Daliwonga treats fans to a grand view of his musical evolution in a new body of work entitled “Chameleon” album. Yes, this compilation treats you to vistas of how the songster has evolved over the years, from an unknown act to one of the amapiano notables.
“Chameleon” the album popped on streaming platforms on November 20, a body of work with enough charm to take lovers of the amapiano genre places in musical ecstasy.
This compilation bears thirteen (13) tracks in all and has some notable voices in South African music on the tracklist. Artistes of disparate genres found expression in this body of work which heavily leans on the amapiano genre
The compilation begins on a fiery note with a musical walk with MKeys, Madumane and Kabza De Small. One can’t say why Daliwonga chooses to start with “Gumba Fire,” but it is obvious the song merits it position on the tracklist. It is track 1 in the compilation and bears so much musical fire.
Having set the pace with “Gumba Fire,” Dali Wonga appears to take things a little easy with his “Menemene” track. Although bearing the idea of prophecy in title, the song really brings the listener nothing prophetic. It is a potent addition to the tracklist nonetheless and should make for a fine listening session.
Where most artistes are content to put an eponymous track as No. 1 on a tracklist, Daliwonga elects to go his own way, putting in at No. 3. This track has the Piano Kings DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small as guests. The eponymous “Chameleon” stands out as one of the most engaging in the compilation.
The potency of Daliwonga’s offerings continues with “Jabula” and “Phatha Phatha.” The one features MKeys, DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small, and the other features no guests whatsoever. They are songs any lover of amapiano music would readily embrace.
In the song which follows, “Vur Vai,” Daliwonga spits a possessive verse alongside Mdu aka TRP & Bongza, two fine artistes who are almost inseparable these days. The two have worked on several songs previously, most recently on “Woodblock.”
“Vur Vai” is a song with all the allotropes of a hit. But can it compete with Kwesta’s song go the same title released two years ago (2018)? Both songs are markedly different but potent enough to heat up dance floors any day, anytime, anywhere.
In the next track, “Bamb’inja,” Daliwonga links up with MDU aka TRP & Bongza once again, serving a musical treat which he repeats on “Crash Into Me,” bringing the Zimbabwean Sha Sha into the mix. Other songs, moving in their energies, follow.
“Chameleon” the album brings the listener a story of change. Latent in this story is evidence that things have changed and things have remained the same.
Daliwonga has remained true to amapiano, but he is no longer on the baby plane as an artiste. He has grown strong creative sinews over the years which are evident in his “Chameleon” album.
Here, if you please, is a compilation to look up to. In his attempts to weave several stories into a single canvas, Daliwonga mostly succeeds. The result is splendid and fascinating.
“Chameleon” the album is a work of vehement energy and should make a grand addition to the body of amapiano music the Rainbow Nation has embraced this year.
On a scale of zero to five, we would rate “Chameleon” three point five (3.5) out of five stars. If you think we’re parsimonious with our stars, you’re not alone. We probably think the same. But the stars remain. Three point five.
How would you rate Daliwonga’s “Chameleon” album, though?
