Johannesburg – 5 EK'SENI (5AM) is the first single from Abantu's inaugural recording camp, featuring 10 African artists in the British Diaspora, handpicked by Charisse C herself, supported by Baltic Studio’s and Nando’s.
Produced by longtime collaborator, Kwamzy, this 3-Step Dance record mixes English, Zulu and Shona lyrics to tell an infectious story about the hedonistic pleasures of a ladies night out: “It’s 5am in the morning, tiri mugomba (we are the bottom of the night), asifun’ukulala emakhaya (we don’t want to sleep at home)."
"In an era of Dance music where the mash-up and the ghost producer have become King and integrity often comes second; the focus was on original music, true stories, real experimentation and exploration, developing identity in artistry and making good music.” - Charisse C
This first single from the Abantu founder’s upcoming “ABANTU MEANS PEOPLE” EP, makes yet another mark for the cultural trailblazer Charisse C, who holds a powerful presence in dance music with her label and event series Abantu; insistent on boundary pushing artistry rooted in Southern Africa, presented with a high level of care and quality.
“I hosted this recording camp at Baltic Studios in East London in October 2024, I’ve been working towards bringing together the artists whose music I’ve supported for years through my DJ sets and radio shows, for a long time. Through this project, not only does my own growth as a singer-songwriter-producer shine, but also my ear for talent, my A&Ring skills and my unwavering dedication to building community and culture with a people-first ethos." - Charisse C
The multi-faceted powerhouse is a DJ, artist, singer-songwriter, and label founder. Abantu is now not only an record label and event seeies but a community. Rooted in her Zimbabwean and South African heritage, raised in the UK, Charisse C'd taste is curious, soulful and bass heavy, with a playful and intentional demeanour.
Previously a Music Journalist, she describes herself as both a vessel and storyteller. Charisse C’s live performances and curated events are all part of an ever-evolving expression of chosen mediums.
Described by Mixmag as “building bridges between continents” with her "spiritual storytelling” and fluid amapiano sets and coined the “authority on the genre” by Benji B. The multifaceted tastemaker has played a wide and eclectic span of shows internationally; selling out her own night ‘Abantu’ at Village Underground twice. Charisse C’s mixes can be found on Boiler Room, Radio 1, BBC Radio 6, BBC 1Xtra, NTS, Rinse FM and No Signal.
Enjoyed reading this news report? Support Greedysouth by buying the team a cup of coffee. Your support assists in the production of such quality reports. Thank you.