South African Afropop sensation Mthunzi has opened up about the extraordinary success of his collaborative hit, Imithandazo, with amapiano maestro Kabza De Small.
The song, featured on their joint EP Isimo, has become a cultural touchstone, garnering over 10 million streams on Spotify and an astounding 25 million views on YouTube.
Mthunzi, whose full name is Njabulo Mthunzi Ndimande, shared on how the song was created in an interview. Growing up in Hammarsdale, a small town in KwaZulu-Natal, Mthunzi was introduced to music at an early age by his mother, who recognized his talent when he was just three.
The singer-songwriter has since become a repository of South African musical traditions, blending genres such as maskandi, Afrosoul, and modern R&B into his distinctive sound.
His ability to merge the past and present is evident in his catalog, from his breakout single Ngibambe La, which incorporates elements of Woza Africa’s Istokvel, to Selimathunzi, the title track of his acclaimed 2020 debut album.
Released under Sun-El Musician’s El World Music, the album featured collaborations with Sino Msolo, Simmy, and Ami Faku, further solidifying Mthunzi’s status in the Afrosoul vanguard.
Isimo, which debuted in October 2023, marks a new chapter for Mthunzi as he delves into amapiano, South Africa’s globally celebrated house music subgenre.
The EP has achieved over 40 million streams across digital platforms, cementing its place as one of the year’s standout projects. Imithandazo, in particular, has captured the hearts of audiences worldwide, a testament to Mthunzi and Kabza De Small’s combined artistry.
