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South African singer, songwriter, and producer Una Rams opens his heart like never before with the release of his debut album meet me at the altar. A powerful, personal, and poetic body of work that captures a once-in-a-lifetime season: preparing for marriage, stepping into manhood, and choosing love in every direction.
What began as a simple idea; a wedding playlist, soon blossomed into a full-fledged, genre-bending album that fuses Afro-fusion, soul, R&B, and the textures of Una’s Venda heritage. meet me at the altar became a place to preserve not only emotions, but memory. Not only moments, but meaning.
“This is the first time I’ve been able to write about my life in real time,” Una shares. “Instead of reflecting on the past, I wanted to honour what was happening as it happened. This is an album dedicated to my now-wife, but it’s also a celebration of tradition, family, and faith. I want these songs to live on—not just for us, but for generations.”
There’s a sacred intentionality that weaves through every track. From the gentle intimacy of “nguwe” to the joyous rhythms of “takala,” the album moves like a wedding ceremony in motion: slow dances, speeches, family moments, laughter, vulnerability. It’s not rushed. It’s not polished for perfection. It’s crafted to be real.
Leading the way is “tshinakaho”, an explosive cultural anthem that’s already swept across Limpopo and beyond. With vibrant production and a message rooted in pride and purpose, the song has become a wedding favourite across Venda communities. Played during traditional ceremonies and celebrations, it’s been embraced as a joyful declaration of love and heritage.
“Seeing tshinakaho played at weddings, with people dancing in traditional regalia, has been one of the proudest moments of my life,” Una says. “That song isn’t just mine anymore—it belongs to the people. And that’s what this whole album is about. Creating music that feels communal. That reminds us who we are and what we come from.”
While recording meet me at the altar, Una found himself immersed in cultural research and family traditions, learning the deeper meanings behind rites, customs, and ceremonies that shaped his own wedding journey. That learning didn’t just stay in the room, it made it into the music.
“I wanted to distil tradition into sound,” he explains. “To make a kind of sonic museum, something that reminds and teaches at the same time. This album isn’t just for now. I hope it becomes the soundtrack to people’s love lives for years to come.”
From whispered prayers to dance floor declarations, meet me at the altar is about the spaces where we make promises. The places where we stand up for love; softly, boldly, unshakeably. Whether it’s a vow in front of a crowd or a quiet decision in the middle of an ordinary day, this album honours it all.
It is, in every way, a debut grounded in truth. One that signals not just the arrival of an artist but the emergence of a man ready to build legacy through sound.
meet me at the altar is available on all major streaming platforms.
