Sidumisile Mabena
Mkhululi Ncube
Despite refusing to be boxed in as an exclusive Rhumba artiste, Madlela continues to cement his deep affection for the infectious beat with his latest single, Sela, released on Thursday.
The track arrives with a sizzling music video shot largely in Bulawayo’s iconic Makokoba suburb, adding a strong local flavour to the fast-paced love ballad.
Known for his signature storytelling style, Madlela once again delivers a narrative-driven song, this time wrapped in vibrant Rhumba rhythms. In Sela, he tells the story of a man accused of being a thief, yet his only “crime” is stealing the breath and heart of a beautiful Margarita.
In the song, Margarita is portrayed as a woman left in limbo with children after her husband answers an ancestral calling. Madlela’s character falls head over heels in love at first sight and boldly pursues her, despite the circumstances.
Just as emotions reach boiling point, the husband returns, heightening the drama. However, Madlela’s character remains unfazed, determined in his pursuit of love, leaving the story to unfold dramatically.
What sets Madlela apart in the Rhumba space is his concise yet impactful storytelling approach. Unlike some Rhumba songs that stretch beyond 15 minutes, Sela runs for seven minutes and 49 seconds, ending precisely when the story concludes.
Within that time, he delivers everything fans expect: a hard-hitting beat, humour, drama, and compelling storytelling that leaves listeners dancing while laughing at the unfolding tale.
The production quality is polished and crisp, giving Rhumba lovers something fresh at a time when many artistes in the genre are yet to release new material.
“It’s been a while since I last gave my fans something. It’s a special song for those who love the kind of music that I do – storytelling music. I’m not in a position at the moment to say if there’ll be an album or more stuff coming. They have to enjoy this one – yikho okukhona,” said Madlela.
Beyond music, Madlela remains one of Bulawayo’s most versatile creatives. His profile spans drama, acting, radio presenting, and emceeing, making him one of the few artistes successfully commercialising his craft across multiple platforms. – @themkhust
Online Reporter