melodies.
Smash hits like “Count Your Blessings” and “Kose Kuze”, coupled with the smoldering intensity of tracks like “Kuwe” (featuring Mpumi) demonstrate DJ Mizz’ ability to make music that doesn’t “expire”.
“When I created the instrumental [for Badlaliwe Abantu] I wanted something that can easily be listened to by everyone, something musical and meaningful, something you can listen to even without the vocals,” he says.
With this intention in mind DJ Mizz got to work.
“I first played the melodies then followed with the drums. The tricky part was when I had to create the drum pattern because I wanted a different progression from the one I used on my previous album, so I had to be careful on the drum elements package I was using,” says DJ Mizz about the production process.
Any artist will tell you that personal matters provide the strongest emotional backdrop when creating meaningful art.
This is no different to the song-writing that lead to “Badlaliwe Abantu”.
“I think more than anything the song is very honest and comes from a deeper place. Love conquers all and this is a happy song that says no matter how you’ve been played you will find love,” says Yves.
Pressed further on the circumstances surrounding the penning of previous heartbreak song “Bayeza”, Yves bares all.
“Well to be honest the time I wrote this track I had come out of a toxic relationship where I had invested my time and all but was left broken.
“There after I met some amazing guy who went through the same drama, but we had found love in each other, however there was just this element that wasn’t quite on 100.
Because of past experiences and being a broken soul, I had to comfort another broken soul to make our union ONE,” reveals Yves about a track that threatens to become a classic with each spin.
When teased about her fast becoming the “mistress of heartbreak songs”, Yves chuckles shyly and says that wasn’t the plan. I’m a happy soul you know but “Badlaliwe Abantu” is a continuation of “Bayeza” but in a happy light.
I’ve found real love, happiness and peace and that’s important,” she says.
DJ Mizz says his winning combination with Yves came after the pair were introduced to each other by Thabiso Mogwatlhe, formerly of Universal Music.
“Interestingly we soon found out that we both come from the same hometown and from there on we made some songs together,” says the soft-spoken producer.
In 2016 DJ Mizz released “Never Stop Dream”, a soaring debut effort that caught and kept the ears of House Music connoisseurs.
Fast forward to 2018, in terms of the sound and feel, what can we expect from rest of DJ Mizz’ yet to be titled album?
“My upcoming album is going to be very versatile and musical as I worked with lot of vocalists from different genres.
“It’s going to be a vocal album with lot of sing along tracks and from the recording so far I can say it’s going to be one of my best works to date,” asserts the talented musician.
Nothing less can be expected. Badlaliwe Abantu!
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DJ Mizz | Yves Bayeza
