Track of the Week "Loving You" is a staple for any fan of South African house music. This track balances the longing in Lady X’s voice with beats that unleash an undeniable desire to move. There's a touch of Etta James in Lady X’s vocals over Uhuru’s infectious percussives. The award-winning group that brought us the infectious “Khona” featuring Mafikizolo is still at it, with the tell-tale dynamism they have become known for. The production work is as we've come to expect from Uhuru, and Lady X's voice invites us to listen in on a great collaboration amongst the talented artists of Kalawa Jazmee Records. The track has African elements, the signature drums of Black Motion and the sultry voice that marries dance and rhythm for a notable club banger.
We asked Lady X about the song’s conception. “The track came out of a studio session,” she says. “Uhuru member Mapiano had an instrumental he had worked on and started playing it. I started free styling to it and that's how the song happened!"
The song ended up in the hands of Maphorisa (another Uhuru member) who played around with it but he felt it needed an extra flair. That’s when he sent it to Black Motion, who then mixed it the way only Black Motion can. After that the song went live… and it’s getting airplay further afield – in Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Nigeria.
"It’s also getting a lot of love from some US radio shows that play house music and alternative sounds,” reports Lady X.
Hailing from Port Elizabeth, Xolisa Mvula – better known by her stage name Lady X – has made a name for herself as a singer and on-air presenter with a resonating, rich and powerful voice. Since performing at Poetry Delight in 2008, she has appeared on platforms powered by Drum magazine, Amstel Lager and eTV's Club 808, even going so far as opening for American soul star Goapele. In 2011 she gained further recognition when she was featured on DJ Micks' remix of “Xivumba,” which fast became one of the highest rotating songs on youth and urban radio stations. In 2012 she began recording with Tshepo Sekele, a bassist, producer and Ebony Music Record label head who has produced Gold and Platinum-status works for artists such as Lira, Unathi and Nothende. Now working full-time with the Kalawa Jazmee family, Lady X has discovered a new sound that is showcased on her new single “Loving You”.
