Ugcugcwa Kwenzenjani Laphekhaya: A Raw, Unfiltered Punch of African Folk from 1973
Alright, buckle up, because this review ain’t for the faint-hearted. Ugcugcwa Kwenzenjani Laphekhaya by Mshikashika & The Prides is one of those albums that grabs you by the collar and doesn’t let go. Released in ‘73 under the Soweto label, it’s a gritty, soulful dive into African folk music—no frills, no gimmicks, just pure heart and sweat. Produced by C.B. Matiwane and penned by H. Mhlapho, this thing hits different. Let me break it down.
First off, the title track, Kwenzenjani Laphekhaya. Damn, this song smacks hard. It’s got that raw energy that makes you feel like you’re sitting right there in South Africa, dirt under your nails, listening to these guys pour their guts out. The rhythm? Relentless. The vocals? Straight fire. This isn’t polished studio nonsense—it’s real people telling real stories. You can almost smell the dust and hear the whispers of struggle in every note. I keep coming back to this track because it refuses to fade into the background. It’s loud, proud, and unapologetically African.
Then there’s Ugcugcwa. Don’t even get me started on this one. If you’re looking for something soft and cuddly, skip it. This track slaps so hard it might rearrange your face. The percussion alone could wake the dead, and the harmonies are tight enough to choke a snake. There’s a wildness here—a kind of untamed spirit—that reminds you why music exists in the first place. Not to sell records or climb charts, but to tell truths words alone can’t touch. Every time I hear it, I’m left breathless, like I’ve been punched in the chest—but in a good way.
Now, sure, some folks might call this album rough around the edges. Hell yeah, it is! That’s what makes it unforgettable. No auto-tune, no fancy production tricks—just raw talent and a message that sticks to your ribs. In a world full of overproduced garbage, Ugcugcwa Kwenzenjani Laphekhaya feels like a slap in the face—and trust me, we need more of that.
So, what’s the takeaway? Screw nostalgia; this album still bangs harder than half the stuff dropping today. And honestly? Listening to it makes me wonder if we’ve lost something along the way—something primal, something human. Maybe we should all stop chasing perfection and start chasing passion instead. Or maybe I’m just trippin’. Either way, crank this sucker up and let it mess you up.
