SA: Nakhane reinterprets Seal and Adamski classic Killer

The project follows a period of artistic expansion that has cemented Nakhane as one of contemporary art’s most versatile voices. The announcement comes as Nakhane’s directorial debut, B(L)IND THE SACRIFICE, continues its acclaimed festival run, having premiered at the Locarno Film Festival, Stockholm Film Festival, and most recently, the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. The film has been praised for its bold exploration of religious tension and ancestral beliefs.

“‘Killer’ has always represented a particular moment of transformation for me,” Nakhane said. “It’s a song about rebirth and consequence – themes that have followed me through my life as a musician, filmmaker, and writer. This version isn’t just a cover; it’s a conversation between past and present. It’s about honouring our ancestors, both by blood and practice.”

The release marks Nakhane’s return to recording after his critically acclaimed 2023 album, Bastard Jargon, which featured collaborations with Nile Rodgers, Perfume Genius, Shabaka Hutchings, and Moonchild Sanelly. In November 2024, Nakhane also starred as Siddhartha in The Seeker, a musical adaptation of Hermann Hesse’s novel, staged at Theatre Royal Drury Lane alongside the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

A music video accompanying Killer ’25 will further reflect Nakhane’s cinematic vision, blending their multiple artistic disciplines.

“I first started playing ‘Killer ’25’ while touring You Will Not Die, so it’s been a long time coming,” he said. “Initially, I wanted at least one song in my set that I hadn’t composed—something familiar to the audience. Over the years, people kept telling me how much they enjoyed my rendition and that I should record it. I’m slow, so although the idea first came to me almost six years ago, it wasn’t until 2024 that I began to seriously work on a recorded version.”