Premiere: Moonchild Sanelly Takes A Psychedelic Inward Voyage On “Bashiri”
Written by SOURCE on June 25, 2020
South African musician and dancer Moonchild Sanelly is already well known on her home turf for her larger than life personality and a sound that while influenced by gqom, is still worlds apart from it. It should come as no surprise then that given such unique output she’s become an increasingly sought-after collaborator — the likes of Damon Albarn, Beyoncé and Wizkid have all queued up to work with her in the past.
Her new single, “Bashiri” is probably the most potent example of her creativity yet, combining the galloping rhythms of gqom, but adding a full-bodied rave sound beneath her hypnotic vocals. Backed by a psychedelic, kaleidoscopic visual, the Johannesburg artist tells a tale warning of the snake oil salesmen that often hide behind faith to take advantage of people. Although not the usual subject matter for such a club-ready track, it’s another reason why she’s becoming so widely tipped around the world.
“‘Bashiri’ is a song inspired by a woman’s testimony in a church where the pastor is treated like a god whilst monetising religion. People pay for ‘miracle oil’ whilst the pastor lands at the service in a helicopter, being treated like God himself despite taking money from his congregation.
“This song is from the perspective of a Bashiri disciple whose husband was cheating. In the song, this woman is lamenting her relationship and takes her husband to her pastor, who promises that he can perform a miracle to make her husband faithful — which is ridiculous because infidelity is not solved through prayer and tithing.”
