Elsy Wameyo — Sulwe
On paper, Elsy Wameyo's music seems contradictory: a complex intersection of hip-hop, gospel, jazz and heavy dance elements seems unrelenting. Her debut EP "Nilotic", however, is a truly cohesive and visceral journey meandering through each of those sounds, typifying the talent and ear of Adelaide's Elsy Wameyo. In practice, Elsy can make anything work.
Born in Nairobi, Elsy performs in Swahili, Luo and English, her background providing vital context to the melting pot that makes up her sound. Her "Nilotic" journey saw Elsy and her 7-piece band drop in to Phoenix Central Park on a tour run across the country with stops at Splendour in the Grass and Lost Paradise.
One of the more buoyant and exciting performances of the year, we captured "Sulwe", a jazz-rap fusion that sees Elsy skate over rumbling dubsteppy basslines, with director Danny Draxx uniquely capturing her aura of strength and confidence. "Sulwe", or "star", is a journey of self-discovery and empowerment, ultimately recognising that "urembo hauwezi kupunguza": 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘺 𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘦𝘥.
Directed by Danny Draxx
DOP: Benjamin Ling
Producer: Josh Milch
Editor: Rob Milazzo/The Sesh
Sound Recordist / Mix Engineer: Felix Abrahams
Lighting Operator: Andre Vanderwert
Production Assistant: Max Enright
Camera Assistant: Benjamin Norris
Venue Management: Angus Hunt