Exiled

Exiled by Lehlohonolo Peega
 
Exiled is a compositional piece that is focused on the interview of the late Mkhonto we Sizwe (MK) commander Chris Hani. 
 
The gradual reverberation and increase in volume of the statement “I spent more than 27 years of in MK, I spent the best part of my life, in an arm struggle against this regime” (apartheid regime) centres this sample as the focal point of the entire composition. Presented with a Dynamic Tube - warm tube  stands as a warm and well rounded statement. 
 
The complementary voice (sample) of “I know their names, I know their faces” passed through a vocal EQ boosted on the lower frequencies and a strand of the high frequency at the expense of mid range sends messages of a dark and distant memories that continue to haunt him as the statement is repeated over and over again. The increase in reverb attempts to silence these demons but their presence and persistence is strong. As the auto pan in subtle stereo simulates the restlessness of these demons. 
 
The ever present snare and throbbing low EQ and well comprised end of the kick drum set at a sidechain with the Boffner Bass creates uneasy irregular beat that signifies the Black experience and collective memory. The abnormality of life of native forces is well captured in this component. 
 
The dizzy nature of the Fat heavy drone that jumps from one side of the stereo to the other (Auto Pan - Around the head), the child learner of 1976s and combatant of 1977, the frenzy of the state of emergency, the pernicious negotiations, sharpeville, Hani, Biko. All the craziness is represented by the drone Bass Pong which is amongst other things passed through bit reductions set differently for perfect low frequency push. 
 
Another abnormally is the singing voice track processed through heavy vocoder set at unvoiced to represent the many voices that the regime has silenced and those that remain voiceless. This injection of what can be perceived to be some sort of white noise can be thought of as some sort of melody, which is reinforced by the low ambient drone of the pulse bass. This voiceless masses grow louder and louder until you can’t ignore them no more, you have to acknowledge their presence.
 
The cathedral reverbed singing voice does not necessarily fit in at all the time, interrogating the understanding of being a foreigner in your own home. 
 
The megaphatness pad, seems to be the only sane thing about this community, moving the composition forward and giving it much meaning. This is the work of undying love, respect, brotherhood, culture and hope for a better tomorrow that keeps these Black people sane and soldiering on.
 
This is the reality of Black existence, captured in the composition Exiled.