Lethumusa & Zinia – Emandla Ami
From its earliest biblical roots to its place in contemporary worship, music has always carried a unique spiritual weight. On Emandla Ami, Lethumusa and Zinia tap into that sacred tradition with a collaboration that feels both reverent and refreshing, offering a sound that honours faith while still speaking to the pulse of today’s listener.
Lethumusa continues to prove why he stands among the standout producers of his generation, bringing a fresh, light-footed approach through the 3-step subgenre. His production keeps the track warm, groovy and accessible, while Zinia’s presence adds the emotional depth and vocal grace that make the single land with conviction. Together, the two artists deliver a record that rarely misses a beat.
Released under Antidote Music, Emandla Ami is one of the songs I would love my friends to listen to because it will definitely resonate more with a youthful crowd. From first listen, I knew that this song won my vote on a number of levels. Firstly, there’s an audio and music video; the music video is well-produced and was shot by PhambiliTV. But if you really want to give this song your full attention, I think the audio does justice because it is longer by about three minutes, allowing the listener to fully enjoy the song and the emotions that come with it.
Emandla Ami starts nice and slow like a worship song on a Sunday morning, then gradually comes to life with guitar strings by Sihlangu Sibiya. Zinia wrote the song and the lyrics are encouraging, speaking to how God is the source of our strength, translated from her line “Emandla ami, avela kuwe”.
This is a song I listen to by myself with headphones plugged in, and also a number I would bump on a Sunday morning through the speakers as I prepare to go to church. There’s something that gets me emotional. The more I listen to this track, I somewhat feel it connects me closer to my Creator.
If there is one area where the song could have stretched a little further, it would be in the use of a subtle supporting voice. Not necessarily a full feature that announces itself, but perhaps an additional artist tucked into the background to add texture, warmth and another layer of feeling. That said, this is less of a criticism and more of a creative wish; Emandla Ami remains a strong and moving record in its current form.
Zinia – Sidliso
Our girl has found her landing in the industry. Zinia has released her first single titled Sidliso and her voice is captivating as always. The start is mellow, following the RnB neo-soul type style with a gradual buildup. It has a beautiful intro expressed in both English and vernacular.
Sidliso in the African context is when a lover manipulates the system to get you to love them even more and to blind you of all their faults. From the lyrics, what we can draw is how intense love can be sometimes, that even if there’s a love potion involved, you really wouldn’t mind.
What makes Sidliso stand out is how seamlessly the lyrics fuse into the production. Zinia’s layered vocals feel rich and honest, adding flavour without overwhelming the track. She gives enough to showcase her range, but her live performances always create a lasting impression.
Produced by South African-based producer and songwriter Revelations and released under Oriigins, Sidliso is a confident debut that already feels fully realised. With the warm reception it has received, a music video feels like the natural next step. Wink wink.
