Meet Zee Nxumalo, a Rising South African Vocalist to Watch in 2024

Rising South African vocalist Zee Nxumalo. Photo/IOL

By Teresa Wairimu

South African music industry has been graced by the emergence of Zee Nxumalo, a rising star whose powerful vocals and captivating presence have propelled her to instant fame.

Since making her mainstream debut earlier this year with the hit single "Pholile," featuring Azana and Mlindo The Vocalist, Nxumalo has solidified her position as one of the country's top new female vocalists.

Her journey to stardom continued with back-to-back hit features on Zulu Mkhathini and Bandros' tracks "Shay'moto" and "Nguwe," showcasing her versatility and musical prowess.

However, it is her most recent collaboration with DBN Gogo and Shakes & Les on "Funk 55" that has truly set the music world abuzz.

Released in late November, the song has already amassed over 3 million streams across various platforms, earning it the status of the summer anthem.

In an exclusive interview with SaMusicMag, Nxumalo attributed her success to consistency, emphasizing the importance of being present in every aspect of her musical journey.

"It's not always about making hits or big songs; it's about consistency. Always being there at the studio sessions, photoshoots, promotional opportunities, and everywhere else I'm needed," she explained.

Sharing the behind-the-scenes story of "Funk 55," she revealed the spontaneous and divine nature of its creation.

"Songs like this feel like they come directly from God. Just like with 'Nguwe,' I didn't write the song; it was a freestyle. Funny thing is 'Funk 55' came when the Uber was waiting for me. We had requested, and I was like, 'Les, let me record something quickly before I head out.' So I did one take, and then I was done,” she says.

Nxumalo is gearing up for an even more exciting 2024. With new music in the pipeline, she expressed anticipation for the growth of her brand.

"I feel like we've been cooking these pots, and it's now time to dish and serve the people. I'm looking forward to enjoying the fruits of my labor in 2024," Zee shared with enthusiasm.

Taking a step back to trace her journey, she burst onto the scene as a 19-year-old sensation in 2022 with her debut EP, "KwaNxumalo."

The EP garnered over 500K streams within a month, earning her features and interviews on prominent platforms like Morning Live, Massive Music, The Morning Show, The Sowetan, and IOL.

Building on this success, she released "KwaNxumalo Deluxe" and a music video for the lead single "Pholile 2.0," which quickly reached 500K views on YouTube and charted in the top 20 across MTV Base, Channel O, and Trace.

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