SA: Apple Music shines spotlight on Azana in August

The announcement follows the July release of her 14-track debut album Ingoma. The album is available for streaming on various platforms and features songs such as ‘Okhokho’, ‘Egoli’, ‘Goodbye’, ‘Askies (I’m Sorry)’, ‘Ithemba’ and ‘Ngixolele’. Some of the featured artists include Sun-El Musician, Afriikan Papi, Mthunzi, S-TONE and Sino Msolo.

“I’m grateful to be one of the artists on the Apple Music New Artist Spotlight, this is not only exciting news but a great kick-start in my career as an artist,” Azana said.

Azana told local media that the album "symbolises new beginnings, love, hope and spirituality. Its different genres represent how free I can be when making music, that is why I don’t limit myself to any genre. I believe there’s a track for everyone in Ingoma and that even though it’s a song I hope the listener will not see it as just a song but as medicine for healing and happiness.”

Commenting on her songwriting process, the singer said: “It’s hard writing about something I’ve never seen around me or experienced so my thoughts and lyrics come from what I’m exposed to and what I understand from what I’m exposed to.”

Born Makhosazana in Durban, Azana began her music career at the age of 15. Before Ingoma, she released hit singles such as ‘Your Love’ and ‘Ngize Ngifike’. Her body of work portrays the vocal powers of heavyweight musicians, which include Cama Gwini, Simphiwe Dana, Letta Mbulu, Nina Simone and Erykah Badu.

Previous South African artists who have been featured on Apple Music’s New Artist Spotlight platform include Honeymoan, Mthunzi, Sino Msolo, Shasha, Ami Faku, Sio, Elizée and Malachi, Sho Madjozi, Simmy, Dope Saint Jude, Darkie Fiction, Dutchkid, Emerger and Thandi Ntuli.

Listen to Ingoma on Apple Music.