Apple Music today announced soulful SA singer-songwriter Msaki (real name Asanda Lusaseni Mvana), as its latest Isgubhu cover star.
“I’m extremely honoured to be able to curate this playlist for Apple Music’s Isgubhu. I can totally call myself a fan of house music from when I was in high school. I’ll be sharing many throwbacks and my excitement to be a part of where the future of electronic music is going. And also just as a spectator that’s watching the sounds, I’m becoming known for evolving around the world,”
she tells Apple Music.
Born and raised in the Eastern Cape, Msaki creates songs that combine soulful folk with symphonic movements, and her deeply soulful vocal and lyrics communicate profound messages as she sings of love and loss, and home and hope.
Known as an accomplished acoustic folk guitarist, Msaki is equally as comfortable taking centre stage on some of SA’s biggest house tracks like “Fetch Your Life” with Prince Kaybee, “Ubomi Abumanga” and “Chasing Summer” with Sun-El Musician, as well as “Sizophelelaphi” with Oskido. In anticipation of her two-album release, Platinumb heart Open and Platinumb Heart Beating, on 19 November, Msaki has been very open about her decision to release a double album that reflects the duality of her musical career, and speaks to both of her audiences.
Msaki has also created an exclusive Isgubhu playlist that features tracks that are exemplary of South Africa’s undeniable excellence in house music.
“South African house music holds an interesting place in the world, historically and now with the new wave. The songs I’ve chosen are South African house songs. Some are classics like ‘Be My Friend’ and ‘Set Your Mind Free’ and some are songs that are really cool in the EDM space now like Diplo’s ‘Promises’. I really connected with the sound of Kenya: The Gondwana boys. And then it’s my usual favourites, the DJ’s I like to work with here in SA that I’ve formed relationships with and some of my songs,”
she explains.
