South African amapiano and electronic music artist Umthakathi Kush recently made his debut appearance on TheJournalistDJ.com, offering an intimate look into his journey, creative philosophy, and what fans can expect from him in 2026.
Born and raised in Alexandra, Johannesburg, Umthakathi Kush describes himself as a product of deep artistic exploration. Before stepping fully into music, he was immersed in theatre, acting, dance, and live instrumentation, including playing guitar in a band. This multidisciplinary foundation has shaped his unique sound and performance style.
“I came out of theatre, I was an actor, I was a dancer. I’ve been a guitarist, part of a band. I just took everything and ran with it,” he shared.
The Meaning Behind the Name
During the conversation, Umthakathi Kush unpacked the meaning behind his name, which often sparks curiosity. While the word “Umthakathi” is commonly misunderstood as something negative, he reframed it as a symbol of wisdom, strategy, and cultural identity.
“It’s not a bad thing,” he explained. “It’s part of who we are as Black people — mixing elements, cooking the music, and bringing it alive.”
A Decade-Long Journey and a 2023 Breakthrough
Although his rise may feel recent to some, Umthakathi Kush has been crafting his artistry for over a decade. He identified 2023 as a defining year in his career — the year everything aligned.
That year marked the release of “Imithandazo,” a deeply spiritual and emotional collaboration with Kabza De Small, which became a major breakthrough moment for him.
The Story Behind Imithandazo
Opening up about the song, Umthakathi Kush revealed that Imithandazo was created during one of the most painful moments of his life — the loss of his mother.
“That day in the studio was very special. I had just lost my mom,” he said.
“In the song, I was talking about my mom comforting me, encouraging me.”
He described the session as one guided entirely by spirit rather than conversation.
“Me and Kabza didn’t even talk much. I just played the song and the spirit took over.”
Growing the Brand: EPs, Singles and Visibility
Since that breakthrough, Umthakathi Kush says his focus has been on building a solid, long-term brand. With projects like the Havana EP already making noise, he confirmed that more singles and releases are on the way.
“People are going to be seeing more of me this year,” he said. “We’re kickstarting.”
Working with Thuli P on Thulip EP
The artist also spoke highly about collaborating with Thuli P (Thuli Phongolo) on her latest EP, Thulip, where he features on two tracks — “Molo” and “No Need To Suffer.”
He praised Thuli P’s creativity and storytelling, noting that many of the EP’s concepts were driven by her vision.
“She’s very creative and very driven. I only knew her as an actor before, but her music side is powerful. I want people to really see that side of her.”
AI, Sound Evolution, and the Global Market
On the topic of AI in music, Umthakathi Kush took a progressive stance, encouraging artists to embrace technology without losing their humanity.
“We can’t fight AI. Let’s use it, mix it with our raw talent — but it can never be better than us.”
He also echoed sentiments shared by DJ Maphorisa about evolving sounds, stating that artists should avoid being boxed into one genre.
“We’re creatives. Music grows, it elevates. Do everything. There’s an international market we need to hit.”
What’s Next in 2026
Looking ahead, Umthakathi Kush confirmed that 2026 will be a major year. He has already dropped the “Heke” music video, with more singles, collaborations, films, and major brand deals in the pipeline.
He closed the interview by urging fans to watch out for the upcoming Havana EP, set to drop on the 23rd, complete with visualizers and a full rollout.
“It’s going to be a beautiful EP,” he said.
“Umthakathi Kush, Mr Kankai — we out.”
