South African music continues to expand across genres and international markets. This week’s releases reflect that range.
They include Tyla’s new single, Unathi Nkayi’s return to storytelling, and a Grammy-powered collaboration aimed at global audiences.
The latest instalment of our new music series arrives as South African artists take a stronger role in global music spaces.
Following her World Cup opening performance in Mexico City, Tyla continues her international rollout.
Two-time Grammy winner Tyla has released ‘Is It Love’, the third single from her upcoming album APOP, due on July 24.
She will perform at Morocco’s Mawazine Festival on Sunday and later appear on NBC’s Today Show Citi Concert Series.
Tyla’s music continues to merge amapiano and pop influences. ‘Is It Love’ stays within her amapiano-pop sound, with a focus on a direct emotional question.
“Is it love, if you don’t cry?”
“It don’t mean sht if I don’t see tears in those eyes.”
The track combines club production with reflective lyrics. This remains a consistent feature of Tyla’s catalogue.
Directed by Aerin Moreno, the music video shows Tyla in a blue-lit apartment.
The environment breaks down as the video progresses. Glass shatters and water floods the space. A distant figure watches from outside.
With APOP releasing next month, Tyla continues her global festival schedule. She is set for Afronation Portugal, Montreux Jazz Festival, and Italy’s Hellwatt Festival.
South African exports collaborate on global pop release
Three South African music exports have released a new collaboration. Wouter Kellerman, Daniel Baron, and Cara Frew appear on ‘Golden’, a cinematic pop record that blends Afro-inspired elements with global pop production.
Wouter Kellerman, a three-time Grammy Award-winning flautist, recently received the Order of Ikhamanga in Gold. His flute performance forms the core of ‘Golden’.
Producer Daniel Baron, a seven-time SAMA nominee, contributes songwriting and production. He has worked on more than 30 number-one records. His production focuses on structure and clarity.
Cara Frew delivers the vocal performance on the track. She has performed at Coachella and worked with Black Coffee. Her vocals carry the main melodic line of the song.
The release of ‘Golden’ has gained early traction. The music video passed 265,000 views in six days. It also features on Apple Music’s Global Pop playlist.
The track focuses on themes of connection and unity. It uses minimal arrangement and steady instrumentation rather than trend-driven production.
Unathi Nkayi returns with storytelling-led release
Unathi Nkayi returns to music with a stronger focus on storytelling. She is working through a broader rollout under LOUD IN AFRICA.
Her return also reflects a period in which she has been increasingly open about her mental health and healing journey, using her platform to help destigmatise mental health challenges in the entertainment industry.
This was reflected in her participation in the Black Coffee Foundation’s Music Conference.
Read more on Unathi Nkayi’s mental health conversation
Her new single ‘Isikhwele’, featuring kwaito artist Professor and emerging artist Meez, marks her return after stepping back from music.
“I’m really proud of how I’ve grown and evolved creatively,” Unathi said. “I’ve always been known for telling deeper stories, and I wanted this release to reflect that.”
The song explores jealousy in relationships. The accompanying video focuses on Soweto. It also references the 1976 uprising commemoration period.
Unathi directed and executive produced the project. She used her broadcasting background to guide the visual concept and structure.
This week’s releases highlight different directions in South African music. Tyla continues her international pop rollout.
Unathi Nkayi returns with a narrative-driven approach. Wouter Kellerman, Daniel Baron, and Cara Frew deliver a structured global collaboration.
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