One of the many reasons I love my parenting platform for is the very special networking created during these past 8 years…I met some amazing people from expectant to seasoned parents. I met experts from different fields related one way or another to parenting, I met artists, I read or listened to their work, I watched my favourite creators grow…
Here’s one of those artists who managed to make a difference in their creative field and while I’m listening to her song ‘Boys can cry’ – probably my favourite track of hers, I’ll leave you with a few words on her work and what led her to the creation of this beautiful and educational album I’m currently listening to on repeat…My children, too!
Music and nursery rhymes play an integral part in early childhood development, by exposing children to different cultures, traditions, and languages. This Africa Month, which is celebrated globally throughout May, South African recording artist Zu., has parents covered with the launch of her latest EP, titled ‘Zithande’. A soundtrack of uplifting, authentically African songs, her music aims to teach children to embrace their identity and heritage. You can stream or download it here: https://platoon.lnk.to/zithande
“Home is a complicated concept, especially for African people, who are scattered across the world. One way that we can travel back quickly and easily is through music, through songs that capture our history, traditions, and values. Providing African families with music that sounds like home, helps children build a strong connection to their heritage – even if they’re living in the U.K.,” says Zu.
The overall message and objective of the EP ties in with a larger cultural trend towards inclusivity and representation in media. With tracks like ‘Beautiful Black Boys’ and ‘Boys Can Cry’, the Zithande EP aims to affirm children and encourage a positive relationship with their own feelings and identity, by validating and celebrating who they are. The title of the EP itself is a Nguni word meaning ‘love yourself’.
“This EP is a mother’s prayer for the children of Africa. Music is an essential part of our culture. By introducing authentically African songs to children at a young age, we can help them to develop a positive sense of identity, pride, self-confidence, and self-acceptance,” says Zu., who dedicated the EP to her two sons.
The soundtrack also includes songs sung in Zulu, namely ‘Umzimba Wami’ (My Body) and ‘Ngane Ze Africa’ (Children of Africa), building on the authentic musical experience and exposing young listeners to new and diverse sounds. This can also play a role in developing children’s language skills and promoting awareness around the differences that exist between people around them.
“In a way, this is a response to the encroaching Westernisation of lullabies and music in general. If all kids across the world listening to the same music, from the same TV shows or Western artists, they lose out on the opportunity to immerse themselves in different cultures, which is crucial in today’s world. The EP is not just for Africans, it’s for any family who wants to teach their children about the diversity of the world, and the importance of loving yourself,” says Denzyl Feigelson, CEO at music distribution company Platoon, who worked alongside Zu. on the EP release.
‘Zithande’ is out now and available to stream or download on all major listening platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music and more. The EP is the first of many children’s releases set to come out via Platoon this year, following on from last year’s successful release of two African Lullabies projects which featured music from artists such as Ami Faku, Msaki, TRESOR, Azana, Teni, Simi, Ayra Starr, Asa, and WurlD, to name a few. For more information about upcoming releases, visit platoon.ai.
Connect with Suns of Zu.:
Facebook: @ZuMakesMusic
Twitter: @ZuMakesMusic
Instagram: @zumakesmusic @sunsofzu._
Connect with Platoon:
Facebook: @weareplatoon
While this here is a sponsored article, all opinions are mine. It’s one of those few beautiful projects I’m happy to have chosen me. It’s the same creator’s vibe you’ll find on Instagram where I’ll be share more about Zu, in my own words as I usually do 🙂
Twitter: @weareplatoon
Instagram: @weareplatoon
