In the world of music, MOONGA K., a versatile artist hailing from Zambia and Botswana and now based in South Africa, has released his highly anticipated album, “GARDEN.” This album, a testament to his artistic journey, blends a wide range of genres, from futuristic funk to soul and beyond. From a young age, Moonga K. showed a deep connection to music, singing and performing, and later delving into songwriting. His inspiration was sparked by Frank Ocean’s “American Wedding” at the age of 14, drawing from his love for sci-fi and boundless creativity.
GARDEN, produced in collaboration with quietmoneymusic and FDeeZus, is a sonic exploration of self-confidence and self-discovery. It weaves together diverse musical elements and themes, from joy to love and empowerment. The album also features collaborations with fellow artists, adding depth and texture to the music. Beyond the music, Moonga K. sees his art as a platform for advocacy, especially for marginalized groups, aiming to amplify their voices and create safe spaces for their stories.
In “GARDEN,” listeners are invited on a unique sonic journey that transcends conventional genre boundaries, making it a powerful and uplifting experience. It’s a testament to the enduring impact of creativity and self-discovery in music.
MOONGA K. takes us on a track-by-track journey of GARDEN:
the revolution: I wanted to start the album with rage. Something that spoke on
not caring about fitting in the pressures of the music industry and really just not
caring about being told how to be accepted in society. ‘the revolution’ is for
the misfits who exist against the status quo with pride and resilience.
feels like: I had this idea of creating my own version of Lionel Richie’s ‘All Night
Long’ in the realm of creating an anthem folks from my generation could sing
and scream along to until we’re 80 years old. It’s a song about feeling
good and reveling in the freedom of joy.
i’m gonna make it: I wanted to send a message that through the ebbs and
flows of life, we must hold onto hope because as long as we have breath in our
lungs, we are going to be okay. It’s a mantra we should repeat to ourselves in
our highest and lowest moments.
lonely forever: This is a song that blatantly speaks on how falling in love has
been difficult for me, perhaps because of my choice of lovers, and so it’s a
public plea of wanting guidance on finding the right person, to avoid eternal
loneliness.
be mine: This song features one of my childhood friends and one of the best
voices I have ever heard, Nkosilathi. She was visiting from London and I had to
get her into the studio to record this track. It’s what I’d hope would be a
contribution to old-school ballad-y R&B, with us going back and forth pouring
our hearts on wanting to make a relationship work regardless of who is right or
wrong. We just want to let true love lead the way.
wallflower: This song speaks on my battle with depression and anxiety, and how
I’ve always felt out of place in social situations. I have found healing in expressing
this truth, but I still find myself feeling like I don’t belong, and that is such a
debilitating experience.
ritual: A complete 180 from ‘wallflower,’ ‘ritual’ is a song about loving yourself, and embracing the ways you can overcome the darkness that tends to consume us sometimes. Co-written with one of my best friends, Sio, it’s a futuristic funk track that I hope brings out the confidence in the people who listen to it.
‘wave (that’s me)’: This is a futuristic funk love song that has me confidently
telling a potential lover that the perfect match you’re looking for is here – he is me.
I wanted to end this album on a high, and what a perfect way than with a
cheeky love song.
Stream on all music platforms now: https://Platoon.lnk.to/garden-moonga-k
Connect With Moonga K
Instagram: @moongak_
Twitter/X: @moongak_
Facebook: Moonga K
TikTok: @moongak_
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