Sbahle’s Collaboration With Nhlanhla Mafu and Naima Kay Marks a Turning Point in Her Music Journey
Umlazi-born rising star Sbahle has stepped into a defining phase of her music career through her latest work on the song Some More from her album Iscoco Sami. The track features well-known Afro-soul voices and places her in a creative space that reflects growth, learning and artistic confidence. She has described this collaboration as one of the most important moments in her journey so far. The project connects her personal story with experienced voices in South African music. It also highlights how emerging artists can grow through collaboration while staying true to their identity. Her reflections show a clear sense of direction and purpose in her work.
Working alongside Nhlanhla Mafu and Naima Kay became a meaningful experience for Sbahle. She explained that she grew up listening to both artists and admired not only their voices but also their conduct as professionals. This made the collaboration feel personal and emotional for her. She noted that both artists treated her with respect and humility throughout the process. That approach helped create a working environment that felt equal and supportive. It also allowed her to focus on her performance without pressure or comparison.
The recording process for Some More was intentionally structured to support comfort and creativity. Each artist recorded their parts in separate studio spaces instead of working together in one room. Sbahle made this choice to reduce pressure and avoid self-doubt during recording sessions. She explained that shared studio environments can sometimes lead to overthinking and comparison between artists. Working separately allowed each voice to develop naturally without external influence. This method helped the final song come together with clarity and balance.
At the beginning of the collaboration, Sbahle admitted she felt intimidated by working with established figures in the industry. She described herself as naturally shy, especially around people she respects deeply. That feeling created moments of self-questioning during the early stages of the project. However, she said both collaborators made her feel comfortable by listening to her ideas and engaging with her direction for the song. Over time, she stopped viewing them as distant industry figures and began seeing them as equals in a creative process. That shift helped her grow more confident in her artistic voice.
Sbahle’s musical foundation is shaped by strong influences that guided her sound and performance style. She credits Brenda Fassie for teaching her emotional honesty and fearless expression in music. She also draws inspiration from Beyoncé, who she associates with discipline, precision and high performance standards. These influences helped her understand the importance of both feeling and structure in music creation. Her journey began with simple online cover performances that gradually built her confidence. Over time, she moved from informal expression to structured collaboration and original work.
Her latest project, Iscoco Sami, represents a clear statement of independence and artistic control. Sbahle describes it as a body of work that reflects ownership of her direction and decisions. It shows her shift from waiting for approval to actively shaping her own path. Each song on the project reflects lessons she has learned while building her career step by step. The collaboration on Some More fits into this larger story of growth and self-belief. Her journey continues to develop as she moves deeper into the music industry with stronger identity and focus.
