Chris Theko
Back with a bang is Penya Play with an offering by new artists under the stable. This week, the review is gauging the latest single by Nthabi Sings titled Pela Pelo ft Ntate Staunna, Mazda as well as Morena Sway.
The song was officially released onJanuary 17, 2022 along with the visuals to the song which were dropped on YouTube. It is an Amapiano sound with a twist of RNB.
The song runs for 4 minute 36 seconds, built on 99-Beats-Per-Minute (BPM) and laid on 100/100-time signature.
The instrumental of the track is influenced by modern day hip hop known as trap, the baselines, low tempo 90s South African house rhythms and percussions from another local subgenre of house known as Bacardi.
Though it originates in South Africa, the Amapiano genre has taken not only Africa by the storm but the whole world is taken by the frenzy of the high-pitched piano melodies which distinguish the genre.
Lesotho artist have not allowed the amapiano frenzy and it is evident with this track which involves, a hip hop artist, and two RNB singers.
A distinctive sound of drums come into play a number of times on top of the piano cord strings laced with a seldom sound of trumpet.
Vocals by Nthabi open up the first verse with a humming line followed by simple lyrics about love.
Stunna is handling just the hook backed by the high notes of Nthabi and their chemistry is soothing which makes the hook more interesting to listen to.
The second verse is sang by Mazda, not sure how he makes it into the song though trying for his first time singing, he is a bit off from the other artists and the hook.
His singing drives the attention from the song while his lyrical content is not at par with the others. Yes, he is a dancer attempting his debut in music but I think it was too soon or at least not the right song.
This is simply a song about love and affirmations of the love shared between two people. ‘Pela Pelo’ simply means close to the heart. What the hook is saying is that the love is bringing the other close to the heart.
Morena Sway’s verse wraps up the song with a melodious high notes pitch and lines that emphasise the same love being brought closer to the heart.
Though being an amapiano influseced track, Pela Pelo is actually a nice love song that can be used to express love from one person to another and its message is for every kind of relationship.
Pela Pelo rates at 7 out of 10
