Iconic South African band Freshlyground has released their new album Can’t Stop! Produced by Tore Johansson (OK Go!, The Cardigans, Franz Ferdinand), the long-awaited record comes off the back of an exciting fan-driven crowdfunding campaign.
Can’t Stop is the band’s 7th studio album and features the hit single BLCK GRLS, as well as the intoxicating Mna Nalamagenge, a collaboration with The Soil. The album is a true-to-their-roots variety of fresh and funky material, spanning genres and featuring musical luminaries such as Karen Zoid and Oliver Mtukudzi.
“Making this record was so much fun! I’m blessed to continually tour the world with Freshlyground, yet nothing tests your skills like coming together to make an album with all-new songs. We’re looking forward to putting it out into the universe and having fans enjoy it!” says lead singer Zolani Mahola.
Can’t Stop released worldwide and is now available on Apple Music.
Meanwhile the lead single BLCK GRLS continues to gather momentum on radio across the country. The song is inspired by singer Zolani’s experience growing up in South Africa, and the real, perceived or assumed limitations that come with that.
It’s a song about throwing aside limitations and embracing the freedom to be WHATEVER YOU WANT TO BE regardless of what you look like, who you ‘appear’ to be or where you come from.
Says Zolani “Growing up there were chores reserved only for girls. I was told I dressed in the wrong clothes, that I had to comb my hair, that I had too thick an African accent, that I was too fat and later that I was too thin! I was told these things by well-meaning people who were trying to get me to be a good “normal” black South African girl. It’s taken me a long time to realise that those concerns and limitations were about their own fears and insecurities.”
“Girl they said you had to fake it to be somebody I know
They told you you would never make it
But I know you won’t sit down and take it
‘Cause you’ll grab that mould and have to break it“
She continues: “When people listen to the song, I hope they feel a sense of freedom and untie themselves from the ‘labels’ that others may be trying to force on them. Be yourself is what this song is saying; because there is only one life and it’s up to you to live it authentically.”
For more information, visit freshlyground.com. Join the conversation on Facebook (freshlygroundsa) and Twitter (@freshlygroundsa), and catch their music videos on their YouTube channel (Freshlygroundsa)
Freshly Ground
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