AFTER a long seven months since his last album release, Kelvin Momo (real name Thato Ledwaba) released his fifth studio album, “Sewe”, on August 9.

Following the release of his song “Bala” with vocalist Sykes, fans have been awaiting the new album.

Momo said this was an album that was very special and close to his heart.

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A post shared by Thato Kelvin MomoSa (@kelvinmomo_)

On the day of the release, the album topped the charts and generated a lot of attention on social media.

Spotify announced that the album made history as it was the most streamed album of the day, receiving over 1.328 million first-day streams in South Africa.

Despite the success, fans of the producer and DJ felt “it lacks the amapiano vibes”, noting that “it’s too jazzy”.

The Soweto-born artist is one of the most significant amapiano figures who has made a big impact in mainstream music ever since the amapiano genre exploded.

He is a leading light of “private school amapiano”, a variation of the genre that employs elements of jazz, deep house, and lounge - and that is exactly what he has shown with “Sewe”.

The 30-track album showcases Momo’s signature style of blending smooth melodies with the infectious rhythms of amapiano. From the sound of the smooth jazz saxophone to upbeat melodies, it is a beautiful release that takes you on a musical journey.

Kelvin Momo. Picture: Kelvin Momo Instagram

With the album, Momo sounds like he is having fun and it’s evident in the songs and the people he has collaborated with.

Most of the songs have beautiful vocal work and harmonies, especially “Ubizo”, a song featuring Phila Dlozi and Bassie, and “Hamba Nam”, a song he worked on with CocoSA, Nvcho, and Aion.

The way Phila Dlozi layered his voice in “Ubizo” made the experience of listening to it feel almost out-of-body.

The song starts with some instrumental build-up. It talks about ancestral calling - how accepting your calling is important. The vocals are so soothing to hear. The song is perfectly balanced and sung, and the vocals are beyond amazing.

And how can we not mention “Bala”, an incredible song that speaks about finding strength for your journey by counting your blessings? “Bala” is one of the standout tracks from the album.

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A post shared by Thato Kelvin MomoSa (@kelvinmomo_)

Momo has grown his solo career to new heights over the years. His album “Kurhula” was nominated under Best Produced Album at the 2024 Metro FM Music Awards.

With “Sewe”, Momo created an album that almost every music lover would jam to this summer.

What makes the album so captivating is that it draws from different genres. While it’s not as bold as his past albums, Momo was able to curate a perfectly delightful mix of melodies, lyrics and moods.

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