# Voice of Lele Releasing Upbeat New Version of Melanesian Classic E MAMBO

Source: https://musicwire.popfiltr.com/news/voice-of-lele-melanesian-classic-e-mambo
Published: 2025-05-15T00:00:00.000Z
Author: Permission PR
Language: en

> Leading West Papuan singer-songwriter, Voice of Lele, is set to release a song close to her heart – a reimagined version of the traditional Melanesian song E MAMBO.

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## Voice of Lele Releasing Upbeat New Version of Melanesian Classic E MAMBO

![Voice of Lele, E Mambo, single cover art](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65a3048ccef61ea07d403e99/6833985b9fe12a683791927e_VOL-EM-Artwork-WithoutText.jpg)

Leading West Papuan singer-songwriter, Voice of Lele, is set to release a song close to her heart – a reimagined version of the traditional Melanesian song E MAMBO.

![Voice of Lele, press kit may 2025](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65a3048ccef61ea07d403e99/683397ceb33146129bf54f06_voice-of-lele-press-kit-may-2025.jpeg)

*Voice of Lele*

To be released on Friday 16th May 2025, E MAMBO was written by the late Arnold Ap, a West Papuan activist, cultural leader, anthropologist and musician who advocated for cultural identity. The legacy of Ap, and music from the band he founded, Mambesak, are still popular in West Papua today.

Sung in South Papua dialect, Lele who is based in Melbourne, says the time-honoured, classic tune was the first song she learnt to perform as a young cultural performer has a special place in her heart.

> “It’s got an uplifting beat which just makes you want to dance and sing along to the colourful harmonies,” she says. “When I toured in the band Black Sistaz which I formed with my sisters Petra and Rosa, we used to open our shows with this song and it’s a real crowd pleaser.”

E MAMBO is about two brothers who go missing in the jungles of West Papua. “Like many of our traditional songs there’s a deeper meaning behind that,” explains Lele. “It basically conveys that across West Papua we are essentially a lost people yearning for self-determination due to conflict with the ruling government. However, it’s ultimately a joyful song celebrating the freedom we hope to one day achieve.”

## About

Voice of Lele is remarkable - a refugee, singer, proud West Papuan woman, and mother of four daughters. She is also a passionate advocate for refugee women in Australia and a dedicated decolonisation activist. Originally part of Black Sistaz, Lele later left the group to forge her solo career, releasing her debut single *Island Proud*, follow-up single *Jow Manfun* and *Amazing Grace* in 2024. In January 2025 she released duet *My Island Home* with singer Mitch Tambo which reached the top of the charts, as well as solo versions. Lele has performed at Carols By Candlelight, the Australian Open, All Cultural Fest, the Prime Minister’s Olympic Dinner, and the Dunggula Cultural Festival. Married to fellow World Music Star Mitch Tambo, the couple share four daughters between them.

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