The coronavirus has rapidly spread across the world, with South Africa joining the top ten countries with most COVID19 cases. According to Health Minister Zweli Mkhize (on 30th September 2020) there are now over 672,572 positive cases, with the total number of deaths standing at 16,667.
All of this is occurring within the context of a global neoliberal hegemony, where public healthcare has become increasingly privatised . It is within this context that Soundz of the South (SOS), an anti-capitalist hip-hop collective, is responding with this song, ‘FOR POWER’.
‘FOR POWER’ sheds light on the various impacts of the capitalist crisis: exploitation, neoliberalism and the effects on access to quality healthcare for working class people, more especially given the ongoing impact of the COVID19 pandemic.
The song responds to South African realities: the state of the plunder of the public purse, government’s role in deepening and entrenching capitalist exploitation as well as police brutality during these days of national lock-down. The song hopes to inspire the South African working class to critically engage with this moment and organise themselves to collectively deal with the challenges they face.
About the Video:
The music video is a moving portrayal and shows the perpetual difficulties precarious workers go through to make ends meet. The story follows various characters all battling their own personal plights in the face of the virus all set in similar neighbourhoods to where Soundz Of South live in spaces like Enkanini in Khayelitsha or neighbouring areas like Hangberg in Hout Bay.
links:
VEVO:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzbFrio9rCE (live on 10/23 at 12am EST)
Tidal:
listen.tidal.com/video/157226564 (live on 10/23 at 12am across all timezones)
Apple:
music.apple.com/us/video/for-power/id1534618451?ls=1 (live on 10/23 at 12am across all timezones)
released October 23, 2020
Credits:
Verse 1- Anela Jahmena
Verse 2 – Karl Myx
Verse 3 - Millz the first
Beats by Bucks
Cover art: Ricardo Pinto Jorge
Director: Chris Kets
Producer: Amilcar Patel
Recorded by Soundz of the South at uMkhululi Freedom Station
Mixed and Mastered By: Daniel and Chris (La Plage Sound)