This powerful fusion of synths, piano, percussion and Idd Aziz’s vocals creates the perfect soundtrack to a sizzling sunset
Leading South African afro-tech producer Shimza and Grammy-nominated British duo CamelPhat unite on ‘BADO’, a powerful, rousing new track featuring vocals from singer-songwriter Idd Aziz, out on 6th September via Helix Records.
‘BADO’ is the follow-up single to May’s ‘Parachute’ ft. Rachel Chinouriri and February’s huge Aloe Blacc collab, ‘Darling’, which is close to reaching 1.5M Spotify streams.
On ‘BADO’, Shimza’s intense afro house percussion rolls over CamelPhat’s raw electronic synths, stuttering and building, converging with emotive, cascading piano and Idd Aziz’s vocals, creating a striking blend of organic and electronic textures.
Born Ashley Raphala and hailing from Tembisa, Shimza continues to shine as one of South Africa’s top afro-tech talents, making a global impact by collaborating with the biggest names in dance music. These include Elderbrook, Aloe Blacc, CamelPhat again for their stunning track ‘Embers’ ft. Julia Church, WhoMadeWho, and NY’s house pioneer Louie Vega. Since starting his weekly ‘Kamah Kamah’ radio show at the start of the year, it has seen great success and gained 1.8 million weekly listeners. He’s also been busy bringing the party with his recognised show brand ‘Kunye’ and has seen shows in regions like Zimbabwe, Kenya, Albain, London, Ibiza – while his annual ‘One Man Show’, an outdoor event on Christmas Day that raises funds for underprivileged children, has featured top South African artists such as AKA, Cassper Nyovest, and the incredible Black Coffee.
CamelPhat need little introduction. The British electronic duo consisting of Dave Whelan and Mike Di Scala have become a powerhouse in the dance music scene. Best known for their Grammy–nominated track ‘Cola’, which peaked at #3 on the UK Dance Chart and topped Billboard‘s Dance Club Songs chart in the U.S., they’ve earned widespread acclaim. Their second album, ‘Spiritual Milk’, was released in 2023 and, with the help of huge collaborators such as Jake Bugg, London Grammar, Kölsch and Anyma, pushed the boundaries of electronic dance music, merging genres while injecting warmth and soul. It also featured Shimza’s first collaboration with the boys, a dramatic, percussive, techy track called ‘Embers’. With several Beatport chart-toppers, regular appearances in the UK charts and frequent BBC Radio 1 plays, CamelPhat continue to dominate global dance floors.
Kenyan-born ‘BADO’ vocalist Idd Aziz is a dedicated and passionate singer-songwriter, blending influences from singers Lokua Kanza, Youssou N’Dour, and Ismael Lo, who began his career at 13, touring the world by just 15. A talented multi-instrumentalist alongside singing and songwriting, Idd’s worked with artists like Angelique Kidjo and Salif Keita, performing at festivals, concerts, and events worldwide, including the FAFA 2014 Gala in Nairobi.
‘BADO’ re-affirms once again why Shimza is one of the hottest names in afro-tech and afro-house, garnering attention from huge names worldwide. He’s set for even more high-profile collaborations in the future, so be sure to stay tuned as Shimza further solidifies his place at the forefront of the global afro-tech music scene.
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