Umlilo celebrates femme power in queer VR 360 music video
Umlilo is known for breaking boundaries in music, fashion, and visual art Future Kwaai Records, an avant-garde label founded by South African artist Umlilo, has unveiled what’s said to be Africa’s first queer Virtual Reality 360 music video. The animated music and visual art project, titled Bhuti, is directed and edited by Umlilo herself and celebrates the power of the divine feminine. “We are in a crisis in South Africa and the world where femme bodies have been heavily policed, violated, erased, and sexualised.
This music video is a celebration of femme power and freedom for all femmes, trans and non-binary people,” ,” says Umlilo. “As a trans woman, I feel that my freedom is your freedom, no matter how you identify because we all want autonomy over our bodies and the choice of how we express our gender.” Never shying away from topics of gender, sexuality, violence, and politics, Umlilo’s new song is a fresh and unique take on an old traditional song.
The artist is known for breaking boundaries in music, fashion, and visual art. She has challenged herself to learn animation and VR production in order to give the music an accompanying immersive experience.
She created a 3D version of herself named Umlilo X, who is at the centre of the visuals for her upcoming album Mpumi. “During the lockdown, there was a moment where I wasn’t inspired musically and I turned to animation, 3D design, and VR for some new inspiration.
