"My African Dream" is the new single from Hawaiian singer Luke Beling. Until he was 19, he grew up in South Africa, and this beautiful country still holds a special place in his heart.
That's why his new EP is a tribute to South Africa, and his two previous singles "Mzansi Afrika" and "Madiba" were an incredible mix of Zulu and indie folk.
Back to more folk roots for this final single, which reconnects the singer-songwriter with his real self. Even if African choirs hide in the song, we are in a much more acoustic universe with a lighter production. But still so detailed: if you pay attention, you will hear some sounds of African nights at the very beginning and at the end of the song.
More than South Africa, this song mainly focuses on Lesotho. Over 80% of the country is 5,900 feet above sea level, making it one of the most mountainous countries in the world...and also one of the most beautiful. We often hear about South Africa, but a little less about Lesotho, which is actually a country landlocked as an enclave in South Africa. Man has been able to adapt to live on rugged terrain, and nature is much more inspiring there than anywhere else. Africa in general, underexposed in the media, suffers from a somewhat cliché image of landscapes burnt and yellowed by the sun. Just type "Lesotho landscape" into Google and you will be amazed by the incredible green vegetation and dizzying waterfalls of this little paradise.
That's when you become aware of each line of the song and everything becomes more magical. The poetry of Luke Beling mixes these pretty landscapes with his childhood memories. Yes, of course, the song is both full of nostalgia and hope. Luke's writing is truly impressive and very descriptive: just close your eyes and you're in Lesotho.
The artist is our big crush this year, scoring 3 points in barely 3 months. His creativity fascinates us! Even the title of this song "My African Dream" is a bit of a nod to the traditional "American Dream" of which the artist is a part. A discreet way to put things in their place and remember that the United States is not the center of the world and that there are also beautiful things on other continents.
If we add to that the melody which is itself imbued with nostalgia and beauty, this new song by Luke Beling ticks all the boxes. Even if we don't have his memories, because they belong to him, we recognize ourselves in this song. Because we all come from somewhere.
Reach out to Luke Beling
