Thabilé is an internationally acclaimed musician from Soweto, South Africa. Her unabashedly at once smooth and strong voice combines elements of jazz, soul and traditional African music. Growing up in South Africa, which is only just coming to terms with centuries of apartheid, the lyrics in Thabilé's debut album "Dlamini Echo" are inspired partly by these experiences and partly by the many different life stories of women.
"Dlamini Echo" is a tribute to the township of the same name, which is part of Soweto and where Thabilé was born. It's also where the echo comes from - the memories of her youth.
The title song tells of the carefree days in Dlamini, of poverty, but also of people's sense of belonging. Of the streets full of music and laughter - and of how you can be happy and content even with very little: "barefoot all day, dancing all day". Thabilé says: "In Dlamini everyone knew everyone - and everyone was part of the family. As children, we played all day with homemade toys. This is where I learned - among many other things - to be grateful for the simple things in life." One song line reads, "Precious memories of the ghetto." "Dlamini Echo" is a tribute for Thabilé not only to Dlamini, but to all townships and ghettos around the world.
Lyrics source and further information: PM The Factory Frankfurt and
https://www.die-fabrik-frankfurt.de/programm
