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LISTEN: ZYO's debut single with Mpumi Sizani is a mix of afro house and pop with a definite South African influence

Cape Town - South Africa’s ZYO has just hit the music industry with his first single, We Are One - featuring none other than songbird Mpumi Sizani.

The is a mix of afro house and pop with a definite South African influence.

About the release ZYO said: “The song is the celebration of the beauty that connects us all. It features lyrics in Xhosa and English, which was a very intentional thing, as it conveys the ethos of ZYO. Mpumi was the perfect collaboration partner. She wrote the Xhosa lyrics and brought so much energy and passion to the song, let alone an amazing vocal performance!”

LISTEN TO THE SONG HERE:


THE MEANING BEHIND THE NAME ZYO: 

 The artist says that his name ZYO comes from the Zulu word “esizayo”, which is translated as “future” in English. “My utmost desire with my music is to celebrate the uniqueness of South Africa and the cultural mixing pot that we find ourselves in. ZYO is essentially a manifestation of the music and culture that’s been pervading my consciousness for all of my life. It’s a fusion of my roots in Africa, as well as my European heritage.”

HOW THE COLLABORATION WITH MPUMI CAME ABOUT: 

ZYO says that with the initial rough demo of the song, he put the word out, looking for an incredible African vocalist based in Cape Town. “As fate would have it, Mpumi’s name came up repeatedly. So, I reached out to her by sending her the instrumental track and lyrics I had written. Her response was overwhelmingly positive. She came through to my studio and the synergy was incredible. We had a great collaborative session where we fleshed out the song, combining elements of what I had written and what she had. It was clear to us both - doing the song together was meant to be. Mpumi is so gifted. She got the whole concept of the song and her Xhosa lyrics were a key element in cementing the We Are One message.”


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