Desiree & Emmanuel Jal Deliver ‘Macho’ – South African producer and DJ DESIREE joins forces with South Sudanese-Canadian rapper, actor, author and peace activist Emmanuel Jal. This, for their brand-new mult-lingual single, “Macho”, released via Ninja Tune. The release follows a standout night as DESIREE brought her MMiNO event to London for its third UK instalment on May 22nd at Unlocked Shoreditch, alongside other performances at London’s Gala festival, Sandbox Festival, and Circoloco Ibiza.
Driven by hypnotic Afro-house rhythms and rooted in the call-and-response traditions of African music, “Macho” captures the dynamic exchange between a DJ and the dancefloor. The track unites two boundary-pushing pan-African artists whose careers have been defined by defying expectations. Now, their worlds collide in a collaboration that feels both organic, global, and excitingly unexpected.
Emmanuel effortlessly weaves together four languages, including Kiswahili, Nuer, Arabic and English, reflecting a life lived across South Sudan, Sudan, Kenya, England and Canada. The result is a powerful cultural fusion, blending his global journey with DESIREE’s roots in Ivory Park and South Africa’s thriving club scene. Together, they explore what happens when distinct histories and experiences converge through music.
Emmanuel speaks about ‘Macho’
“This song brings together all my languages. Kiswahili, Nuer, English, and Arabic. Each one represents a part of my journey. Nuer is my mother tongue from South Sudan, where I was born. Arabic comes from Sudan, and Kiswahili and English are from the countries that shaped me. Kenya, England, and Canada. At its heart, it’s 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 Afrohouse sound.
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 Afrohouse. Stylish and soothing. That energy really influenced the direction of the song. Lyrically, it’s very simple and honest. It’s about that moment of connection. ‘You caught my eye, I love the whole of you. You’ve taken my heart and I want you to carry it with you.’ When I say ‘BEBA, Bebah roho yangu,’ it means ‘My HEART. Take my heart with you.’ It’s that feeling of craving someone day and night.”
DESIREE speaks about ‘Macho’
“Macho’ is a dialogue between two worlds that are weaved together into one feeling, which is what music from lived experience does. The track is built on call and response, the way African music has always moved between people, and there’s a finger-plucked guitar riff at the heart of it that echoes West African instruments like 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.”
With “Macho”, DESIREE and Emmanuel Jal have created more than just a dance record. They have crafted a celebration of cultural exchange, storytelling and connection. ‘Macho’ blends rich musical traditions with contemporary Afro-house production. The track showcases the power of music and how it can transcend borders. As both artists continue to expand the global reach of African electronic music, “Macho” stands as a testament to the genre’s ability to unite people on dancefloors around the world.
