Viwo Kulati takes center stage in Braamfontein on December 3 to officially launch her EP, following the release of her afro-pop and jazz-influenced R&B-soul debut project. Viwo has a musical background that includes being a backing vocalist for the well-known South African neo-soul extraordinaire Zonke Dikana, as well as a strong educational background in jazz music. Viwo’s extended play begins with the song “Nothing Without Love”, an intro that perfectly captures the essence of this project. She stated that one of the inspirations for this project was witnessing people’s lack of love for one another.
“The whole EP is inspired by 1 Corinthians 13 which is the book of love in the bible. It is also inspired by my observation of how people need love. We often put other things on a pedestal forgetting that we are a people that need love, and we are incomplete without it. The Bible also says that everything else iyaphela [it ends] but love is eternal. In short, the EP is based on that entire scenario. The EP is however not a gospel genre but an RNB & Soul genre”, Viwo shares.
This project follows a beautiful debut single that was released three years ago, titled Chilly Breeze. In this EP, fans can expect the same breathtaking vocal, rhythm, and lyrics with songs like ‘Ungowami’, which has easily become one of her favorites. “I love it because it is entirely in IsiXhosa,” says Viwo Kulati, “and I had struggled to compose it as I struggle with writing IsiXhosa.” It is the song that helped me conquer one of my lifelong objectives and challenges”.
The debut project is a result of many experiences that continue to shape and nurture her childhood passion that began in Makhanda, a small town in the Eastern Cape where she had an opportunity to study music in high school. But it was not after meeting her producer that Viwo began to find her voice and inspiration for this EP.
Her latest offering is undoubtedly soothing and inspiring. If you have witnessed her live performances, you know they are captivating and you don’t want to miss this one!
As part of the launch, you can expect to enjoy a night of Live performances of songs from the LOVE EP at the Leano Restaurant, popularly known for good food, great music, and art – proudly supported by Concert SA, Samro, and the Norwegian Embassy.
