GAE by OKAY GOD

OKAY GOD is Zito Mowa’s vocally-harmonic side, blending a cappella with some swinging drums, first introduced to us through Zito Mowa’s The Kolour Of Water.

Following his 2020 single release of PULA, OKAY GOD is releasing a body of work where he takes us through his exploration of sound rooted in African gospel sub-genres such as Clap-and-Tap and Zion Music. His debut EP, GAE — meaning home in Sepedi, builds on his artistic imprint, touching on subjects such as spirituality, love, social issues, and the sacredness in covernance of marriage, balancing the calm harmonies of a cappella music with the laidback swinging boom bap drums.

“After the great reception of PULA and GAHDAMMIT, I knew I had to release some more music, so I found myself turning all the voice recording ideas in my phone into actual songs,” says OKAY GOD, “What made these songs stand out is the unconventional blending of drums loops and layered harmonies.”

While the lilt and sway of organic harmonic layers remain at the heart of his sound, the Joburg-based-Limpopian composer applies these qualities in a variety of ways. On “GAE”, for example, he pays tribute to a legendary gospel choir Barorisi Ba Morena, which is one of OKAY GOD’s main sources of inspiration along with Samthing Soweto and Bobby McFerrin.

“I make spiritual music, I make healing music; the long harmonic gaps as intro or outros are for you to talk to God and your ancestors; you should play this in the background while praying, this sound is not religious but spiritual music,” says OKAY GOD.

*Disclaimer from OKAY GOD “you might tear up so play at your own risk”