SA: MUSA shares new album ‘UHAMBO’

The Afro-pop and soul project explores themes of personal growth, relationships and lived experience, with MUSA using different sounds and moods to reflect the various stages of his journey.

“It’s a journey, it takes you wherever you want to go, because the album doesn’t sound the same,” MUSA said.

The musician described the album as a more mature phase of his career, drawing on experiences that have shaped both his music and his life.

“It’s more grown, and it tells the different journeys I’ve travelled to get to where I am now,” he said.

UHAMBO was recorded over approximately six to seven months at David Gresham Records’ Woodmead studio complex in Johannesburg. The project features collaborations with the Soweto Gospel Choir, Thapelo Esua, Lawi, Bongani and Maraza, among others.

“It was a different experience,” MUSA said. “I’ve worked with different people in terms of songwriting. Best way to explain it, it was fun.”

The album follows four previous studio projects: The Dream (2013), Mr Serious (2016), MUSA (2018) and Backroom (2022).

MUSA rose to prominence after winning the ninth season of Idols SA in 2013. He has since received a South African Traditional Music Awards (SATMA) award and nominations at the South African Music Awards and Metro FM Awards.

His catalogue includes collaborations with Ntsika Ngxanga of The Soil, Kwesta, the Jaziel Brothers and producer Lawrence Matshiza. He has also recorded music honouring late South African musicians Hugh Masekela, Tshepo Tshola and his former mentor Robbie Malinga.

David Gresham Records, where UHAMBO was recorded and released, was founded in 1970 by radio and television personality David Gresham. The company has worked with South African artists including Prime Circle, Jesse Clegg, Connell Cruise and Slikour, as well as international acts such as Janet Jackson, Nickelback and Tiësto.

With UHAMBO, MUSA continues a career spanning more than a decade, using the album to explore changes in his personal life and artistic direction.