A Cultural Milestone for African Artists in the UK
Charisse C, founder of the influential Abantu label and event series, has officially released “5 EK’SENI (5AM)” — the first single from Abantu’s inaugural recording camp. This milestone project brought together 10 handpicked African artists from the British Diaspora for a collaborative studio experience, hosted at Baltic Studios and supported by Nando’s.
A Dance Anthem Rooted in Southern Africa
Produced by Charisse C’s longtime collaborator Kwamzy, “5 EK’SENI” is a 3-Step Dance track that blends English, Zulu, and Shona to paint a vivid picture of a ladies night out that rolls into the early morning. Lyrics like “It’s 5am in the morning, tiri mugomba (we are the bottom of the night), asifun’ukulala emakhaya (we don’t want to sleep at home)” capture the track’s carefree and hedonistic spirit.
Part of the Upcoming EP: “ABANTU MEANS PEOPLE”
The single marks the first release from Charisse C’s anticipated EP ABANTU MEANS PEOPLE, continuing her mission to platform boundary-pushing dance music deeply rooted in Southern African culture and delivered with premium artistic care.
Behind the Vision: Integrity, Identity & Community
Speaking about the recording camp held in East London in October 2024, Charisse C emphasized the importance of originality, integrity, and artist development:
“I’ve been working towards bringing together the artists whose music I’ve supported for years through my DJ sets and radio shows, for a long time. Through this project, not only does my own growth as a singer-songwriter-producer shine, but also my ear for talent, my A&Ring skills and my unwavering dedication to building community and culture with a people-first ethos.”
Championing Authentic Dance Music
In contrast to today’s trend-driven dance music landscape, Charisse C’s approach insists on real experimentation, identity-driven artistry, and collaborative excellence. “5 EK’SENI” is more than a party anthem — it’s a cultural declaration and the beginning of a new chapter for Abantu.
