MOONGA K. Is All About Owning His Power In New Album 'GARDEN'

Today, MOONGA K. releases his 8-track album titled ‘Garden’, September 29. 

This is the Zambian-born and Botswana-raised singer-songwriter’s second studio album. It encompasses a diverse blend of Futuristic Funk, Jazz, Pop, Soul, Grunge, Afrobeat, Latin, Hip-Hop and Electronic elements. 

“I was going through emotions in the past year and just trying to find myself, trying to understand the music industry and just trying to own my power and that’s what I really wanted to talk about in the album and the album cover signifies that, I wanted something bold in a statement that showed that I know who I am and I love who I am and no one is ever going to try and change that,” says MOONGA K.

Speaking on the album and why he chose the the title ‘GARDEN’ this is what MOONGA K. had to say:

“I like the idea of personifying the different parts of ourselves and how we can turn to those parts, the joys, the pains, the struggles of life and find some sense of healing and growth. Make ourselves beautiful and manifest the life we want for ourselves, which is full of life, joy and abundance, one enjoying that with the people that we love.“

Produced by quietmoneymusic and FDeeZus, the album features a collaboration with childhood friend, Nkosilathi, and background vocals from artists, Sio and Amarafleur.

“One of my best friends, they don’t know that one of their voices is on the project, and they’re about to find out tomorrow. These are voice notes they’ve sent me in the past couple of months and they felt fitting so every time I finished the songs it felt like I remembered to add those voice notes and thought it would be cool to end with that. The first song, ‘the evolution’ is actually a voice note that I sent to my mom,” MOONGA K. said during the album’s listening session held at Jazzworx FM yesterday. 

Below MOONGA K. breaks down the album song by song: 

‘the revolution’

“I wanted to start the album with rage. Something that spoke on not caring about fitting in the pressures of the music industry and really just not caring about being told how to be accepted in society. ‘the revolution’ is for the misfits who exist against the status quo with pride and resilience.”

‘feels like’

“I had this idea of creating my own version of Lionel Richie’s ‘All Night Long’ in the realm of creating an anthem folks from my generation could sing and scream along to until we’re 80 years old. It’s a song about feeling good and reveling in the freedom of joy.”

‘i’m gonna make it’ 

“I wanted to send a message that through the ebbs and flows of life, we must hold onto hope because as long as we have breath in our lungs, we are going to be okay. It’s a mantra we should repeat to ourselves in our highest and lowest moments.”

‘lonely forever’ 

“This is a song that blatantly speaks on how falling in love has been difficult for me, perhaps because of my choice of lovers, and so it’s a public plea of wanting guidance on finding the right person, to avoid eternal loneliness.”

 ‘be mine’ 

“This song features one of my childhood friends and one of the best voices I have ever heard, Nkosilathi. She was visiting from London and I had to get her into the studio to record this track. It’s what I’d hope would be a contribution to old-school ballad-y R&B, with us going back and forth pouring our hearts on wanting to make a relationship work regardless of who is right or wrong. We just want to let true love lead the way.”

‘wallflower’ 

“This song speaks on my battle with depression and anxiety, and how I’ve always felt out of place in social situations. I have found healing in expressing this truth, but I still find myself feeling like I don’t belong, and that is such a debilitating experience.”

‘ritual’

“A complete 180 from ‘wallflower,’ ‘ritual’ is a song about loving yourself, and embracing the ways you can overcome the darkness that tends to consume us sometimes. Co-written with one of my best friends, Sio, it’s a futuristic funk track that I hope brings out the confidence in the people who listen to it.”

‘wave (that’s me)’

“This is a futuristic funk love song that has me confidently telling a potential lover that the perfect match you’re looking for is here – he is me. I wanted to end this album on a high, and what a perfect way than with a cheeky love song.”

Stream to ‘GRADEN’ by MOONGA K. below: