Professor Proves Jesus Is a Great Kwaito Composer In His Latest Album

Professor's tales of partying and relationships were Composed by Jesus Christ.

South African kwaito star Professor, recently released his third album Composed By Jesus Christ. Don't be misled by the title, though, Composed By Jesus Christ is no gospel album.

Save for "Sthunywa," which touches a bit on religion, Professor is still as we've grown to know him throughout the album. He tells tales of partying, debauchery and relationships over typical Durban kwaito production featuring lean bass lines, skittering drums and an assortment of synths. And there are those chants from female voices who are usually not credited.

Right after declaring his affinity to Jesus Christ on the intro, Professor jumps straight into a song about partying without losing morals. "Morals," which features Speedy and Emza, sets the tone for a great kwaito album that has enough bangers to keep you on the dance floor for the rest of the year.

Read: The 10 Best Kwaito Producers

Most of Composed By Jesus is monolithic. But the song "States" has a nostalgic old school kwaito feel by way of a heavy bassline. It's definitely one of the best songs on the album—and this is an impressive album full of good tracks.

Professor is known for unorthodox features that one wouldn't expect on a kwaito album. In his last two records, The Orientation (2012) and University of Kalawa Since 1994 (2014), he has worked with the likes of Ray Phiri, Avante and Freddie Gwala among others.

On Composed By Jesus Christ, look out for appearances from OGs such as Dan Tshanda, Thebe and Joe Nina and OSKIDO alongside current stars–the likes of K.O., Cassper Nyovest, Mpumi, Uhuru, AB Crazy, Character, and more.

The album's themes revolve around merrymaking ("Morals," "Professor," "Birthday") and relationships ("Troubled Man," "Brand New," "Banamanga," "Can't Get Away"). Professor makes sure every guest featured assists in completing each song, either thematically or by lending dynamic vocal skills.

This will definitely be another big year for the Durban-born Kalawa Jazzmee signee.

kwaito music south africa

Interview

Interview: Wavy The Creator Is Ready to See You Now

The multidisciplinary Nigerian-American artist on tapping into all her creative outlets, creating interesting things, releasing a new single and life during quarantine.

A trip canceled, plans interrupted, projects stalled. It is six months now since Wavy the Creator has had to make a stop at an undisclosed location to go into quarantine and get away from the eye of the pandemic.

The professional recording artist, photographer, writer, fashion artist, designer, and evolving creative has been spending all of this time in a house occupied by other creatives. This situation is ideal. At least for an artist like Wavy who is always in a rapid motion of creating and bringing interesting things to life. The energy around the house is robust enough to tap from and infuse into any of her numerous creative outlets. Sometimes, they also inspire trips into new creative territories. Most recently, for Wavy, are self-taught lessons on a bass guitar.

Wavy's days in this house are not without a pattern, of course. But some of the rituals and personal rules she drew up for herself, like many of us did for internal direction, at the beginning of the pandemic have been rewritten, adjusted, and sometimes ditched altogether. Some days start early and end late. Some find her at her sewing machine fixing up thrift clothes to fit her taste, a skill she picked up to earn extra cash while in college, others find her hard at work in the studio, writing or recording music.

Keep reading... Show less

popular.

The 10 Songs You Need to Hear This Week