Durban singer and songwriter, Rhea Blek tells the story of young, black, queer love in cheeky visuals for Amaloveback

Rhea Blek has released the visuals for her mid-tempo and Kwaito influenced 2019 single, Amaloveback. She treated the song to bold visuals and told a new age spin on the classic love story of forbidden lovers as well as not letting go of a good love. Have you checked them out yet? 

Read more: 9 Exciting & Soulful Female Voices You Should Check Out

Amaloveback, a kasi slang term for rekindling an old love. It is about never letting go of a good love that changed your life and asking whether that flame could still burn again. In Amaloveback, Rhea Black sings about a love that is free of any reservations and misgivings. And in the song she describes a love that is free of shame.

“Awu phiti phiti bhota/ I’m feeling you a lot hey
You’re like the summertime weather, I hate when you go away
But I love what you giving, I promise to stay
And I’m your girl. With some love to throw your way”, she sings. 

The visuals for Amaloveback are just as cheeky and audacious as the message for the song. Rhea Blek takes us on a journey of same-sex lovers who seem perfect for each other. They love spending time together, are affectionate when they are alone but can’t fully express their love in public because of the negative public opinion about their relationship. They break up briefly but get back together because being apart doesn’t make much sense.

Read more: #AltTuesdays: Desire Marea Is Exceptionally Otherworldly In Debut Album, “Desire”

The story on Amaloveback is reflective of a society that is often rejected 

There are so many stories about the strife of coming out, the devastation that it can wreak on relationships with family and the community and the pain of living within the margins. There should not be any reason for anyone to suffer because of their gender or sexuality.

But while those are important narratives to engage with — to peel apart so we can better understand the way the world works — the struggle shouldn’t always be the story. Instead, the story should be about love and reflecting a common reality which is often rejected. This is the essence of what Amaloveback captures; we are here for this! 

Check out the music video below and let us know what you think! 

Featured image by Trevor Stuurman