Sykes named Apple Music Up Next artist in South Africa

The announcement coincides with the release of his seven-track EP titled Most Wanted. The project, a fusion of Afro-tech, gqom and amapiano featuring, among others, Azana, Skillz and RudeBoyz, is a testament of Sykes’ versatility.

“It's a wonderful feeling to finally see the results of my hard work and dedication,” Sykes told Apple Music. “I will forever be grateful to Apple Music for this wonderful opportunity. It feels good to be #UpNext!”

As the newest Up Next artist to be spotlighted in South Africa, Sykes will be featured across Apple Music’s South African Up Next playlist. The playlist features a dynamic class of new and emerging artists, thoughtfully hand-picked by Apple Music editors from around the world. The playlist is genre-agnostic and represents a line-up of artists Apple’s global editors are passionate about and eager to expose to a larger audience.

Sykes’ career exploded when a freestyle of his then unreleased single, ‘Sisekakeni Babies’, went viral on social media. This prompted his move to Johannesburg, where he connected with Grammy Award winner Nomcebo Zikode and signed to her label Emazulwini Productions soon after.

While growing up in Durban, Sykes was more interested in musical instruments than toys, which led him to learn his first chord at the age seven and playing keyboards in a church band at age nine. The only time he seriously considered a career in music was after he appeared on Prince Kaybee’s ‘Ayabulela’.

The vast global Up Next roster of past talent includes Grammy-nominated and critically lauded talent like 6lack, Daniel Caesar, H.E.R., Greta Van Fleet, Khalid, Amy Shark, Billie Eilish, Sabrina Claudio, Sigrid, Mr Eazi, Stefflon Don, Bad Bunny, Juice WLRD, Bazzi, Jax Jones, NCT 127, Summer Walker, Tierra Whack, Dean Lewis, Pink Sweat$, Koffee, Megan Thee Stallion, Burna Boy, Clairo, Lunay, Jessie Reyez, Orville Peck, Victoria Monét, Ingrid Andress, Conan Gray, Don Toliver, Rema, BENEE, Holly Humberstone, Natanael Cano, Givēon, beabadoobee, Arlo Parks, Tate McRae, Fousheé and Tems.