I hit the water

by Lollise

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12-inch, 33 RPM, full color sleeve and labels, it’s a beauty to behold!
Please note - vinyl tracklist is as follows:

Side A:

A1 Khukhwane
A2 Bridge To Nowhere
A3 Semang Mang
A4 eDube
A5 iKalanga

Side B:

B1 Iron Woman
B2 Modimo
B3 Mme Mma Ndi
B4 Simon Says
B5 It's Me

Includes unlimited streaming of I hit the water via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
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1.	Khukhwane 01:07	lyrics	buy track
(Setswana) Khukhwane yele ya morobe we (that spotted beetle) Khukhwane yele ya morobe we Ke rile ka re ke itshela metsi ya re kolombu (when I poured water on it it dove/drowned) Ke rile ka re ke itshela metsi ya re kolombu Khukhwane yele ya morobe we Khukhwane yele ya morobe we Ke rile ka re ke itshela metsi ya re kolombu Ke rile ka re ke itshela metsi ya re kolombu
2.	Moshe 05:40		buy track
3.	Bridge To Nowhere 04:16	lyrics	buy track
Do you wanna see this Do you wanna see this Do you wanna see this Do you wanna see this Do you wanna see this Do you wanna see this Do you wanna see this Play out (see this) Play out (see this) Play out (see this) Play out (see this) I know you can take a seat While you ignore your heartbeat Maybe you have figured out You’ve learned to live, to be untrue Untrue, untrue, untrue To be untrue Untrue, untrue, untrue, untrue Living so used to To the pain of yesterday Exhuming sins that you conjured Past present and future Who do you want instead Whispering in your head? Who do you want instead Whispering in your head? Who do you want instead Whispering in your head? In your head, in your head In your head, in your head Me, I’m running and I don’t care I’ll build a bridge to nowhere You come or you can stay there I built this, I built this Me, I’m running and I don’t care I’ll build a bridge to nowhere You come or you can stay there I built this path for me Me, I’m running and I don’t care I’ll build a bridge to nowhere You come or you can stay there I built this path for me Do you do you do you do you do you do you See this, Do you see this, Do you see this, Do you see this, Do you see this Do you do you do you
4.	Blue Skies 04:06	lyrics	buy track
(English/Kalanga) The sky is blue The water is true The leaves are green They want to be seen I want this to be true I want this to be true I wanna hold on to it An unending summit My body submits To the pulse of the heat Setting mountains free Floating with them to freedom Rise from your disguise Rise from your disguise Rise from your disguise Ndo tola, Koi ndo tola (I’ve come to get it) Ndo tola, Koi ndo tola Ndo tola, Koi ndo tola Ndo tola, Koi ndo tola Wrap me in your umbili’ cord Wrap me in your umbili’ umbili’ Taken from the waters Dropped into the sea My soul is empty Give me water of life Change your mind, change your heart Hold, hold, hold onto this Hold, hold, hold onto this Hold onto this and don’t let go Don’t let go, let go The moon and the stars tuck you in at night They hide the secrets that you held inside Inside, inside, inside your heart Inside, inside, inside your heart Inside, inside, inside your heart Inside, inside, inside your heart Rise from your disguise Rise from your disguise Rise from your disguise Rise from your disguise Ndo tola, Koi ndo tola (I’ve come to get it) Ndo tola, Koi ndo tola Ndo tola, Koi ndo tola Ndo tola, Koi ndo tola Ndo tola, Koi ndo tola Ndo tola, Koi ndo tola Ndo tola, Koi ndo tola Ndo tola, Koi ndo tola Ndo tola, Koi ndo tola Ndo tola, Koi ndo tola Ndo tola, Koi ndo tola Ndo tola, Koi ndo tola Ndo tola, Koi ndo tola Ndo tola, Koi ndo tola Ndo tola, Koi ndo tola Ndo tola, Koi ndo tola Ndo tola, Koi ndo tola Praying and feasting Fasting With meeting with you oh Lord
5.	Paradise 03:28	lyrics	buy track
(English/Kalanga) Sitting on the veranda Waiting on the rain to come Aunty comes to greet Mama, “Dumilani” “Dumilani” “Ma gwa?” “Ta gwa” “Ma buyani” “Ma buyani” “Ta pinda,” Pindani” “Dumilani” “Dumilani” “Ma gwa?” “Ta gwa” “Ma buyani” “Ma buyani” “Ta pinda” “Pindani” Lolli lala lalela lelu lela lila, Ma buyani, Ma buyani, Ma bu Ma buyani, Ma buyani, Ma bu, Ma bu Lolli lala lalela lelu lela lila, Ma buyani, Ma buyani, Ma bu Ma buyani, Ma buyani, Ma bu, Ma bu Ma buyani, Ma buyani, Ma bu Ma buyani, Ma buyani, Ma bu, Ma bu Hidden deep, in our veins Energy you can hear Dun dun che loud and clear Dumilani “Dumilani” “Ma gwa?” “Ta gwa” “Ma buyani” “Ma buyani” “Ta pinda,” “Pindani” “Dumilani” “Dumilani” “Ma gwa?” “Ta gwa” “Ma buyani” “Ma buyani” “Ta pinda” “Pindani” “Dumilani” Sing me a lullaby So I can sleep easy Take me to paradise I want to touch Ida Sing me a lullaby So I can sleep easy Take me to paradise I want to touch Ida Lolli lala lalela lelu lela lila, Ma buyani, Ma buyani, Ma bu Ma buyani, Ma buyani, Ma bu, Ma bu Lolli lala lalela lelu lela lila, Ma buyani, Ma buyani, Ma bu Ma buyani, Ma buyani, Ma bu Ma buyani, Ma buyani, Ma bu Ma buyani, Ma buyani, Ma bu Ma buyani, Ma buyani, Ma bu Ma buyani, Ma buyani, Ma bu Ma buyani, Ma buyani, Ma bu Ma buyani, Ma buyani, Ma bu, Ma bu
6.	Moloi 01:28	lyrics	buy track
(Setswana) Stoki Stoki, Ngwana wa matsale (Stoki, Stoki cousin, child of my inlaws) O nkisa kae, lapeng la maago? (where are you taking me, your mother’s home?) Maago wa lôa (Your mother is a witch) Lôa ka eng? (What are her tools?) Ka tshiri tshiri (The tshiri tshiri) Setlhare sa baloyi (The tree of witches) Stoki Stoki, Ngwana wa matsale O nkisa kae, lapeng la maago? Maago wa lôa Lôa ka eng? Ka tshiri tshiri Setlhare sa baloyi Setlhare sa baloyi Setlhare sa baloyi Setlhare sa baloyi
7.	eDube 04:46	lyrics	buy track
(English/Kalanga) I pray, I pray The lord, the lord My soul, my soul to keep On this day, the 24th of May I mold myself, to be the way that I feel I come, I go, my land remember me On Monday, I’ll be the age when you left I yearned for you I searched through their tales You were great, self made But at home you were filled with rage Pray to stones, plastic roses Tate, remember me Tate mo yenda ngai? (Father, where are you going?) Mme no sala nani? (Who will mother be left with?) Nyoka dzo kwiba, Tja wa sia (Snakes are stealing what you left) Tate mo yenda ngai? (Father, where are you going?) Mme no sala nani? (Who will mother be left with?) Zwithu dzo nyelela, dza wa ti pa (The things you have left us with are disappearing) Tate mo yenda ngai? Mme no sala nani? Nyoka dzo kwiba, Tja wa sia Tate mo yenda ngai? Mme no sala nani? Zwithu dzo nyelela, dza wa ti pa Wuku ya muka (The hen awakes) Ino zwi gagamula (She dusts herself off) Wuku ya muka Ino zwi gagamula Wuku ya muka Ino zwi gagamula Wuku ya muka Ino zwi gagamula Wuku ya muka Ino zwi gagamula Tate, Tate, Tate (Father, father, father) Tate mo yenda ngai? Mme no sala nani? Nyoka dzo kwiba, Tja wa sia Tate mo yenda ngai? Mme no sala nani? Zwithu dzo nyelela, dza wa ti pa Tate mo yenda ngai? Mme no sala nani? Nyoka dzo kwiba, Tja wa sia Tate mo yenda ngai? Mme no sala nani? Zwithu dzo nyelela, dza wa ti pa Tate mo yenda ngai? Mme no sala nani? Nyoka dzo kwiba, Tja wa sia Tate mo yenda ngai? Mme no sala nani? Zwithu dzo nyelela, dza wa ti pa Iwe iwe iwe, iwe (you, you, you, you) Iwe iwe iwe, iwe Iwe iwe iwe, iwe Zana katara Loboko iwe (You, play that guitar, Loboko!) Iwe iwe iwe, iwe Iwe iwe iwe, iwe Iwe iwe iwe, iwe Loba dumba dumbu iwe (You, hit that drum hard!) Iwe iwe iwe, iwe Iwe iwe iwe, iwe Iwe iwe iwe, iwe Zana katara Loboko iwe Iwe iwe iwe, iwe Iwe iwe iwe, iwe Iwe iwe iwe, iwe Loba dumba dumbu iwe Iwe iwe iwe, iwe Iwe iwe iwe, iwe Iwe iwe iwe, iwe Zana katara Loboko iwe
8.	Semang mang 05:51	lyrics	buy track
Head to toe decked out in the latest Bag in tow, Lolli show them them you made it Mazaza machesa mekwanya habana tjauna ngwanana mangwana hahaha, (sunglasses, chucks, heels, they won’t ever have what you have, haha) Flip on them Shut them up Make them drool Swerve on them Cancel them Grade them F Strut on them Let them talk Bright them cause they probably don’t have power Do you love me now? Did I win the crown? Can I get invited to the party Sunday? (Yes, yes, yes!) Do you love me now? Did I win the crown? Can I get invited? Get the party started (Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!) Do you love me? Did I make it? Paid to get it Do I make you proud? (Yes, yes, yes!) Do you love me? Did I make it? Paid to get it Do I make you proud? (Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!) Mama says “Hold yourself, don’t you spill out” Aunty says “What is this, where’s the weave on?” Semang mang, forendi, the neighbor, polisi, (So and so, the friend, the neighbor, the police) “Where is my gift? Let me look in your suitcase!” Flip on them Shut them up Make them drool Swerve on them Cancel them Grade them F Strut on them Let them talk Do you love me now? Did I win the crown? Can I get invited to the party Sunday? (Yes, yes, yes!) Do you love me now? Did I win the crown? Can I get invited? Get the party started (Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!) Do you love me? Did I make it? Paid to get it Do I make you proud? (Yes, yes, yes!) Do you love me? Did I make it? Paid to get it Do I make you proud? (Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!) “Oh my god, Oh my gosh! Everybody, Lolli’s here, oh my gosh, we’ve been waiting for you! Oh, you know how we weren’t really friends when we were growing up? I love you now, like you’re my best friend, like for real!” Do you love me? Semang mang Do you want me? Do ya, do ya, do ya, do ya? Am I dripping cold ice? Do you like my style? Do ya, do ya, do ya, do ya? Am I too loud I’ll take it down Semang mang Do ya, do ya, do ya? Do you love me? Semang mang Do you want me? Do ya, do ya, do ya, do ya? Am I dripping cold ice? Do you like my style? Do ya, do ya, do ya, do ya? Am I too loud I’ll take it down Semang mang Do ya, do ya, do ya? Semang mang Do ya, do ya, do ya? Semang mang Do ya, do ya, do ya? Semang mang Do ya, do ya, do ya? Semang mang Do ya, do ya, do ya? Semang mang Do ya, do ya, do ya?
9.	iKalanga 03:40	lyrics	buy track
(Kalanga) Ba ti ndi mbe ne (They said I should sing) Ba ti ndi mbe ne Ba ti ndi mbe ne Ba ti ndi mbe ne Ba ti ndi mbe neiKalanga (They said I should sing in Kalanga) Ba ti ndi mbe neiKalanga Ba ti ndi mbe neiKalanga Ba ti ndi mbe neiKalanga Ba ti ndi mbe neiKalanga Ba ti ndi mbe neiKalanga Ba ti ndi mbe neiKalanga Ba ti ndi mbe neiKalanga Gala pasi, letja ku gohela (Let’s convene and stop making assumptions) Matjilo edu a to fanana (Our lives are different) A nto ku ziba (I don’t know you) Ndi ko ti ganana (We’ve just met) Akuna nthu wa ka lulama (There are no good people) To zwagwa, to tjila to fa (We are born, we live and we die) To thama dzaka yipa (We do bad things) To thama dzaka lulama (We do good things) Ne ti singa gake ku kutana (Even if we don’t intend on hurting each other) Ba ti ndi mbe ne Ba ti ndi mbe ne Ba ti ndi mbe neiKalanga Ba ti ndi mbe neiKalanga Ba ti ndi mbe neiKalanga Ba ti ndi mbe neiKalanga Ba ti ndi mbe neiKalanga Ba ti ndi mbe neiKalanga Bukalanga ndi ko kanyi kwedu (Bukalanga is where I’m from) Bukalanga ndi ko kanyi kwedu Bukalanga ndi ko kanyi kwedu Bukalanga ndi ko kanyi kwedu Bukalanga ndi ko kanyi kwedu Bukalanga ndi ko kanyi kwedu Bukalanga ndi ko kanyi kwedu Bukalanga ndi ko kanyi kwedu No ti, ba ti, too ti, ma ti (You said, they said, we said, you all said) Lulimi langu laka mandana (My tongue got stuck) Matama a mila, nda ka a kangangwa (My words got lost, I forgot them) Mekumbulo a no ndi nyepela (My mind lied to me) Moyana wangu u no zwi ziba (But I can trust my heart) A u to nyepa, ku ndili, ku ndili (It doesn’t lie to me) Pangwe mangwana (Maybe tomorrow) A ti gangana (When we cross paths) To lebesana (We’ll talk to each other?) Mangwanana, Masikati, Madekwana, To pindana (In the morning, the afternoon or the evening, we’ll cross paths) Mangwanana, Masikati, Madekwana, To pindana Tjithu itjetje tja nda piwa (This thing that is bestowed on me) Nde tjangu tjose (Is mine and mine alone) Tjithu itjetje tja nda piwa Nde tjangu tjose Tjithu itjetje tja nda piwa Nde tjangu tjose Tjithu itjetje tja nda piwa Nde tjangu tjose
10.	Iron Woman 04:59	lyrics	buy track
I still have my period Does that keep me valid? A child might poke out That means I am unbroken Iron in my veins evaporate I bleed the river Jordan I’ve been poked, I’ve been scrutinized Bleed, bleed, bleed, fall, ambulance Bleed, bleed, bleed, fall, ambulance Bleed, bleed, bleed, fall, ambulance Bleed, bleed, bleed, fall, ambulance Phallic science Celebrity doctors Scalpel slingers Pill pushers Phallic science Celebrity doctors Wellness hocus Pill pushers I still have a period No matter, no matter what you say, you say Random, phantom still the same Womb in landfill scenario Black women are the sufferers Medical violence and silence Wombless woman untimely ripped Bleed, bleed, bleed, fall, ambulance Bleed, bleed, bleed, fall, ambulance Bleed, bleed, bleed, fall, ambulance Bleed, bleed, bleed, fall, ambulance Phallic science Celebrity doctors Scalpel slingers Pill pushers Phallic science, aren’t I a human? Celebrity doctors, fame never saved a soul Wellness hocus, ain’t I still a woman though? Pill pushers, money is the god of criminals Phallic science, aren’t I a human? Celebrity doctors, fame never saved a soul Wellness hocus, ain’t I still a woman though? Pill pushers, money is the god of criminals Phallic science, aren’t I a human? Celebrity doctors, fame never saved a soul Wellness hocus, ain’t I still a woman though? Pill pushers, money is the god of criminals Phallic science, aren’t I a human? Celebrity doctors, fame never saved a soul Wellness hocus, ain’t I still a woman though? Pill pushers, money is the god of criminals
11.	Work 04:35	info	buy track
12.	Modimo 01:52	lyrics	buy track
(Setswana) Modimo, re baka wena (God we praise you) Modimo, re baka wena Tshotlhe, tshotlhe (All things, all things) Tshotlhe di entswa ke wena (All things are orchestrated by you) Modimo, re baka wena (God we praise you) Modimo, re baka wena Tshotlhe, tshotlhe Tshotlhe di entswa ke wena Modimo, re baka wena Modimo, re baka wena Modimo, re baka wena Modimo, re baka wena
13.	Mme Mma Ndi 05:39	lyrics	buy track
(Kalanga) Mma ka ndi dia maitseo (You taught me how to be polite) Mma ka ndi pa bhutu (You taught me ubuntu) Mma ka ndi dia bukamu (You have taught me about family) Ndo mu boka dumbu, dumbu (I thank you) Mma ka ndi dia maitseo Mma ka ndi pa bhutu Mma ka ndi dia bukamu Ndo mu boka dumbu Mme ma ndi mu budze (Mother, let me tell you) A nte dili nthu uwoya (I’m not that person anymore) Makole majinji a pinda (Many years have gone by) Ma ndi tuma kule (You sent me far away) Nda bona hango (I’ve seen the world) Nda hangana ne bezwitjabatjaba (I’ve met with people from all over the world) Ndo mu tja (I still fear you) Bugale gwenyu gwe ntolo, nde gwe shumba (You were fierce, like a lion) Ndo gaka mu budza malebeswa (I want to tell you the truth) A nto haka ku mu gwadzisa (but I don’t want to hurt) Ngono, ma ndi mu budze (But let me tell you this) A ntja yenda ku tshipi (I no longer attend church) Ndi tja mu da (I still love you) Ndi tja nda ndzimu (I still love God) Mma ka ndi dia maitseo (You taught me how to be polite) Mma ka ndi pa bhutu (You taught me ubuntu) Mma ka ndi dia bukamu (You have taught me about family) Ndo mu boka dumbu, dumbu (I thank you) Mma ka ndi dia maitseo Mma ka ndi pa bhutu Mma ka ndi dia bukamu Ndo mu boka dumbu Mme ma ndi mu budze (Mother, let me tell you) A nte dili nthu uwoya/wa ntolo (I’m not that person anymore) Makole majinji a pinda (Many years have gone by) Ma ndi tuma kule (You sent me far away) Nda bona hango (I’ve seen the world) Nda hangana ne bezwitjabatjaba (I’ve met with people from all over the world) Ha nda gwadziswa kwazo ne bathu, ndo so tukana (When people hurt me, I sometimes swear at them) Kuna bathu ba no ti, “Ngwana uwoya, hana buthu” (There are people out there who say, “Your child doesn’t have any manners”) Tjiambalo tjangu tje kumbukutja Koga koga ndi zwitambana (My bathing suit is nothing but a bunch of strings) Ndo ngwa busukwa, kudzibara, kudzipoto kene muNzi (I drink alcohol at the bar, at shebeens and at home) Ha ndi na mathatha ku tata nlume, Ha ndi singa tjanšake (I’ll kick a man out if I don’t want him anymore) Ndi tja mu da (I still love you) Ndi tja nda ndzimu (I still love God) Mma ka ndi dia maitseo (You taught me how to be polite) Mma ka ndi pa bhutu (You taught me ubuntu) Mma ka ndi dia bukamu (You have taught me about family) Ndo mu boka dumbu, dumbu (I thank you) Mma ka ndi dia maitseo Mma ka ndi pa bhutu Mma ka ndi dia bukamu Ndo mu boka dumbu Mma ka ndi dia maitseo Mma ka ndi pa bhutu Mma ka ndi dia bukamu Ndo mu boka dumbu, dumbu
14.	Simon Says 03:09	lyrics	buy track
The world revolves around my head Go ‘head forward with time, the wings it flies Flies swarm his face Phase one of three The lines are drawn You here This mine Mines deep Long, long live the king King, king, king, kin, kin, kin The kin are near and far borders keep us apart The kin are near and far borders keep us apart The kin are near and far borders keep us apart The kin are near and far borders keep us apart The kin are near and far borders keep us apart The kin are near and far borders keep us apart The kin are near and far borders keep us apart The kin are near and far borders keep us apart The mountain views are peer reviewed 3 out of 5, 4 natives stayed to be your guide 1 ticket left Scale up the ruins 360 views Authentic local food “Off to your left you’ll see the old habitat preserved Duty free culture 50% off Offset carbon emissions with purchase” “Is that the click language?” The kin are near and far borders keep us apart The kin are near and far borders keep us apart The kin are near and far borders keep us apart The kin are near and far borders keep us apart
15.	Sananapo 01:25	lyrics	buy track
(Setswana) Sananapo, Sananapo Sananapo, Sananapo Ba mmolaile, Sananapo (They killed Sananpo) Ba mpha lesapo, Sananapo (They gave me Sananapo’s bone to eat) Sapo ka gana, Sananapo (I refused the bone, Sananapo) Ga ke je motho, Sananapo (I don’t eat human, Sananpo) Ga ke je mong wa me, Sananapo (especially when they are my owner’s bones, Sananpo) Sananapo, Sananapo Sananapo, Sananapo Ba mmolaile, Sananapo Ba mpha lesapo, Sananapo Sapo ka gana, Sananapo Ga ke je motho, Sananapo Ga ke je mong wa me, Sananapo
16.	It's Me 06:12	lyrics	buy track
Waking fever swirling deceiving And I’m swimming in this pool of blood of my own And I’m hoping to receive the touch of my own Take it slowly While you wake You’re not lonely Let go of me Let go of me Let go of me Take over me Take over me Take over me On and on and on and On and on and on and On and on and on and On and on and on and Hold on to this life don’t let it go Where you where you where you where you running? Can you try crawl to me and hold my hand And take me where, where, where And take me near Release me, this isn’t gonna last forever This isn’t gonna last forever But life goes on and on Life goes on and on On and on and on and On and on and on and On and on and on and On and on and on and You’re on my body (On and on and on and On and on and on and) You’re on my case (On and on and on and On and on and on and ) As if I chose it (On and on and on and On and on and on and) Now I’m burdened by it (On and on and on and On and on and on and) They say, you is me and me is you cause we live in the same space But why do you fight me so hard I can’t remember to breathe What if you look inside you find the enemy, the enemy Disguised with all the sympathies, the sympathies You’re your own little fox And you’re gnawing up your socks You made your own hell now you’re sitting in it You try to escape but it’s hard ain’t it The answer’s in the picture But the picture’s on a fixture That you can’t reach On and on and on and On and on and on and On and on and on and On and on and on and You’re on my body (On and on and on and On and on and on and) You’re on my case (On and on and on and On and on and on and ) As if I chose it (On and on and on and On and on and on and) Now I’m burdened by it (On and on and on and On and on and on and, You’re on my body) The answer’s in the picture But the picture’s on a fixture (On and on and on and On and on and on and You’re on my case On and on and on and On and on and on and) The answer’s in the picture But the picture’s on a fixture (On and on and on and) The answer’s in the picture But the picture’s on a fixture (On and on and on and) The answer’s in the picture But the picture’s on a fixture That you can’t reach

about

Lollise's debut album is her most personal work yet: a spiritual time-travel to the Botswana of her childhood, an incantation, a reclamation and a declaration of self. Childhood play-songs appear as dream-like interludes throughout the album, bridging the gap between the present and the past. This album is Lollise’s undertaking to repossess stolen land, reclaim her identity and find truth in coded stories; song by song, she is building a spiritual home that cannot be plundered. “I hit the water” comes from a Setswana riddle: “I hit Mpipi and Mpipi refused to break. Who or what is Mpipi?” Mpipi is water or mud.

Lollise's music is as multi-layered as her identity, moving elegantly through lineages and textures which grow richer with each listen. The songs on this album – sung in English, Setswana and Kalanga – display the scope of Lollise’s artist vision, with broad stylistic references including Kalanga and Setswana folk music on the deep ballad “Mme mma ndi” and the short vignettes that weave throughout the album (“Khukhwane,” “Sananapo,” “Moloi,” “Modimo”); South African bubblegum and kwaito (prominent on “Simon Says”); pan-African influences from Xitsonga traditional music (“Semang mang,” “iKalanga”) to highlife and soukous (“eDube”). Only Lollise could write the singular drum ‘n bass meets punk-jazz of “Iron Woman,” the genre-smashing Afro-futurist/new wave of “iKalanga” and the deep spiritual trance of “Blue Skies” and “Bridge to Nowhere.” The album is rounded out with a nostalgic R&B touch on “Paradise” and the introspective closer “It’s Me.”

I hit the water is more than an album, it is Lollise’s unique sonic footprint, her living documentation of language, culture and family history. This music is completely, specifically hers, and it is unlike anything anyone else is making right now.

Bio:

After many years of recording and touring with Underground System and the FELA! band, Lollise now shares her own bold Afro-futurist pop sound, rich with layers of kinetic, danceable percussion and gentle waves of ambient noise. Lollise is a multi-disciplinary artist from Francistown, Botswana, based in NYC. Using sound, color and movement, Lollise tells stories in real and imagined worlds that are multidimensional and nuanced, historical and futuristic. She performs with a potent energy and commitment to the music, in body and in spirit.

Lollise emigrated to the US to study chemistry; after college she worked in a spinal cord injury lab in Philadelphia, left science to become a handbag designer in New York, and then joined a band. While refining her craft on tour with other projects in Europe, Nigeria and the US, she began writing her own music, developing her vision and voice.
She released her debut singles with captivating DIY music videos during the lockdown of 2020, then released two EPs – Looking At You (2020) and Unborn (2022) – before completing her forthcoming debut full-length I hit the water, coming September 6th via Switch Hit Records. She also co-wrote and featured on the Delasi song “Learn from Adversity” (Brownswood Recordings, 2024).

Lollise creates hybrid songs for this moment, taking influence from the music she grew up with – Setswana and Kalanga folk songs, '80s and '90s South African electronic bubblegum and kwaito, Congolese soukous and Zimbabwean sungura – and the music she has been exposed to in New York, including Afrobeat, new wave, and art-pop.

Lollise has performed extensively in New York, from DIY community spaces to arts institutions including Public Records, BAM, Little Island Festival, Sultan Room, Elsewhere, Brooklyn Museum and Symphony Space. She will perform at Celebrate Brooklyn July 13th, 2024, opening for Seun Kuti. Her music has been featured on Okay Africa, Bandcamp Daily and New Sounds with John Schaefer on WNYC radio.

credits

released September 6, 2024

All songs by Lollise Mbi and Morgan Greenstreet
All songs co-produced by Lollise & Morgan and engineered by Morgan Greenstreet except “Mme Mma Ndi,” co-produced and engineered by Nikhil P. Yerawadekar with additional engineering by Dima Kay. Additional production on “It’s Me” by Elenna Canlas. Backing vocal engineering on “Khukhwane,” “Simon Says,” “Sananapo” and “It’s Me” by Gabriel Cyr.
Mixed by Mark Yoshizumi
Mastered by Jessica Thompson
Artwork by Alicia Coleman
Baby Lollise photo by Christopher Gulubane
All other photos by Tiffany Smith

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about

Lollise New York, New York

Lollise is a musician, visual artist and fashion designer from Botswana, currently living in NYC. Using sound, color and movement, Lollise tells stories of real and imagined worlds, multidimensional and nuanced, historical and futuristic.

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