Known for her fusion of Afrosoul, jazz and classical music, Simphiwe Dana casts an eye towards West Africa on her latest album, Bamako. Influenced by her previous tours of Senegal and made with Salif Keita’s band in Mali, it’s a rhythmic meeting of musical traditions. “It’s very Afrocentric, very eccentric and extremely melodic. I think the combination of the two cultures worked out pretty well,” Dana tells Apple Music. “My other albums deal with social conditions in general and this one really delves deep into the theme of relationships and romantic heartbreak.” We get some insight into the sounds and feelings Dana shares. Usikhonzile “‘Usikhonzile’ is a socially conscious song that speaks to leadership being non-partisan and about having empathy. It’s about leaders in our lives, and not just necessarily in politics, being for all people and not just for some. It’s perhaps something, when I wrote the song, that I thought was needed in South Africa and on the whole continent for that matter.” Kumnyama “This is a ‘curtains closing’ kind of song, where you’re no longer talking to the person you were with. Now you’ve closed the door and you’re licking your wounds by yourself in the dark. You're trying to find things that will comfort you enough for you to move on.” Uzokhala “This is a very cheeky song, basically talking to a bad ex-friend. It’s more fun, ‘cause I do have a funny bone. In my private life I have to balance the heaviness of the sadness with a lightness and I’m glad that’s slowly coming across in my music.” Mama Was A Kitchen Girl “I always write a song for my mum, on every album of mine. I remember when my first album came out she was so proud and was right there in front. It’s just to appreciate her and everything she’s done for me, so I’m paying tribute to her. My mum and I have always been more like sisters than mother and daughter, ‘cause I’m her first born. I think that’s a very good relationship to have, ‘cause nothing is taboo.” Masibambaneni (feat. Salif Keita) “‘Masibambaneni’ is a song about African cohesion and unity. I am a pan-Africanist so the work that I do has to reflect that. This is the song where I featured Salif Keita. We both thought it was a very important song for Africans to be seen collaborating on. He actually honoured me by adding his most famous song (“Africa”) to mine as well.” Gwegweleza “This song is about papgeld and people that don’t pay it. It’s an epidemic in our country and we obviously commend the men that are there for their kids—not just financially but emotionally and physically as well, because raising a child is more than just about money. It’s about ensuring that we raise well-rounded individuals.” Bye Bye Naughty Baby “This is another cheeky song also in the same theme of breaking up.” Ndizamile (feat. Salif Keita) “This is totally a break-up song. It’s just giving up really, throwing in the towel… saying that you’ve tried everything. I think sad emotions give us the opportunity to write really good songs. There’s something about sadness that just appeals to people. I guess most of us live with sadness, so we like it when our feelings are validated by certain songs. I write better when I’m feeling sad because music is a form of healing.” You Keep Calling “It’s another break-up song. You keep pushing me away and when I do walk away you keep calling me back. The song itself also shows how I like that you keep calling my name and can’t get over me, but I hate that you mistreat me. It’s like, ‘That other side of you is unnecessary, just accept that you like me.’” Mkhonto “‘Mkhonto’ is very old. I actually did a mini-release of it but it was just online and not on any album. I’ve got quite a few of those, like the Winnie Mandela song I did with the symphony that’s only live. I just felt we were in a very precarious position with our struggle heroes. ‘Mkhonto’ basically refers to the political party itself and it having had a military wing. The question I was asking was, ‘Is this spear still sharp, is it still going to bring about change?’” Mr I “He was just selfish. I find a lot of men are very selfish when it comes to relationships. Selfish with their time, and they put themselves first all the time. I love having conversation and love going on dates, dinner dates especially. I love going out on a Sunday afternoon until 10 p.m. I like travelling and I like being spoilt. He wasn’t doing that enough and [he] got frustrated the more frustrated I got. I think I dote on my person and I expect a little bit of the same.” Zabalaza “‘Zabalaza’ was much earlier in the writing process. I even performed it two years ago at the Cape Town Jazz Festival in fact. People in South Africa love Amagwijo, or ‘toyi-toyi’ songs as you might put it. I think the combination of Classical and a ‘toyi-toyi’ song was something really good to do.” Bamako “I loved the communal living and eating with your hands together from the same plate there. Also, the energy was just really nice in studio. West Africans have their own indigenous string instruments so they play guitar like they play kora, which for me is truly amazing. The album was written and produced before I went to Salif and I wanted to just spice it up with some Mali flavour. We mainly added percussion like the djembe and strings from the kora just to accentuate the sound.”