Onesimus, Liema Pantsi collaboration reaches No. 1 on South African iTunes

The album, released on 25 May, also climbed to No. 2 on Apple Music Malawi, reflecting early commercial traction in multiple markets.

Son of Grace features collaborations with artists from across the continent, including Danya Devs, JZyNO, Wave Rhyder, Chile One Mr Zambia, Kwanda, Marioo, Nutty O, Saint Realest, Ben Major and Liema Pantsi.

The project incorporates multiple languages, including Chichewa, Chinyanja, isiZulu, isiXhosa, Sesotho and Nigerian Pidgin, across Afrobeats, Afropop and 3-step-inspired production.

The single ‘Someone to Love’ emerged as one of the album's early standout tracks. The song combines softer melodic elements with 3-step rhythms and marks a collaboration between Onesimus and Liema Pantsi, whose recent public profile has grown following her appearance on reality television.

Speaking about the album, Onesimus said the project was intended to reflect different musical and cultural influences from across the continent.

“This album is about showing the full picture of modern Africa,” he said. “It’s music about love, intimacy, and relationships, but it’s also about where I come from.”

“By bringing in artists from across the region and singing in our different languages, we are celebrating a borderless culture.”

The release comes at a time when cross-border collaborations continue to play a growing role in the African music industry, with artists increasingly targeting audiences across multiple regional markets.