Apple Music Announces Thando Zide as the Latest Up Next Artist in South Africa

Apple Music today announces Johannesburg-born singer-songwriter Thando Zide as the latest artist to be featured in its Up Next artist development program in South Africa.

Raised in Soweto in a home filled with choir rehearsals and rich vocal harmonies, Thando Zide’s musical foundation was shaped from an early age by her parents’ deep love of music. After refining her craft at Johannesburg’s National School of the Arts, where she immersed herself in orchestral performance, choir and a cappella music, she steadily established herself as one of South Africa’s most captivating new Afro-soul voices through emotionally resonant performances and exceptional vocal precision.

Her artistry has continued to flourish through collaborations with some of South Africa’s most respected musicians, including Manana, Nduduzo Makhathini, Kelvin Momo, Jabulile Majola and Nomfundo Moh. Following the release of her acclaimed 2023 debut EP Umvulo, which introduced standout tracks “iNtwenhle” and “iLanga Lakho.” Thando has built a reputation for music that is rich in feeling, deeply personal and rooted in the textures of home.

Now, Thando opens an exciting new chapter with her debut album, Ku Ngawe. The 11-track project is steeped in R&B and soul, pairing layered instrumentation with intimate songwriting to create a listening experience that rewards depth and reflection. Featuring contributions from celebrated South African songwriters Msaki, Manana and Ami Faku, Ku Ngawe showcases an artist whose music is as emotionally expansive as it is sonically refined, offering a collection of songs that speak to open hearts and attentive listeners alike.

“This selection and recognition by Apple Up Next as an emerging and independent artist is a great honour, truly. And it comes at a time of great reflection for me,” Thando Zide tells Apple Music. “This recognition and support from Apple is evidence that all those challenging moments were necessary. This makes the hard work put in behind the scenes worth it. So, I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity.”

As the latest Up Next act to be spotlighted in South Africa, Thando Zide will be featured across Apple Music’s Up Next playlist https://apple.co/3eITdJd. The curated Up Next playlist features a dynamic class of new and emerging artists, thoughtfully hand-picked by Apple Music editors from around the world. The playlist is genre-agnostic and represents a line-up of artists our global editors are passionate about and eager to expose to a larger audience.

The vast global Up Next roster of past talent includes Grammy-nominated and critically lauded talent like 6lack, Daniel Caesar, H.E.R., Greta Van Fleet, Khalid, Amy Shark, Billie Eilish, Sabrina Claudio, Sigrid, Mr Eazi, Stefflon Don, Bad Bunny, Juice WRLD, Bazzi, Jax Jones, NCT 127, Summer Walker, Tierra Whack, Dean Lewis, Pink Sweat$, Koffee, Megan Thee Stallion, Burna Boy, Clairo, Lunay, Jessie Reyez, Orville Peck, Victoria Monét, Ingrid Andress, Conan Gray, Don Toliver, Rema, BENEE, Holly Humberstone, Natanael Cano, Givēon, beabadoobee, Arlo Parks, Tate McRae, Fousheé and Tems.

About Apple Music

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