Amapiano Song Released To Mark 5th Anniversary Of The Death Of Music Legend Hugh Masekela. Hugh Ramapolo Masekela was a South African trumpeter, flugelhornist, cornetist, singer and composer who was described as “the father of South African jazz”. Masekela was known for his jazz compositions and for writing well-known anti-apartheid songs such as “Soweto Blues” and “Bring Him Back Home”. Masekela died on January 23 2018 after losing his battle to prostate cancer.
The single, which is a fusion of Amapiano and Soca sounds, features Caribbean singer Akinola Sennon and Masekela. Sennon, who hails from Siparia Islands in Trinidad, is a group leader of the Siparia Deltones Orchestra. The Meeting Place is part of the upcoming album titled Siparia to Soweto, which will be released on Masekela’s birthday on April 4.
Masekela’s nephew Mabusha Masekela said his uncle had visited Trinidad from 2012 to 2016, where he became fascinated by the Calypso rhythms of the island and the lilting sound of steel pan orchestras. Speaking from his Caribbean island home, Sennon said it had been a great experience to work with Masekela. He defined Masekela as a true personification of a professional artist.
“Masekela was very disciplined and committed to his craft. It is not just his musical ability that impresses you, it is what he represents as a person. He constantly restores heritage and encourages young artists to do the same. Masekela helped shift the world in many ways.
“It is one of the most important projects that we have ever done called Siparia to Soweto. Siparia is a town in southern Trinidad that has very rich legacy, heritage and culture. The Meeting Place is a geographical meeting place where we’re telling Masekela to meet us in Siparia. He is also telling us to meet him in Soweto. Apart from being a geographical meeting place, it is a philosophical meeting that speaks to restoring our great heritage and legacy as people,” Sennon said.
He said their instrument, the steel pan drum, was developed by the sons of African slaves in Trinidad. “It became our cultural identity. So, Masekela being one of the cultural icons in Africa, it was befitting to engage to encourage this cultural process to bring that awareness to Africa so that the steel pan drum has a place in Africa. In the song he is singing with Machel Montano, they are both doing lead vocals,” Sennon said.
