At 22, South African amapiano sensation Zee Nxumalo has achieved what many artists only dream of in their lifetime.
In 2024, she has captivated audiences with her electrifying performances, dominated the charts and collaborated with some of the world’s biggest brands. But for Nxumalo, the journey is just getting started.
In an exclusive chat with IOL Lifestyle, the amapiano star shared her reflections on the past year, her plans for 2025 and the lessons that keep her grounded.
With a growing global fanbase, a burgeoning list of accolades and an unmistakable passion for her craft, Nxumalo is undoubtedly a name to watch in the new year.
From being named Apple Music’s Up Next Artist to earning a nomination for the GQ Men of the Year Awards in the prestigious “People’s Choice Award” category, she has proven herself as a force in the South African music scene and beyond.
One of her standout moments this year was her appointment as a brand ambassador for Puma, where she joined fellow amapiano star Young Stunna in leading the iconic brand in South Africa for 2025.
Reflecting on the partnership, Nxumalo shared her excitement about working with Puma: “We’ve got a lot of cool ideas that I can’t wait to see come to life in 2025. It’s such an exciting opportunity to bring my creativity to a global brand.”
Nxumalo’s collaborations didn’t stop there.
Her partnership with McDonald’s South Africa for the launch of the Grimace Shake saw her craft an exclusive amapiano track and a viral dance video that set social media abuzz.
These projects showcased her ability to effortlessly merge music, culture and brand storytelling, further cementing her status as a cultural trendsetter.
Ushering in 2025
When asked how she plans to welcome 2025, Nxumalo answer was simple yet powerful: doing what she loves most: performing.
“I’ll be doing my favourite thing in the world. I’ll be on stage performing! I’ve got a couple of shows in Durban, including Fact Durban Rocks for Malume Tira and a show in Welkom.”
For Nxumalo, the stage is not just a workspace but a place where she connects with her fans and pours her heart into every performance.
Lessons and reflections from 2024
As she looks back on the whirlwind year that was 2024, Nxumalo notes that it wasn’t just about the wins but also about the lessons.
“Trust your instinct and teamwork makes the dream work. My instincts have helped me make the right decisions throughout the year and the whole team has played their part in making sure that I had a very successful year. Next year, we go again,” she said.
It’s this team-oriented mindset and self-assuredness that have kept Nxumalo grounded despite her rapid rise to fame.
When it comes to New Year resolutions, the amapiano maestro has a refreshingly unique perspective.
“I’ve never been someone who sets resolutions before the year. I just don’t believe in fate, luck or anything like that.”
For Nxumalo, success isn’t about waiting for the stars to align; it’s about hard work, determination and staying true to her vision.
Nxumalo enters 2025 with ambitious goals and exciting projects on the horizon.
Her latest project, “Inja Ye Game”, has already made waves and she’s eager to keep the momentum going.
“My project ‘Inja Ye Game’ just dropped and it’s doing really well. Next year, I want to release some visuals from the project and do a big show to celebrate its success.”
When asked about her most memorable celebration to date, Nxumalo fondly recalled New Year’s Eve 2023.
“Last year was probably my first big celebration because ‘Funk 55’ was the hottest song entering New Year’s, so we were playing a couple of big shows. I will never forget it.”
Moments like these are a testament to her meteoric rise in the amapiano scene and the love she receives from her fans.
So, as we enter the new year, one thing is clear: Nxumalo isn’t just in the game - she’s here to redefine it.