Rikki’s Glass

“At whatever point he transmits… we are the portal.”

thap-thap-thap-thap-thap

Rikki’s glass is not bitter. First sip and no, it’s not bitter.

It greets you with a really big smile.

A smile that bridges the gap of age with honesty and a beautifully tough love.

Anyamata anali olimba

Rikki’s glass then stirs you up a little

Reminds you of the lawlessness of the political elite

It insults the idea that we have seen the best of Zed before

Because you see the best of Zed in this glass

Anyamata anali olimba

Rikki’s  glass is no longer full

It’s honest about a time of hardships

Through it you see what would drive a musician to become a miner

Yet, you see in it what would drive a miner to become a musician

Anyamata anali olimba

Rikki’s glass is a cantankerous one

A rebellious one if I might add

I tell you mzee, this glass does not play syndicated programs

It rejects the colonial sound. It transmits instead wireless thunder.

Anyamata anali olimba

Rikki’s glass demands freedom

As you stare at it, it begs the question: how?

It shouts back and says get it done, now!

The taste of what’s in Rikki’s glass makes you spit out the word ‘permission’.

Anyamata anali olimba

Can’t you see the hairstyles through Rikki’s glass

Those fancy witchy hats, can’t you see them?

Who amongst you possesses such stylistic influence?

A picture of the minds of that beautiful Zamrock age.

Anyamata anali olimba

The ancestral echoes of that Zamrock sound through Rikki’s glass?

The shouts of the crowds, shouts in awe of the rocker’s craft.

This glass just boasts of the most hip time in the history of our nation

A time when playing live was the right expression of the life of the music

Anyamata anali olimba

Rikki’s glass does not let the throats of our ancestors stay dry

It preserves the words of all of those who have left

Ephemerally passing their knowledge through those who still traverse this big stone

Providing a supernatural care to those that are yet to be heard

Anyamata anali olimba

Rikki’s glass won’t taste the same when I drop this tear in it. It’s never salty.

This glass radiates a rare bravery to be truly human. You know what I mean?

The laughter, the guidance, the memories, the visions in this glass.

We see a time in the past, a thunderous past. It’s living again, now, and in the future.

​Tsoka la bwela, tsoka la pita

​Sangatiletse ku imba

​Anyamata anali olimba

​Ngwee ya ngena, Kwacha ya choka.

​Zachepa ziri patumba

​Anyamata anali olimba

​‘Vinyl’ ba tyola, ‘studio’ ba vala

​Anangopitiriza ndi kalimba

​Anyamata anali olimba

You can trust Rikki’s glass to translate that for you.