This is Randi Hacker with another Postcard from Abroad from the KU Center for East Asian Studies and the Kansas African Studies Center.

By now, most of us have heard Adele’s newest hit single “Hello” which started out at the top of the Billboard Top 100, became Adele's fourth number 1 hit and the first song ever to sell more than a million digital copies in single week. But a different version of the song is now turning heads. Here in Kenya, AfroPop singer Dela’s cover has taken the country by storm. Dela’s version is completely translated into Kiswahili. Except for the word “hello” which, by the way, is jambo. Dela’s rendition is haunting and her powerful voice packs an emotional impact that crosses language barriers as well as geographic barriers. So far, it has been picked up by CNN Africa, Harper’s Bazaar, “elle,” and even Perez Hilton. But Dela? Adele? Hello? Jambo? Does anyone else think they might be the same person?

With thanks to Mackenzie Jones for this text, from the KU Center for East Asian Studies, this is Randi Hacker. Wish you were here.