The collaboration of artists Sjava and Big Zula has given rise to a new era of creativity and power of music brotherhood - forming Inkabi Zezwe, an even more formidable force in the world of music

Music has the power to transcend generations, cultures, and to a greater extent, religion. At home, I am the person who plays different sounds nearly every day, influenced by a variety of factors, including my profession.

In 1999, one of my cousins introduced me to Zibokwakhe Johnstone Mnyandu, popularly known as Phuzekhemisi, Bheki Ngcobo, the renowned ihashe Elimhlophe, and the late Mpatheni Khumalo, uMfazi Omnyama. At the time, they embodied Maskandi, which many today describe as alternative music. The trio went on to form a group called Izingqungqulu Zomhlaba, which translates to ‘the world’s greatest,’ and indeed they were, continuing to influence culture in various aspects.

My favorite song from the group is their most popular track, ‘Bantu Base Africa’, a clarion call for Africans to unite and respect each other. This song holds greater importance in today’s world as we grapple with issues such as xenophobia, cultural, sexual identity, and political intolerance.

Fast forward to the present day, years later, Jabulani Hadebe, also known as Sjava, and his friend Siyabonga Nene, aka Big Zulu, reminded me of my childhood. Their genre-blending music has had a profound influence on me, possibly because they remain true to themselves, their people, and the influencers from their upbringing.

Both singers were born and raised in Bergville, a small town situated in the foothills of the Drakensberg Mountains in KwaZulu-Natal. ‘We grew up in this town, where we learned respect, love for our people, and how to be men,’ say the duo as they describe their childhood experiences in Bergville. ‘Life was generally okay; we helped look after cows when they grazed, and we played soccer like any other kids here.’

The two genre-blending musicians’ first love is Maskandi and Isichathamiya music, and they were influenced by Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Phuzekemisi, Imithente, and Bhekimuzi kaLithuli. Big Zulu and Sjava are music pioneers and household names across the country, consistently producing hit after hit.

As torchbearers of traditional-infused music, these two artists have fought for recognition in the industry and mastered the art of entertainment. Their music as individual artists traverses traditional musical forms and more contemporary musical expressions.

Inkabi Zezwe, music, big zulu, sjava, entertainment, south african artists, music powerhouse — Inkabi Zezwe, photographs by Mimi Ezinne

Sjava’s time in the spotlight

Sjava is inclined towards R&B, Afropop, and Hip-Hop, while Big Zulu primarily uses Hip-Hop and Rap to shape his musical identity. This blend of genres presents a significant opportunity to create music that not only reflects their personal experiences but also showcases their awareness of contemporary South Africa.

Their latest music explores themes that are important to them, such as love, intimacy, joy, aspirations, and connections with people. ‘If you concern yourself with what others will say, you won’t achieve anything, my brother,’ declares the versatile star as he shares his journey.

Sjava began his career in 2005 as an actor, appearing in various drama series and films, including uGugu no Andile, Zone 14, where he featured for three consecutive seasons, Isibaya, the second season of eHostela, and more recently, uShaka Ilembe.

He revealed to GQ that acting came to him by accident, as his true passion has always been music. ‘I started as an entertainer in 2004, acting in several productions, including Generations, Zone 14, and uShaka. Acting happened by chance; music has always been my first love, which is why I took a break from acting to focus on it.’power

The genre-blurring artist gained mainstream recognition as a singer when he was featured on Miss Pru’s acclaimed song ‘Ameni’ in 2015. He gained further prominence and popularity with my personal favourite, ‘Ekuseni’, and signed with the record label Ambitiouz Entertainment, where he released his debut album, Isina Muva, in 2016, earning the nickname ‘late bloomer.’

In this album, Sjava introduced himself as an Afropop, hip-hop, and contemporary R&B artist destined for success. The album performed exceptionally well, achieving Gold certification from the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA), leading to the release of a deluxe version titled Isina Muva: Gold Deluxe. This project garnered him numerous awards and nominations, solidifying Sjava’s presence in the music industry.

‘I started making music at a young age, singing in school choirs, which has contributed to my longevity in the industry. Discipline and a genuine love for my craft have also played significant roles. Growing up in a small town during an era characterized by order and discipline had a lasting impact. I have cherished every aspect of my hometown,’ says Sjava.

His second studio album, Umqhele, released in 2018, received critical acclaim and continued to showcase his fusion sound, further establishing his African-influenced image and gaining a following in international regions. The album featured the lead single ‘Umama,’ a song that later found a place on the global music platform COLORS, where he was featured in a performance on May 13, 2019.On November 23, 2019, Sjava was honored with the Best Male Artist in Southern Africa award at the 2019 All Africa Music Awards.

Inkabi Zezwe, music, big zulu, sjava, entertainment, south african artists, music powerhouse — Sjava, photographs by Mimi Ezinne

Big Zulu’s rise

Before achieving superstardom, Big Zulu faced numerous challenges. As a result, he worked as a taxi driver to support his family, but his passion for music never waned. The rapper, born in Bergville, eventually left the taxi industry in 2008 to pursue his music career full-time. In 2009, he began writing songs and performing, ultimately earning the title of ‘King of Rap’ in a rap battle contest held by Back to the City.

His debut single, ‘Donsa Nkabi,’ featuring Zakwe and Mzulu, was released in 2016 and quickly gained him a large following. Big Zulu shared his journey, saying, ‘I needed to be a man and provide for my kids. I became a taxi driver, but my love for “iingoma” (music) never wavered. I even transported people to events where I would also be performing. I drove people around for several years because, at the time, the type of music I was making apparently didn’t have commercial value,’ he told GQ.

After years of being an independent artist, in 2015, he signed a record deal with Universal Music Records, opening the door for his debut album, Ushun’ Wenkabi. He described this album as a labor of love and dedication, a journey in search of his own identity as a singer.

He stated, ‘As an artist, you need to know what you’re doing. With this album, I was trying to find myself and claim that identity. Music is a deeply personal thing that can change people.’

His second studio album, Ungqongqoshe Wongqongqoshe, was released in 2019 and featured some of South Africa’s biggest names, including Cassper Nyovest, Musiholic, and Kwesta. His lead single, featuring Kwesta, became an instant hit, solidifying his status as a rap artist. Big Zulu’s second single, ‘Ama Million,’ reached No. 5 on the iTunes Chart, a testament to his growth and individuality. He earned a nomination for Best Hip Hop Album at the South African Music Awards (SAMA26) and also received nods for Album of the Year and Best Male Artist of the Year at the South African Hip Hop Awards.

Inkabi Zezwe, music, big zulu, sjava, entertainment, south african artists, music powerhouse — Big Zulu, photographs by Mimi Ezinne

Establishing a record label

Two years later, Zulu regained his independence by establishing Nkabi Records and released his third album, Ichwane Lenyoka, which catapulted him to superstardom. The album featured hits such as ‘Mali Eningi,’ featuring Ntaba Yase Dubai and the late Riky Rick; ‘Inhlupheko,’ featuring Mduduzi Ncube; and ‘Umuzi eSandton,’ with Lwah Ndlunkulu.

As a testament to his persistence and talent, Big Zulu won several awards, including Song of the Year for ‘Mali Eningi’ and Album of the Year at the 2021 South African Hip Hop Awards. The star also clinched ‘Collaboration of the Year’ at the 27th annual SAMA Awards.

Big Zulu revealed that one of the reasons for opening his own record label was the lack of understanding from many record companies. ‘The record companies I have worked with do not seem to understand me, or perhaps I do not understand them, depending on one’s perspective,’ he explained. ‘This reached a point where I felt that the record company wasn’t assisting me or simply didn’t care, but in reality, they were just confused about what I was trying to achieve.

This limitation affected my work, as I ended up conforming to their preferences rather than pursuing what truly made me happy.’ Big Zulu is known for his distinctive style, often seen wearing Brentwood, a 100% pure Venetian woolen trouser that exudes authenticity. This premium quality clothing item is particularly popular among mas’khandi and isicathamiya singers, especially in KZN.

Enter... ‘Inkabi Zezwe’

Through a Warner Music Africa (WMA)-inspired partnership, Big Zulu and Sjava, two musical heavyweights, joined forces as Inkabi Zezwe on their popular album, Ukhamba, which has enjoyed significant success on multiple fronts.

The duo explains that the name, Inkabi Zezwe, is a Zulu term of endearment that, in the context of music, conveys a sense of unified brotherhood representative of the nation. ‘Zezwe’ translates to ‘of the nation,’ signifying that these two giants have united to offer their music to the nation.

Their collaboration, reminiscent of Izingqungqulu Zomhlaba, places them at the forefront of an intriguing moment in music and culture. Inkabi Zezwe centers around community and the beauty of shared experiences.

Inkabi Zezwe, music, big zulu, sjava, entertainment, south african artists, music powerhouse — Inkabi Zezwe, photographs by Mimi Ezinne

Describing how the duo came together, Big Zulu shared, ‘Everything begins with a love for people. An idea emerges, and you work around it. However, if the time is not right, it won’t work. We attempted to bring this idea to life earlier, but I suppose the timing wasn’t right.’

Despite their somewhat different approaches to music, both artists share a deep appreciation for love, hope, and family, with IsiZulu culture as their common ground. Consequently, a collaborative album between Sjava and Big Zulu can only highlight the rich tapestry of complex IsiZulu identities, its people, and their ambitions.

Their goal was a personal one – an immersive recording process for a full-length body of work. The backdrop for this creative endeavor was Bergville, the birthplace, and home of both musicians. This proximity to their roots meant that the music would be poignant and would carry fragments of their intimate world, reflecting the people who raised them and the lush hills that nurtured them. At the time of writing, the album had amassed an impressive 31.8 million streams, with dedicated listeners spanning South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Mozambique, and the United Kingdom.

‘This idea of bringing Sjava and Big Zulu together for a one-time project began to take shape. We aimed to create something truly special. However, it wasn’t an instant process; it required numerous meetings, piecing everything together, and establishing a structure that suited all parties,’ recalled WMA’s Managing Director, Temi Adeniji.

‘After a few months, we reached a consensus, and everything fell into place. For me, this project holds great significance. It’s the most substantial project Warner has undertaken since my tenure began, aligning with our intention to

transform our business and firmly establish it at the center of the cultural landscape in our country. In my opinion, it couldn’t be more perfect.’

The duo’s anthem

In March, the duo captivated South Africans with their fresh, chart-topping love anthem, ‘Umbayimbayi’, which achieved double-platinum status. The official music video garnered over 1.3 million views in just ten days. Right from the beginning, the track dominated streaming platforms, reaching the No.1 position on Spotify’s ‘Made in South Africa’ and ‘Bhinca Nation’ playlists. On Apple Music, it held the No.1 spot on the ‘Top 25 Johannesburg,’ ‘Durban,’ and ‘Top 100 South Africa’ charts, while also claiming the No.1 position on iTunes. On TikTok, the official ‘Umbayimbayi’ sound became a fan favorite, accumulating over 236k creations on the app. Additionally, this hit song held the No.1 spot on South African radios for three consecutive weeks.

The literal meaning of the single is a cannon field gun powerful enough to bring down a tall building. However, for these two hopeless romantics, known for delivering love songs in their unique way, the Afropop ballad fused with Maskandi jam is their heartfelt declaration of love, albeit with a twist.

‘When we were growing up, we had a saying that mountains can hide things from you, especially someone you love. Then we thought of the saying, “we will buy our lover the cannon guns to break down these mountains, and they will be able to see us.” It’s a love song that draws from our childhood sayings and references. In this way, we invite people into our world while giving South Africans a song they can truly claim as their own,’ explains Zulu, downplaying any romantic labels.

Big Zulu is not yet married, but he is in a relationship with Lebogang Makenete, with whom he shares a daughter. In his previous relationship with Bulelwa Nazo, he had a son. On the other hand, Sjava prefers not to discuss his relationships, though he did hint that there might be someone special in his life.

Bringing Ukhamba to life

Both artists describe working on the project as a pivotal moment in their careers. They acknowledge their dominance in their respective genres, yet emphasise their understanding of what needs to be accomplished.

‘I was initially apprehensive and felt some pressure when we entered the camp. I recognise that we are both prominent artists in our own right. However, because I know Sjava personally, he’s my close friend, and I’m familiar with his personality and lifestyle, collaborating became more comfortable,’ shares Big Zulu. ‘During our time at the camp, there was a strong sense of love, respect, and brotherhood, resulting in very few challenges.’

In alignment with Big Zulu’s sentiments, the uMama singer underscores the project’s significance for both of them, especially in the context of today’s music industry. He goes on to describe the project as a ‘game-changer’ due to its far-reaching impact on the industry.

‘When you observe the current music landscape, you can clearly see the influence of Inkabi Zezwe on the songs being released. This indicates that our work is on the right path. We are trendsetters, as more and more people are beginning to follow our lead,’ alluded Sjava.

Inkabi Zezwe, music, big zulu, sjava, entertainment, south african artists, music powerhouse — Inkabi Zezwe, photographs by Mimi Ezinne

Sold-out tours & collaborations

Soon after releasing their album in May, the duo announced a nationwide tour, starting by sharing a meal with their fans at KWA MAI MAI on a Sunday. Fans were treated to ticket giveaways as well as merchandise. In line with the duo’s ethos, fans were also provided a platform to showcase their skills and talents.

The duo continued engaging with their fans ahead of their national tour, which began on June 24 at Sunbet Arena in Pretoria. Following this, the next stop was in the mother city on July 28, allowing fans the opportunity to meet and greet at Shesha store in Canal Walk.

The second leg of the four-city tour took place on July 29, with Inkabi Zezwe performing to a packed Grandwest Arena. This was their second sold-out show following the success at Sunbet Arena in Pretoria.

Fans were treated to opening performances by Inkabi Nation’s Mduduzi Ncube, who performed his single ‘Njalo’. Other opening acts included Xowla and Siya Ntuli, as well as Cape Town-based Hip Hop artist Bravo Le Roux, who has featured Sjava on ‘Umntu’.

Similar to the previous show, Iingoma dancers electrified the stage with their performance, highlighting the colossal tune ‘Intro (Inkabi Zezwe)’. In addition to all the tracks from the Ukhamba album, Inkabi Zezwe performed songs from their solo catalogs, delighting both Sjava and Big Zulu fans.

Big Zulu commented on the Cape Town show, saying, ‘I could not believe what I saw in Cape Town. We were doubting that the show would be such a success, but we managed to fill the seats despite the cold, rainy weather that day. “Kwakuyinto emnandi ukubona intlaninge yabantu iphume kanje.” We enjoyed seeing people come out to support us, and many started singing as they left the arena. It was a fantastic atmosphere and feeling.’

The musical heavyweights then graced Carnival City, Johannesburg on August 26. The duo’s concert, eagerly anticipated, lived up to all expectations and more, as fans were treated to an unforgettable night of performances and exhilarating moments.

Inkabi Zezwe, music, big zulu, sjava, entertainment, south african artists, music powerhouse — Inkabi Zezwe, photographs by Mimi Ezinne

The evening began with opening acts from Lwah Ndlunkulu, Siya Ntuli, and Xowla. Their captivating performances set the tone for the night ahead, leaving the crowd in awe of their musical prowess.

One of the night’s highlights was a special guest appearance by the renowned Zahara. Her soul-stirring performance left the audience craving for more, leading to overwhelming demand.

Sjava and Big Zulu postponed their Durban show, originally scheduled for September 3 at HollywoodBets Kings Park Stadium. They made the announcement on their Instagram timeline: ‘Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Durban show on September 3 has been postponed. A new date will be announced soon. You can continue to stream the album at #Ukhamba and read the lyrics to this music. One love is one. If you have already bought tickets, you can keep them for the future date or reach out to Computicket for a refund. Thank you so much.’

Reflecting on the entire tour, Sjava expressed his disappointment, saying he feels they could have done more and maintained their momentum. ‘I think we could have done more. If it’s possible, we will do another tour. The work we’ve done, however, is great and important to us, neNkabi yam,’ Sjava said.

During the tour, the group partnered with the clothing brand Butan. Big Zulu and the soulful sensation Sjava worked closely with the Butan team to create a collection befitting two African giants. They poured their hearts and souls into every stitch, infusing their creative genius into each piece. This collection isn’t merely merchandise; it’s an extension of their artistic heritage.

But that’s not all. In a groundbreaking move, Inkabi Zezwe is bringing their everyday life into the spotlight. You’ll be treated to a captivating ad that offers an exclusive look into the artists’ world, with their cars and the city as the backdrop. It’s an intimate glimpse into their lives that will leave you wanting more.

The Butan X Inkabi Zezwe Capsule Collection features an array of must-have items. Be sure to keep an eye out for the brand-new bomber jackets and the iconic rugby jersey. The leopard print pattern under the collar adds a unique dimension. Adorned with an asymmetrical stripe detail and featuring custom artists’ badges, these two hot-ticket items will be available at all Butan official retailers and Shesha stores nationwide.

Grammy ready?

After the chart topping album and a sold out nationwide tour, is a Grammy nomination next? Speaking about this, Sjava said they did submit for consideration, adding, ‘We can only hope to receive a nomination. But we will take it as it comes.’