Award-winning Amapiano star Young Stunna has released his latest single, “Balinde,” featuring Blxckie, offering another glimpse into the deeply personal direction of his forthcoming sophomore album, BUSISIWE.
The collaboration brings together two of South Africa’s most recognisable young voices, with Young Stunna leaning into his melodic storytelling while Blxckie adds his versatile vocal approach to a record centred on love, patience, responsibility and commitment.
Young Stunna and Blxckie connect on ‘Balinde’
Built around emotive production and heartfelt writing, “Balinde” finds Young Stunna continuing to expand his musical world beyond the dancefloor.
The record follows the success of his debut album, NOTUMATO, and a run of major collaborations that have helped establish him as one of the prominent voices of his generation.
However, his upcoming album BUSISIWE appears set to reveal a more personal side of the artist, with Young Stunna exploring his growth, vulnerabilities and the experiences that have shaped the man behind the music.
“Balinde” is particularly significant because its inspiration reaches back to his childhood and the relationship he shared with his late great-grandmother.
‘Hamba usibuyele nazo’
Explaining the inspiration behind the song, Young Stunna recalled words from his great-grandmother that have remained with him throughout his journey:
“Hamba usibuyele nazo.”
Translated as “Go, and come back with them,” the phrase carries a much deeper meaning for the Amapiano star today.
Young Stunna said he remembered his great-grandmother telling him that a time would come when he would have to face the world on his own, “njenge ndoda” — as a man — and become responsible for looking after the people he loves.
At the time, he was completing his final exams while his great-grandmother was teaching him how to cook. Her wish was for him to attend university and further his studies, but looking back, Young Stunna believes those lessons extended far beyond education.
“I believe she was preparing me for something much bigger — life itself,” he said.
‘Her words stayed with me’
As Young Stunna’s career grew and his life changed, those childhood conversations began to carry greater significance.
According to the singer, his great-grandmother’s words prepared him for the responsibilities that eventually came with adulthood and success — including becoming someone his family and loved ones could depend on.
“They prepared me for the day I would have to stand on my own, carry my responsibilities, and become someone my loved ones could depend on,” Young Stunna explained.
For him, “Hamba usibuyele nazo” has consequently evolved from a childhood instruction into a philosophy he carries through life.
“It became a command. A reminder. A piece of her that I carry with me,” he said.
He added that her words continue to guide him as he navigates the pressures, responsibilities and battles that come with his journey.
‘BUSISIWE’ signals Young Stunna’s next chapter
The release of “Balinde” continues the build-up towards BUSISIWE, Young Stunna’s anticipated follow-up to NOTUMATO.
While his debut introduced audiences to the charismatic vocalist who would go on to become a major presence within Amapiano, his sophomore project is positioned as a more intentional and personal body of work documenting his evolution.
If “Balinde” is an indication of the album’s wider direction, BUSISIWE could find Young Stunna balancing the sound that made him a star with stories about family, responsibility, growth and the experiences behind his success.
With Blxckie joining him on the latest chapter, “Balinde” also bridges two of contemporary South African music’s biggest movements, bringing Amapiano and hip-hop sensibilities together through a story rooted in something much more intimate: the words of a great-grandmother preparing a young man for the world.
BALINDE OUT NOW ON ALL STREAMING PLATFORMS
https://songwhip.com/youngstunna/balinde
