Jazz it out

South African born and New York based vocalist, composer and teaching artist NALEDI is releasing her debut EP “BATHO”, which means ‘people’ in SeSotho, her home language on 21 June.  “This project is both an exploration of my communities and a call to action”, she told Jazz It Out.  It’s a title rich with significance for the singer – songwriter, who’s busy constructing a multi-disciplinary career and a wide artistic community spanning multiple continents.

There are different purposes for her home audience and the international community.  “For Batho Baka, my people, it is a love letter.  Penning my utmost gratitude and honour for being part of such dynamic lineage of people who are resilient, beautiful, loving and so full of story”, she said.  “For the international community, I want them to hear and feel that.  To be in community with us and connect through song. Being more curious about our world and connecting with each other”, she added.  The recording has six original compositions she sings in five different languages.

The first single of the EP “Peace and Justice” was released on 16 February.  NALEDI composed the tune as a result of a mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas in 2022. Despite it being a song about a US incident, it has an African rhythm.  She has artists from every continent playing in the EP.  “They were so intentional and listening and learning.  Most importantly, they were able to bring their own voices into the music” she said.

Hearing about all these tragic incidents that were happening in the US was quite frustrating for an artist who is deeply committed to the principles of Ubuntu.  Watching people like struggle icon Winnie Madikizela Mandela grounded NALEDI and motivated her to do more and say more.  While was based in Boston, she took part in many extracurricular activities such as heading the Black Students Union where she played a monumental role in bring forward Black voices.

“Areyeng! (Let’s Go)” is the second single from the EP that was released on 29 March.  It is a real amalgamation of the sounds that have influenced her on her journey.  Since her project “Lesakeng: In the Kraal” which formed part of her recital while studying at New England Conservatory (NEC), Boston in 2021, NALEDI has found her unique voice which sets her apart from other vocalists.  It is a real amalgamation of the sounds that have had an influence in her journey as an artist.

Her second single “Areyeng” was released on 29 March

Moving from Boston to New York was a strategic move by the artist.  She was spending a lot of time in the Big Apple and needed to be closer to her musical community, her South African community and international community.  NALEDI believes the city can be a big overwhelming but is also beautiful in ways that connect with people from around the globe.  She is a firm believer that music is not only a part of storytelling, but music itself is storytelling.

This zesty vocalist and composer is now at home in the US and has survived those anxious moments including her first Christmas in Boston where the temperature dropped to -17 degrees, made her doubt if this was a place where she could survive.  NALEDI has also noticed that the American audience enjoys her music which is different to what they are used to.  BATHO will be available on all streaming platforms as well as Bandcamp.  Follow her Facebook Page Naledi.  Follow her @ledi_musiq on X and Instagram.