What makes Loliwe by Zahara notable?

Loliwe was a commercial success, debuting at the top of the South African charts and earning Zahara multiple awards, including the Best Female Artist at the 2012 South African Music Awards. The album's impact extended beyond sales; it inspired a wave of young artists in the Afro-soul genre, solidifying its place in contemporary South African music. Released in 2011, Loliwe was Zahara's debut album, marking her entrance into the South African music scene. At this point, she was a rising star, having gained recognition for her unique sound and emotive storytelling through music.

How many songs are on Loliwe?

Loliwe has 12 tracks, running approximately 51 minutes.

Loliwe

Zahara · 2011

51 min · 12 tracks · Afro-soul

Soulful melodies intertwine with powerful vocals, creating a rich tapestry of Afro-soul that resonates deeply with listeners.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Loliwe — The title track showcases Zahara's signature vocal delivery and lyrical depth, encapsulating themes of longing and hope that resonate throughout the album.
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Destiny — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its uplifting message and strong melodic hooks, effectively introducing Zahara's artistic vision.
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Umthwalo — Umthwalo stands out for its rhythmic complexity and emotional weight, illustrating Zahara's ability to blend traditional influences with contemporary sounds.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

Zahara's debut showcases strong songwriting and powerful vocals, blending traditional and contemporary elements effectively.

What we noticed

The first three tracks feature a consistent mid-tempo groove, while the fourth track introduces a more upbeat rhythm.
Vocals dominate the mix, often layered with harmonies that emphasize emotional delivery.
Several tracks incorporate traditional African instruments alongside contemporary arrangements, creating a fusion of sounds.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Destiny 4:16
2 Umthwalo 5:33
3 Loliwe 4:32
4 Xa Bendingena Mama 3:20
5 Ndize 3:24
6 Incwad'encane 5:06
7 Lengoma 3:42
8 My Guitar 5:30
9 Thekwana 3:30
10 Away 4:20
11 Brand New Day 3:59
12 Shine 4:41

What to play next

Listen next

The Beginning Live

2012

Full Zahara discography Artists like Zahara

Afro-soul

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata