By: Natasha Archary
Malehloka Hlalele, popularly known as Maleh, joined Kgomotso Meso who was standing in for Unathi this Thursday to talk about her rejoining the music scene after an extended hiatus.
The “velvet-voiced’ Maleh took some time off to focus on her marriage and family after the singer and her husband welcomed a baby in 2018. Fans will be happy to hear that the “Falling” singer is back with a brand new Afro Pop album titled “Tones of the Queen,” which will drop in October.
Maleh’s latest offering celebrates the journey women take to find alignment, realise their worth and pursue their destiny against all odds. It’s a harmonious blend of sounds and is influenced by various genres. Maleh shared with Kgomotso Meso that she’s been working with Nigerian producer Goldsmith.
“It’s been really exciting bringing two different sounds together, fusing beats from Western Africa and my influence that comes through.” – Maleh
The singer who’s been absent from the music scene for 3-years is excited to be back and can’t wait to connect with fans back on-stage once again.
Beginning her musical career back home in Lesotho, the songstress then moved to Bloemfontein where she joined Afro-Pop group Kaya whose debut album ‘Kunzima’ won them the Metro FM newcomer award in 2005.
Since then, Maleh’s 2011 debut album, ‘Step Child’ earned her 2 nods in the 2013 Metro FM Music Awards in the Best African Pop and Contemporary Jazz categories and a SAMA award in 2013 for The Best African Adult Album.
Most will remember the first single from her follow up album ‘You Make My Heart Go’ which won Maleh a 2015 SAMA award for The Best African Adult Album.
Maleh joins a killer line-up at this year’s Fête de la Musique Joburg festival which takes place on 18 September as one of the headline acts.
Listen to Maleh’s full catch-up with Kgomotso Meso here:
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