Rumble in the Jungle (DJ Maphorisa, Kabza De Small and Tresor album)

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RUMBLE IN THE JUNGLE
Kabza De Small & DJ Maphorisa
Singles from RUMBLE IN THE JUNGLE
  1. "Funu"
    Released: 11 December 2020
  2. "Folosade"
    Released: March 25, 2021

RUMBLE IN THE JUNGLE is an

English, Zulu and Lingala.[1]

Background

The album shares its name with the

TRESOR explaining the album to TimesLIVE
:

After

TRESOR singing on a campaign they were working on, he approached him for a collaboration album in March 2020 when lockdown started. TRESOR wrote all the songs from his home studio and sent DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small ideas and they went back and forth except for songs such as "Angelina", "Mali Mali" and "Cherie" which were written when TRESOR heard the beats at DJ Maphorisa’s home studio.[2]

The cover artwork for Rumble in the Jungle was designed by visual artist and sculptor, Hedi Xandt, who has worked with

TRESOR as the legendary trinity, Memnon.[3]

Critical reception

Year-end lists

Select year-end rankings of Platinumb Heart
Critic/Publication List Rank Ref.
Pan-African Music The 50 best albums of 2021
24

Release and promotion

In May 2021, the trio unveiled a

TRESOR
explaining about the mural:

This particular album is special for me because it represents a bold statement of pride in the diversity of our culture as Africans, embracing the rich musical landscape of our home. We went back to the source and tapped into sounds from all over the continent for this album.[5]

Singles

On 11 December 2020, the trio released the album's second single, "Funu". The single topped the charts and peaked #1 on Good Hope FM's Top 10 SA House Chart after a month of its release.[6] The music video for the song was later released on 1 February 2021 and was directed by Kyle White. Explaining the music video:

"Funu" is an exuberant and colourful celebration of African dance and culture that follows a group of friends gathered in an ornate Johannesburg mansion. The juxtaposition of the mansion's colonial stylings with the cast's vibrant wardrobe and lively choreography, feeds off the uplifting, dance-rooted nature of "Funu".[7]

They released the single "Folasade" in March 2021. Folasade is a name of

Tresor Riziki and were shot in a dim-light studio brightened by the use of fluorescent lights.[8]

TRESOR revealed that the first song "Stimela" on the album was hugely influenced by the late legendary Hugh Masekela. Explaining the jazz icon was more than just an inspiration to him but a dear friend to whom he was very close:

Stimela is a beautiful storyteller-type of song which was inspired mainly by Bra Hugh. I was very close to him. He'd always tell me stories about mineworkers going back home only to find their families scattered, maybe their wives married to someone else. It's a beautiful, sad love story. This song is not a remake of the original version, it's a whole new song that's inspired by mineworkers and their love story. Me and Bra Hugh used to spend a lot of time together, he was my friend.[9]

Track listing

Rumble in the Jungle
K. Motha
  • T. Sekowe
  • 6:46
    Total length:99:00

    Release history

    List of release dates, showing region, formats, label, editions and reference
    Region Date Format(s) Label Edition(s) Ref.
    Various 28 February 2020
    • Jacquel entertainment Group
    • Piano Hub
    • Blaq Boy Music
    Standard [5]

    References

    1. ^ "DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small Enlist Tresor on Their New Amapiano Album". Okay Africa. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
    2. ^ "SA: Scorpion Kings makers and Tresor announce new album, release Funu". musicinafrica.net. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
    3. ^ "A celebration of African music in all its glory with Tresor, DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small". ecr.co.za. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
    4. ^ Joyeux, Claude. "The 50 best albums of 2021". Pan-African Music. Retrieved 2024-06-11.
    5. ^ a b c "Scorpion Kings & Tresor Unveil Mural For 'Rumble In The Jungle'". Zkhiphani. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
    6. ^ "SA House Chart". goodhopefm.co.za. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
    7. ^ "VIDEO: Scorpion Kings and Tresor Release Vibrant Dance-Rooted Video for Single 'Funu'". broadwayworld.com. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
    8. ^ "Scorpion Kings and Tresor release luminescent music video for collaborative single, Folasade". Just Nje. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
    9. ^ "Tresor on his track 'Stimela' being inspired by his time with Bra Hugh". Times Live. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
    10. ^ "Scorpion Kings and TRESOR team up on new album - Listen to their first single". News24. Retrieved 27 May 2021.