Aphiwe and Sobancane’s Ucula Kamnandi out today

The maskandi duo of Aphiwe and Sobancane are poised to release their newest single, Ucula Kamnandi, today.

This unique collaboration features a fusion of Afro-pop and maskandi, showcasing a diverse line-up of talent, including Thandy Dhlana, Msiz’Kay and MJ Sings.

Handsome “Handy” Sibanda, the duo’s manager, provided insights into the project.

Ucula Kamnandi is a fun song. The collaboration was an eye-opener for all artistes, especially Aphiwe and Sobancane, as they ventured into a genre they had never explored before because theirs is maskandi,” Handy said.

He said the recording session was fun because the artistes were in one place and the energy was the same. “They were giving each other ideas as they recorded at Nash Studios in Bulawayo.”

One of the featured artistes, Msiz’Kay, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaborative process.

“Collaborating with Aphiwe and Sobancane, alongside MJ Sings and Thandy Dhlana, was a beautiful process. Witnessing all of us, each with our unique talents, skills and backgrounds, coming together to merge distinctive perspectives, experiences and artistic styles into our collaboration song was truly inspiring,” shared the hit-maker of Ngawuzw’ uMoya Wami.

MJ Sings, another collaborator, shared his perspective on the project, mentioning, “It was a breath of fresh air working with the duo. The idea came around during our trip to Harare (when we went to the Shoko Festival). After we posted the clip online, hundreds of people rooted for the collaboration to happen and we decided to finish it in the studio.”

He said it was his first time venturing into the world of maskandi music.

“The experience was not only enlightening but also a captivating glimpse into the rich tapestry of maskandi. A heartfelt thank you to everyone involved in creating this record for making the entire experience truly amazing,” MJ Sings expressed.

Thandy Dhlana expressed her admiration for her fellow artistes, stating: “I personally love Aphiwe and Sobancane, I love their music as well, same with MJ Sings and Msiz’Kay. So the whole thing was effortless; we just blended seamlessly at one go.”

Meanwhile, the duo of Aphiwe and Sobancane is set to perform in South Africa next month at Moonknight Bar in Johannesburg. —TashaMutsiba