Charisse C and Koek Sista release debut EP as The Ascension: Listen
The EP features the previously released singles ‘Khulula’ and ‘I Said What I Said’
Charisse C and Koek Sista have shared their self-titled debut EP as The Ascension. Check it out below.
The five-track project arrives via Brixton label Don’t Sleep, and blends a broad palette of South African electronic music, including gqom and amapiano, with harmonious vocal performances.
The Ascension – which comprises Zimbabwe-born, UK-raised DJ and producer Charisse C, and South Africa-born, US-raised interdisciplinary artist and vocalist Koek Sista – first introduced themselves earlier this year with debut single, ‘Khulula’. The dreamy amapiano cut appears on the new EP alongside second single ‘I Said What I Said’, and three other tracks.
Having connected during the pandemic, the duo bonded over a shared passion for pushing Southern African electronic music beyond its current boundaries. “Meeting Charisse was an anchor for me,” said Koek Sista (real name Ulungile Magubane). “We have a lot of similarities in how we think about life and sisterhood and art and the place of Black women in creative industries, so that foundation was always there.”
Speaking on their creative alliance, she added: “Something we talk about is trying to change the perception of what an African person is supposed to be like. There’s still very typical archetypes of how people imagine black women specifically to be... But actually strange black girls, we can do it too! And actually this is where all the sauce comes from.”
Charisse C and Koek Sista celebrated the EP announcement with a launch party in Brixton last month, featuring a live Q+A hosted by Elijah, along with a sell-out show at London’s Village Underground.
Revisit DJ Mag’s 2022 Get to Know interview with Charisse C here.
Listen to ‘The Ascension’ EP below.
