ZEE NXUMALO INTERVIEW: 5 POWERFUL LESSONS ON TURNING VIRAL FAME INTO LONG-TERM MUSIC INDUSTRY SUSTAINABILITY
ZEE NXUMALO INTERVIEW: True longevity in music requires a foundation that outlives any internet trend. At just 23 years old, Zee Nxumalo has already conquered the charts, earning the title of the highest-streamed female artist in South Africa for 2025 and pulling in over 60 million streams for her smash hit ‘Mamma’. Yet, on her latest EP ‘Izinja Zam’, the Johannesburg-based vocalist deliberately turns inward.
Anchored by the cinematic pulse of 3-Step and the spiritual grounding of tracks like Guqa and Bawo, the project showcases the woman behind the accolades—vulnerable, faithful, and fiercely resolute. Fresh off a major UK press run and a global stage at Afro Nation this past week, Nxumalo joins us to discuss navigating viral success, building female-led ecosystems in music, and why South African stories never need to be diluted for international ears.
Your EP ‘Izinja Zam’ is described as a very deliberate, structured body of work that turns inward compared to your earlier high-energy records. What inspired you to pivot toward themes of vulnerability, spirituality, and reflection at this specific point in your life?
I think it came from growth. The last few years have been amazing, but they’ve also taught me a lot about myself. People often see the performances, the streams and the success, but there’s another side to the journey that’s more personal. I wanted this project to reflect that. I wanted people to hear the woman behind the artist. The vulnerability, the gratitude, the faith and the lessons. It felt like the right time to be more honest with my audience and show a deeper side of who I am.
The opening track ‘Bawo’ and the focus single ‘Guqa’ both carry strong spiritual themes, with ‘Guqa’ framing kneeling in prayer as a strategy and an act of strength rather than submission. Can you talk about how your personal faith and spiritual alignment guided the creation of this project?
Faith has always been a big part of my life. As my career grows, I’ve realised even more how important it is to stay grounded spiritually. For me, prayer isn’t something you do when things go wrong. It’s part of the strategy. It’s where I find clarity, strength and peace. Songs like Bawo and Guqa came naturally because they reflect real conversations I have with God. I wanted to remind people that surrendering doesn’t make you weak. Sometimes it’s the strongest thing you can do.
Sonically, the EP uses 3-Step as its structural backbone alongside Amapiano. What is it about the pulse of 3-Step that allowed you to tell these deeper, more cinematic stories?
There’s something emotional about 3-Step. It still has rhythm and movement, but it creates space for storytelling, space for melodies and space for feeling. When we started building the project, I realised those textures allowed me to express emotions in a way that felt bigger and more cinematic. It carries energy, but it also carries emotion, which made it the perfect foundation for the stories I wanted to tell.
The EP moves from spiritual surrender in ‘Guqa’ to outright celebration in ‘Awe Mah 2.0’ with Young Stunna, Blxckie, and K.O. How did you balance that transition from quiet introspection to celebrating youth and earned success?
Because that’s real life. Life isn’t one emotion. Sometimes you’re praying, reflecting and searching for answers. Other times you’re celebrating the blessings that come from that journey. I wanted the project to feel human. Guqa represents grounding yourself and staying connected to your purpose. Aweh Mah 2.0 is about enjoying the fruits of your hard work and embracing the moment. Both emotions can exist at the same time.
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