South African producer and DJ DESIREE has joined forces with South Sudanese Canadian rapper, actor, author and peace activist Emmanuel Jal on their new multilingual single, Macho, a collaboration that brings together diverse African musical traditions through a contemporary Afro house lens.
Released via Ninja Tune, the track arrives during a particularly busy period for DESIREE, whose profile continues to rise on the international electronic music circuit. The release follows a successful run of performances across Europe, including the third United Kingdom edition of her MMiNO event at Unlocked Shoreditch in London on 22 May, as well as appearances at Gala Festival, Sandbox Festival and Circoloco Ibiza.
Built around hypnotic Afro house rhythms and inspired by the call and response traditions deeply rooted in African music, Macho captures the unique energy exchanged between a DJ and the dancefloor. The collaboration brings together two artists whose careers have consistently challenged conventions while championing African creativity on the global stage.
At the heart of the song is Emmanuel Jal’s seamless use of multiple languages, including Kiswahili, Nuer, Arabic and English. The multilingual approach reflects his remarkable life journey across South Sudan, Sudan, Kenya, England and Canada, creating a rich cultural tapestry that blends naturally with DESIREE’s South African influences and distinctive production style.
Speaking about the single, Emmanuel Jal explained that the song is deeply personal and rooted in traditional expressions of love.
“This song brings together all my languages. Each one represents a part of my journey. Nuer is my mother tongue from South Sudan, Arabic comes from Sudan, and Kiswahili and English are from the countries that shaped me, including Kenya, England and Canada.”
He added that the track draws inspiration from traditional courtship customs.
“At its heart, it is a love song inspired by the way we used to express love in the village through call and response, how we would traditionally woo women. I wanted to bring that feeling into a modern Afro house sound.”
Jal also revealed that DESIREE’s artistry played a significant role in shaping the direction of the song.
“When I was creating the track, I had DESIREE in mind, not only as the muse I was singing to, but also her style of Afro house, which is so stylish and soothing. That energy really influenced the direction of the song.”
The lyrics centre on themes of attraction, longing and emotional connection, encapsulated in the phrase “Beba roho yangu”, which translates as “Take my heart with you”.
For DESIREE, Macho represents a meeting point between cultures, histories and lived experiences.
“‘Macho’ is a dialogue between two worlds that are woven together into one feeling, which is what music from lived experience does,” she said.
“The track is built on call and response, the way African music has always moved between people, and there is a finger plucked guitar riff at the heart of it that echoes West African instruments such as the kora, with percussion to match. My goal was to hold the intimacy and longing of a love song while giving it the sound a dancefloor demands.”
The result is a record that feels both deeply rooted in African musical traditions and unmistakably contemporary. More than simply a dance track, Macho celebrates cultural exchange, storytelling and human connection, demonstrating how music can bridge geographical, linguistic and cultural boundaries.
The release further strengthens DESIREE’s reputation as one of the most influential figures in the global Afro house movement. Since being named DJ Mag’s Future Star in 2023, she has built an impressive international profile through performances at major festivals and venues, including Coachella, Panorama Bar, Burning Man, DC 10 Ibiza, Hï Ibiza, fabric London, Glastonbury and DGTL.
Her work has been championed by leading music and culture publications, while appearances on BBC Radio 1’s Essential Mix, Boiler Room and Rinse FM have further cemented her standing within electronic music. Through her MMiNO platform, she has also become an important advocate for emerging South African talent and greater diversity within the music industry.
Meanwhile, Emmanuel Jal continues to be recognised as one of Africa’s most influential cultural figures. A former child soldier who transformed his life through music, he has built a globally respected career spanning music, activism, public speaking and humanitarian work.
His extensive catalogue includes collaborations with prominent figures in the Afro house and electronic music scenes, while his performances have taken him to some of the world’s most prestigious stages, including Coachella, Glastonbury, Live 8 and Nelson Mandela’s 90th Birthday Concert. Beyond music, he remains deeply committed to peacebuilding and youth empowerment initiatives through his charity, Gua Africa.
With Macho, DESIREE and Emmanuel Jal have delivered a compelling artistic statement that reflects the increasingly global nature of African electronic music. Blending personal storytelling, multilingual expression and infectious Afro house production, the single highlights the genre’s growing influence while celebrating the cultural diversity that continues to shape its evolution.
