In April, Apple Music announced South Africa Afro-house DJ and producer, Karyendasoul (real name Bonga Ntozini), as the next Isgubhu cover star. Born in a small town in Eastern Cape called Nqamakwe, Kayrendasoul made a name for himself after being chosen by prolific house DJ and tastemaker, Kenny Dope, to feature on the Dopewax Approved compilation for Europe’s biggest electronic music conference ADE (Amsterdam Dance Event).
He used this opportunity to take Afro-house to new heights globally, while back home the release of his Imizamo EP(2021) saw the lead single “iMali feat. Zakes Bantwini & Nana Atta” featured on numerous flagship playlists, including Top 100 Songs of South Africa 2022 and Mzansi Hits.
His debut album We Live 4 Our Music (2023), available to stream on Apple Music in Spatial Audio, is a magnificently emotional 10-track record that showcases Karyendasoul’s deft production skills for crafting unique Afro-house anthems. Featuring Zakes Bantwini, Ami Faku, Msaki, Simmy, Jordan Arts and more, Kayrendasoul’s collaborations on WL4OM are all expertly shaped to form a strikingly cohesive debut.
To celebrate his feature, Kayrendasoul has also created an exclusive Isgubhu playlist which is exemplary of the bustling African dance scene that he’s so deeply passionate about. “These are some of my favourite dance tunes that I jam to on and off stage,” he tells Apple Music. “I feel the dance music scene is at its most interesting time on the continent and the music is reaching great heights globally. These are tracks I believe will best represent that. A big shout out to Apple Music for taking African Dance music to the world!”
Isgubhu’s spotlight mix this month comes from BeatsByHerZA, a platform that was created to spotlight femme alternative DJs and selectors from all over the country. BeatsByHerZA’s first Apple Music DJ Mix features selects from Sis Madlisa, Katie 2.0, Chainz, S-Girl and DJ, event curator, and creator of BBH, Liziwe “Mamthug” Kwanini.
Launched in early 2021, Isgubhu is the definitive home of African Dance and Electronic music on Apple Music and spotlights and elevates the work of African Electronic DJs, producers and creatives. Isgubhu, a Zulu word meaning beat and used to refer to a banging song, pays homage to an evergreen set of genres and the African artists who have played a pivotal role in shaping the Dance and Electronic scene across the world.
Isgubhu also houses a collection of playlists including Spotlight On–a focus on boutique labels like Soul Candi, House Afrika, Stay True Sounds and Uganda’s Hakuna Kulala & Nyege Nyege Tapes and Isgubhu Voices–a focus on the best Dance and Electronic tracks that feature vocals.
Check out Isgubhu only on Apple Music http://apple.co/Isgubhu.
