Creative, DJ, SAMA nominee and culture trailblazer Lelowhatsgood drops a new single titled Ba Ko
Kae, a high-energy collaboration with producer and artist Espacio Dios. The track marks the first taste of his forthcoming EP Rebirth Is Necessary, arriving in February 2026, which promises to challenge expectations, shift cultural boundaries, and set the tone for a new era. Known for defying genres and curating inclusive cultural spaces, Lelowhatsgood brings something entirely fresh to the Gqom sphere with Ba Ko Kae.

While Gqom has traditionally leaned on isiZulu and isiXhosa, this single features vocals sung and chanted in Bantu languages – Sesotho and Setswana, giving the track a striking new voice. The result – a sound that pushes beyond the familiar, infusing Gqom’s signature energy with a different cadence and emotional texture. The accompanying cover art showcases a disruption – fragments seemingly pulling away from, then reassembling into, something in query. That visual metaphor mirrors the sonic ambition – disjointed pieces of sound intertwining to create a bold song. For Lelowhatsgood, the single is a declaration of intent for what’s to come with Rebirth Is Necessary.

When speaking about this new song release, Lelowhatsgood says – “Ba Ko Kae feels like the beginning
of something I’ve been building for years – a space where my world, my identity and my sound can collide and become something new. I’m proud to be giving Gqom a new language, a new breath, and I can’t wait to see how people receive it.”

For those who’ve followed Lelo’s journey – from his work as a writer and cultural curator, to his nights
behind the decks at events like Boiler Room and AFROPUNK; Ba Ko Kae signals a crucial next step – not
just music, but a reclamation of space, identity, and art. As a creative committed to visibility and genre-
bending expression, this release is a moment of affirmation. Stream the new track HERE