Imbali (they/them) was born in a small township in Johannesburg, South Africa, called Soweto two years before the end of Apartheid. Imbali has been living on Coast Salish territories for 8 years and is active as a spoken-word poet and jazz singer. Imbali is influenced by old Sophiatown jazz and the late Hugh Masekela and integrates performance with myriads of traditional and ancestral sounds. Imbali's art reflects what saying "YES!" to life looks like. Their first single, 'Apocalyptic Sunset', was released in March 2023 and invited listeners to explore sacred pleasure through evocative and descriptive lyrics accompanied by a smooth and soothing saxophone.
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