"Osama"
Single by Zakes Bantwini & Kasango
from the album Ghetto King
ReleasedSeptember 10, 2021 (2021-09-10)
Recorded2021
Length6:49
LabelParadise Sound System
Composer(s)Bonga Ntozini
Kasmario Ike Fankis
Nana Atta
Producer(s)Bonga Ntozini
Kasmario Ike Fankis
Zakhele Madida
Zakes Bantwini singles chronology
"Your King"
(2018) 		"Osama"
(2021) 		"Mama Thula"
(2023)
Kasango singles chronology
"One Night"
(2019) 		"Osama"
(2021) 		"Dance For Me"
(2023)

"Osama" is a song by South African singer Zakes Bantwini and Kasango, released on September 10, 2021, as a lead single from Bantwini's third studio album Ghetto King.[1][2] It was produced by Bonga Ntozini, Kasmario Ike Fankis, and Zakhele Madida.[3]

The song debuted number one in South Africa, where it remained for ten weeks.[4] An official music video for "Osama" was released on December 31, 2021, directed by Darion 4K. Within 10 month's of its release, the song was certified 4× platinum in South Africa with more than 120 000 thousand units sold.[5]

Background

Zake's teased "Osama" on his mix playlist at Kunye event, released date was announced via his Twitter account which was set to be released on September 21, 2021.[6] Due to high demand from fans the song was rescheduled to September 10.[7]

Commercial performance

The song was certified 4× platinum in South Africa.[5]

Composition

"Osama" was written by Zakhele Madida, Bonga Ntozini, Nana Atta, and Kasmario Ike Fankis. The song's lyrics discuss protection, wisdom, strength, power and are sung in Glossolalia.[8]

"It is a prayer to someone, it is a spiritual thing to someone, to someone [else] it might be a love song. It's whatever you interpret it to be"; said Zakes Bantwini

Nikita Coetzee, News24, [9]

Music video

"Osama" music was released on December 31, 2021.[10] The music video was directed by Darion 4K.[11] The videos production team includes Focalistic, Riky Rick, Aubrey Qwana and Manu Worldstar.[11]

The video features South African actor John Kani appears in a brief voice on song's introduction.[10] As of February 2022, the music video has received over 1 million views on YouTube.[12]

Awards

"Osama" was nominated for Favourite Song at the 2022 DStv Mzansi Viewers Choice Awards.[13] The song won Best Collaboration and SAMRO Highest Airplay Award at the 28th South African Music Awards.[14][15]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2022 "Osama" Favourite Song Nominated
Best Collaboration Won
Highest Airplay Won

Charts

Weekly chart performance for "Osama"
Chart (2021) Peak
position
South Africa (EMA)[16] 1

Certification and sales

Region Certification Certified units/Sales
South Africa (RiSA)[5] 4× Platinum 120 000+

Personnel

"Osama" credits adapted from AllMusic.[17]

References

  1. ^ "New Music Friday: Zakes Bantwini finally releases the long-awaited summer single, Osama". GQ South Africa. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  2. ^ Maimela, Lerato. "Zakes Bantwini's 'Osama' is finally available to the public". The Citizen. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  3. ^ Gosa, Sivenathi (September 20, 2021). "Eastern Cape producer played part in Bantwini anthem 'Osama'". South Africa: Dispatch LIVE. Retrieved April 10, 2022.
  4. ^ Coetzee, Nikita. "Zakes Bantwini's Osama holds top spot on RadioMonitor airplay chart for a record-setting 10 weeks | Channel". South Africa: Channel. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
  5. ^ a b c Nkabinde, Tebogo (June 20, 2022). "Zakes Bantwini's "Osama" has gone 4 times platinum". Entertainment South Africa. Retrieved June 20, 2022.
  6. ^ Coetzee, Nikita (August 26, 2021). "Osama - the unreleased Zakes Bantwini song that has SA going wild | Channel". South Africa: Channel. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
  7. ^ Kekana, Chrizelda (September 1, 2021). "WATCH | Zakes Bantwini moves 'Osama' release date closer after global demand becomes hectic". TimesLIVE. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
  8. ^ de Wee, Naledi (October 1, 2021). "Mumbling days are over: Zakes Bantwini's 'Osama' lyrics are here! [watch]". The South African.
  9. ^ Coetzee, Nikita. "Zakes Bantwini tells us the meaning behind Osama lyrics and reveals four hidden words". South Africa: News24. Retrieved June 20, 2022.
  10. ^ a b "Zakes Bantwini drops long awaited video for "Osama"". pan-african-music.com. January 5, 2022. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
  11. ^ a b de Wee, Naledi (January 3, 2022). "Zakes Bantwini rings in the new year with 'Osama' music video [watch]". The South African. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
  12. ^ Ngenyane, Andiswa (February 2, 2022). "Zakes Bantwini's Osama Reaches 1 Million Views!". DailySUN. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  13. ^ Tsewu, Siya (April 13, 2022). "The DStv Mzansi Viewers' Choice Awards are back | Drum". South Africa: Drum. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
  14. ^ Bambelela, Patience (June 7, 2022). "Zakes Bantwini leads the pack with Sama nominations". SowetanLIVE. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  15. ^ de Wee, Naledi (August 28, 2022). "WINNERS LIST: Zakes Bantwini's 'Osama' wins big at #SAMA28". The South African. Retrieved August 30, 2022.
  16. ^ "EMA Top 10 Airplay: Week Ending 2021-12-31". Entertainment Monitoring Africa. Retrieved 2021-10-27.
  17. ^ "Osama - Zakes Bantwini, Kasango | Release Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
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