Edward Tsumele

Edward Tsumele

Jahseed, the ragga anchor for Afro-pop group Bongo Maffin, is going solo.

His new album, yet to be given a name, is scheduled for release next month under Bongo Maffin's label, Kalawa.

Sowetan has also learnt that Jahseed, whose real name is Anesu Mupemhi, features Thandiswa Mazwai on the new album.

In releasing a solo project, the ragga maffin man is following a trend set by fellow Bongo Maffin members Mazwai and Stoan Seate, who have already released their own solo albums.

"I am looking at doing between 15 and 18 tracks, and Thandiswa will be featured," said Jahseed.

"But the album is going to be strictly Jahseed expressing himself. It is going to be a mix of Afro-pop, African traditional music and roots ragga. It is going to be one-third each of those music styles and anything else in between."

Jahseed told Sowetan his album will deal with a number of social issues.

"I grew up listening to Bob Marley and this music is going to raise the issue of consciousness," he said.

"I believe that black economic empowerment is good, but there must also be black mental empowerment, because issues like crime have their roots in apartheid and colonialism. The album will express these beliefs."

Though Mazwai's solo career has established her as a musician of substance, Seate's career has had mixed success.

Jahseed stood out as the odd one who had not had a solo career.

"I know this is going to be a challenge because it will be Jahseed expressing himself as a solo artist and not as part of Bongo Maffin," he said.