MONKyMAN – ‘Hambelela’ ft. Vaudeni – Laut & Luise
Buy link: tinyurl.com/2z6ect47
Berlin-based electronic pop alchemist MONKyMAN is ready to make a bold statement with the release of his debut album What About Love, arriving October 10th via Laut & Luise. As a powerful prelude, he’s unveiled the album’s focus track, ‘Hambelela’, a transcendent song of praise that beautifully blends organic percussion with the luminous voice of Vaudeni, singing in the Oshiwambo language, a homage to the MONKyMAN’s upbringing in Namibia. ‘Hambelela’ carries the spiritual and sonic weight of a timeless anthem. A rich tapestry of rolling Afro-inflected rhythms and glowing harmonics, the track feels less like a single and more like a ceremonial offering, one rooted in personal history, but universally resonant.
From the first note, Vaudeni’s vocals ring out like a call to awaken, reverberating through a soundscape that manages to feel both ancient and forward-looking.
MONKyMAN has performed in festivals such as AppleTree Garden Festival (Biig Piig and Bombay Bicycle Club) and Fusion Festival (ARTBAT, Monolink, and K.I.Z.). His tracks have garnered more than 3.2 million streams on Spotify over the past two years.
But MONKyMAN is more than just a genre-blender. He’s a storyteller. What About Love, the album, promises to be a deeply human exploration of self-love, truth, and transformation. Drawing from influences as varied as Sun Ra, Frank Ocean, and SAULT, his sound is lush yet grounded, exploratory yet intentional. Fans of Black Coffee, Nicolas Jaar, and Keinemusik will feel right at home.
Reflecting on the creative process, MONKyMAN shared: “‘Hambelela’ means “praise the lord” in Oshiwambo – a native Namibian language. I remember making the beat on a cold Berlin winter day in my friend’s studio. I just wanted to invite the sweet African sun and vibe into the room, so I laid down this endless chord progression I used to hear from our neighbours on the farm in Namibia. When my friend Lavinia, who lived on the farm with us back then, heard the beat – just because my little brother played it to her – she instantly sent back a voice note, singing over it. I loved it, and the next time she was in Berlin, we recorded “Hambelela” together. The groove and melody feel like home to me. It’s an ode to the youth on that farm in Namibia – may they be blessed.”
Release date: October 10th, 2025.