Khuzani’s latest album, “Angidlali Nezingane” signals a cultural breakthrough and the rise of Maskandi music on Apple Music. Picture: Supplied.
KwaZulu-Natal-born singer-songwriter Khuzani is riding a wave of success as his new album, “Angidlali Nezingane”, becomes the first Maskandi album to reach the No1 spot on the Apple Music All Genre Album Chart in South Africa.
This milestone not only marks a personal triumph for Khuzani but also signifies a cultural breakthrough for the Maskandi genre in an industry dominated by various global influences.
Khuzani shared: “I'm absolutely overwhelmed with gratitude. Seeing my album top the Apple charts is a dream come true. We poured our hearts, souls, and countless hours into creating something special, and to have it resonate with so many people is truly humbling.”
He continued to thank his fans, team and collaborators for their unwavering support.
“Your love and enthusiasm fuel our creativity and drive us to push boundaries. To my team, collaborators, and everyone involved in this project, thank you for your tireless efforts and dedication. This achievement wouldn't be possible without you.
“To Apple Music for providing a platform to share our music with the world, we're honoured to be part of this community. This milestone is not just a triumph for us, but for everyone who believes in the power of music to unite, inspire, and uplift. We're just getting started,” shared the artist.
The end of November saw an impressive rise in Maskandi music, with three albums making it into the Top 10 of the Apple Music album charts: Mthandeni SK’s “Impisi Iyalaya”, Inkos'yamagcokama’s “Silent Treatment” and Khuzani’s “Angidlali Nezingane”.
According to a statement from Apple Music, this surge illustrates a growing appreciation for the genre, which has been steadily gaining traction year-on-year on the music streaming platform.
Other artists like Mzukulu, Limit Nala, Menzi Music, Sminofu, Saliwa, Falabo, UNjoko and Ntencane have also made their mark by entering the South African Top 20 All Genre Album Chart over the past year.
In recognition of this vibrant genre, the streaming platform has created a dedicated Maskandi category page that showcases expertly curated selections and features a selection of the latest albums and singles, artist essentials playlists, catalogue playlists and classic albums from musical icons like Shwi no Mtekhala, Phuzekhemisi and Mfaz’Omnyama.