U.S. based music publication American Songwriter named Bongeziwe Mabandla’s album iimini, one of its top albums of 2020. Released in June of 2020, iimini, which translates to ‘days’, is a concept album about the demise of a relationship, sung in Xhosa. It was recorded over the course of 21 days in 2019, in Johannesburg and Maputo, alongside Mozambican musician, songwriter and producer Tiago Correia-Paulo. iimini is rooted in South African traditions as well as American soul. Upon its release, Bongeziwe said “I’ve always loved listening to lyrics. South Africans love storytelling in a song and I am led by a desire to be part of that tradition when writing.”
Read American Songwriter’s full feature here. Listen to iimini below.
