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With the track ‘Bigger Than Us,’ Tokollo Magesh brings us a melodic-sounding project that transcends space and time in a funky funk and brilliantly constructed tune. The track’s title provides an opportunity to think and mull over existentialism-related subjects, making this work transcendental, a work larger than us.
‘Bigger Than Us’ is one of the few tracks Tokollo Magesh had been working on as part of a greater body of work before his passing. The sounds presented therein are a showcase of Tokollo’s ability to play with various sonic elements while maintaining the power of his hooks as someone best known for his songwriting ability. ‘Bigger Than us’ thus, helps sustain this status.
Magesh was known for his forward-thinking poetry, and while the song presented gives Kwaito-like vocal delivery that appears to be misplaced, with second and third listening, one realizes that single ‘Bigger Than Us’ presents a uniquely new iteration of kwaito and ‘black music as a whole.
‘Bigger Than Us’, to the long-time Tokollo Magesh fan as well as the avid music listener would find this sound a surprise, but to close family this effort is and was quite fitting to someone who always looked to honor the music and its expression in totality.
It is thus an honor to be given the opportunity to see and hear Tokollo Magesh perform in various musical locations in the final chapter of his physical manifestation. Magesh, along with his family and producer and friend Richardt Mare, has granted Warner Music Africa stewardship over the project, which will be distributed by the record label, which Magesh approached as his first option for the release of his last album, leaving it to his family to continue the legacy with this partnership.
Take it easy. Rest easy, Magesh, knowing that your project will finally reach the hearts and ears of your adoring admirers… #HonoringTokolloMagesh
The iconic Kwaito singer died two months ago as a result of an epileptic attack, and his illustrious music career spanned several decades. Kabelo Mabalane described his death as a big setback in his life.
“My life was impacted, the direction of it changed and it was never going to be the same again after I met Tokollo. Music was always the common denominator in our lives. We would fight and we would be the best of friends, but it was always music that connected us,” he said.
“Tokollo what a privilege it has, and still is to have been a passenger in a car that you drove to be a catalyst that changed lives,” he added.
Zwai Bala recently took to Instagram to pen a heartfelt message to Magesh. He admitted to being overwhelmed by his passing, “Your passing is overwhelming. To make complete sense of your being as a human would never suffice but the gravitas in you, yes the true You Mshengu, the energy is Magnificent and it is That which overwhelms me. Therefore I say ‘Do not rest my brother. Keep living. Continue making that difference with impact. I Love you. And thank you for loving me.'”
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