Fresh off the release of his debut album, Selimathunzi, Mthunzi has been named Apple Music’s New Artist Spotlight for February.
“This is one of the best things and highlights in any musician’s career, I am grateful to Apple Music for their continuous support to artists and it is a great honour,” Mthunzi said.
The self-taught pianist and guitarist from Kwa-Zulu Natal, has melded a hybrid of styles which marry the best of Maskandi, House, Afro-Pop and RnB. On his 16-track debut album, Mthunzi collaborates with some of the country’s finest including Sun-El Musician, S-Tone, Ami Faku, Simmy, Sino Msolo and Claudio X Kenza.
Citing some of his primary influences, Mthunzi referred to the late Jabu Khanyile. He took inspiration from around the globe to craft and create this album.
“I hope listeners will receive and appreciate my music without limitations” he commented, adding that his dream is “to be able to inspire, change and make people happy through what I love which is music,” he said.
Recounting his favourite moments in his musical career up to now he said he had his first deal with a company called Mapsit, however, nothing materialized until he reached out to Sun-EL Musician who invited him to the studio for a jam session which spawned the hits Vuka and Insimbi.
“I had my first deal with a company called Mapsit, but nothing important materialized until I posted a video on social media tagging @sunelmusician, singing cover music from his label El World Music, which is when I got a call and Sun-EL Musician invited me to his studio. We worked on a few songs where I recorded my first single, “Vuka” and a follow up “Insimbi” which is a collaboration with Sun-EL Musician.”
