SA: Apple Music shines spotlight on Mthunzi

The announcement comes after the release of his Zulu-sung debut album Selimathunzi. The 16-track offering features such songs as ‘Insimbi’, ‘Ngibambe La’, ‘Vuka’, ‘Umlilo’, ‘Uyathandeka’, ‘Sayitsheni’ and ‘Yena’.

“This is one of the best things and highlights in any musician’s career,” Mthunzi said. “I am grateful to Apple Music for their continuous support to artists and it is a great honour. I hope listeners will receive and appreciate my music without limitations.”

Mthunzi, who is signed to Sun-El Musician’s El World Music label, also spoke about his journey.

“I had my first deal with a company called Mapsit but nothing important materialised until I posted a video on social media tagging Sun-El Musician,” he said. “I got a call and Sun-EL Musician invited me to his studio. We worked on a few songs where I recorded my first single ‘Vuka’ followed by ‘Insimbi’, which is a collaboration with Sun-EL Musician.”

Mthunzi’s album is a fusion of maskandi, house, Afropop and R&B. It features artists like Sun-El Musician, S-Tone, Ami Faku, Simmy, Sino Msolo and Claudio X Kenza.

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

Listen to Selimathunzi here.