Rihanna 'to collaborate' with SA musician

Plans for a collaboration between the two artists were apparently prompted by Mkhize’s rendition of Rihanna’s 2012 super hit ‘Diamonds’. Mkhize's version, titled 'Shine Bright Like a Diamond', went viral last year. It is sung in Zulu and features typical maskandi instrumentation.

Local media reported that Rihanna’s team had contacted Mkhize after seeing a video of him performing in Istanbul, Turkey.

"This is a big thing for South Africa and for maskandi as a whole," Mbuzeni told The Sowetan. "Rihanna could have chosen any person to work with her. But she chose me out of hundreds of maskandi artists. For that, I am honoured and humbled. I thank my ancestors for the gift."

However, Rihanna has not shared the news on social media.

Listen to Mkhize's ‘Shine Bright Like a Diamond' below: