LET ME GROW MY WINGS
With the release of Let Me Grow My Wings, her aptly titled fifth studio album, Australia’s renowned songwoman of contemporary South Sudanese music, Ajak Kwai has established her footing firmly on the Australian music landscape. Now, she has engaged with some of Melbourne’s finest producers and musicians to bring to life an eclectic collection of twelve self-penned songs which reflect her observations, influences and connections since moving to Australia in the late nineties.
Photograpy: Will Afonzencko
A selection of songs made possible by the City of Melbourne COVID-19 Arts Grants and Creative Victoria.
3RRR 102.7 ALBUM OF THE WEEK / TUNE IN FOR A SNEAK PEAK OF THE NEW ALBUM
‘LET ME GROW MY WINGS'
TRACKS
1. Love Not Bitterness
(Performed in English)
People are afraid to love but love heals all; alternatively hatred destroys both sides
2. Let Me Grow My Wings
(Performed in English & Dinka)
Australia is a very generous country. I would like to see its generosity extended to protect my community from those who use us as a media opportunity and a political scapegoat
3. You Don't Need To Be Cool
(Performed in English & Dinka)
This message is for young people - they don't need to act as a fool in order to be cool
4. Nasalleh Baletna (Let's Build our Home)
(Performed in Arabic)
If we are united, no one can come between us; and if we put our hands and minds together we can build our home
5. Chocke Jam (Let Them Talk)
(Performed in Dinka)
If people put us down, there's nothing I can do because life plays its own game
6. No One Like You
(Performed in Dinka)
Is a song of encouragement for South Sudanese Australian men & women to see education as a way to create opportunities to build a new home while retaining their self-respect
7. In Our Hearts
(Performed in English & Bahasa Indonesia)
It doesn't matter where we come from or what colour we are, we all feel the same way
8. Let's Talk About It
(Performed in English)
We hide our feelings and when we can't hide them any more, we project them on others or on ourselves. Why not put it on the table? It's really not too bad to talk about it
9. Everyone is Watching
(Performed in Dinka)
When South Sudan gained its independence the world was watching to see just how we would manage. The leaders we put our faith in let us down. My hope is South Sudan will one day rise to be its own peaceful state
10. Abyei
(Performed in Dinka)
Although the people of Abyei have language ties to the Dinka of South Sudan, it has been a long time disputed area between North & South Sudan. South Sudan paid a high price but Abyei & South Sudanese people living near the area still suffer severely
11. Don't Make The Woman Cry
(Performed in English)
This song is dedicated to all women, inspired by a famous fashion designer who stated that
'black women are not beautiful'. We need our brothers and they need us to share the burden of life. Power of kindness is more potent and frnitfol than harming others
12. Life is a Mystery
(Performed in Dinka)
Life is like a wind; it blows one way and then the other for reasons we don't understand. Why did I end up in Australia while many of my people lost their lives? We didn't contribute to the conflict but we are here (how come we're here?)