Unlocks Sat 17 Oct
#009
Mapenzi
Recorded on 19 September 2026, 3AM
Love and conflict aren't enemies. Sometimes they're the same thing.
Free · PDF + EPUB · Sat 17 Oct
Written, produced, recorded, mixed & mastered by Azu
Cover art by Azu
Mapenzi was inspired by Halsey and Juice WRLD, two artists I looked up to while I was finding my own sound.
The song is about the illusion of love falling apart. “Hivi haya ndio mapenzi?” Is this really what love is? It's the moment you realise love and conflict live in the same house, and they were never enemies.
“Mwenzio me namiss kuchokozwa na wewe” is the bittersweet part. After everything, you still miss each other, even the fights. It reminds me of Gwen and Peter in The Amazing Spider-Man. In their last moments they were shouting at each other, but there was no doubt the shouting came from love.
Some nights the shouting is the love. This one is for those nights.
Love and conflict aren't enemies. Sometimes they're the same thing.