Online Reporter
Award-winning musician and songwriter Elaine has been on an impressive run of Afro-tech and dance music collaborations. Still, this time she’s stepping out from behind the feature credits and putting herself at the centre.
For the song “One More Dance”, Elaine reunited with Major League DJz and also worked with producers Atmos Blaq and Mpho.wav.
During a sit-down with Elaine at Warner Music Africa, IOL previewed the music video for “One More Dance” and unpacked the making of the record, her evolving relationship with dance music and the new chapter she’s stepping into.
Elaine may have been introduced to audiences as the girl with the smooth R&B vocals, but over the years she has evolved into so much more.
From “Say I Do” with Kelvin Momo to “Vele Uyena (Risk It All)” with Skylaa Tyla, Elaine has increasingly allowed herself to experiment outside the sound audiences first associated her with.
“I feel like there’s always this pushback that comes from wanting to be versatile, but I don’t think it’s a crime at all, and I’m excited. It’s brought me so many new fans; it’s brought me so many new opportunities.”
For a song that sounds like it could have been created somewhere between an Ibiza sunset and a European summer, “One More Dance” actually came together somewhere far less glamorous: Elaine’s Johannesburg living room.
“I invited all the producers. We ordered some Uber Eats. It was very casual, just a cold night in Johannesburg this January.”
The session formed part of a music camp Elaine hosted, which she jokingly boasts produced “some of the best songs ever”.
“One More Dance” was the first one she knew she wanted audiences to hear.
She explains that the song is a great balance between the foundation of South African music, which is dance music, house music, Afro-tech, and whatever sub-genre of dance music that we have, and also where it’s headed.
“I feel like we’re in an era where our music is becoming so experimental and modernised, and this is just my take on a modern-day South African dance record. This is how I interpret it.”
What makes “One More Dance” particularly significant for Elaine is that, unlike her previous dance collaborations, she’s no longer stepping into someone else’s musical world as a featured vocalist. This time, she’s driving the record.
“I love being at the forefront; I love learning about the culture. I love learning about the history and being involved. I really am having a ball, and it also feels grounding because everything is at home.
With “One More Dance”, Elaine gets to take the lead. Instead of waiting to hear how another artist or producer interprets her vocals on their record, she’s been involved in shaping the sound from the beginning.
Watching the music video for “One More Dance” is almost a reminder of the era when music videos were events in themselves and music channels helped define an artist’s aesthetic.
Elaine is firmly at the centre, as she should be, with Major League DJz supporting her as she embraces silver, metallic looks and a playful visual identity that makes it clear she’s entered a new chapter.
And the transformation isn’t limited to the music. Elaine is her own stylist, and she loves it because it allows her to be honest about where she is. “It’s also so much fun ushering in a new era with new looks, new vibes.
“It’s like an alter ego. I still need to find a name for this alter ego, but it’s an alter ego, and I love her and I’m learning more about her.”
She adds that her alter ego has her stepping away from her shy and reserved personality, but she’s doing her best to keep up and have fun in the midst of it all.
Elaine may be the girl commanding crowds across South Africa, but deep down she’s still just a girl who loves Pilates and matcha.
Perhaps the biggest change, however, isn’t something audiences will necessarily hear in the production or see in Elaine’s new aesthetic. It’s the place she’s creating from.
“I’m not creating out of hunger; I’m creating out of fulfilment. I’m creating out of pure love and respect for what I do, and the results have been amazing.”
She’s spent much of 2026 balancing long hours in the studio with performances across the country, and now she’s finally ready to share what she’s been working on.
“I’ve done some amazing collaborations as well on the vocal side. It’s been a long year. The Mercury Retrograde has been terrible, but I won’t take the wins for granted,” she says with a laugh.
While “One More Dance” marks the beginning of this new chapter, it’s only the first taste of what’s to come. Elaine reveals that fans can expect a string of singles leading up to a larger project, featuring collaborations with some of her favourite South African musicians.
Away from the studio, she’ll also be taking this new era to the stage with performances at Shekhinah’s Rose Fest on Women’s Day, August 9, before making her Park Live debut on August 29.
But perhaps the biggest shift isn’t the music itself. It’s the mindset behind it.
Gone is the pressure to prove herself. Instead, Elaine says she’s creating from a place of gratitude, fulfilment and genuine love for her craft.
“I’m not creating out of hunger; I’m creating out of fulfilment. I’m creating out of pure love and respect for what I do, and the results have been amazing.”
After years of audiences getting to know different versions of Elaine, perhaps this new chapter isn’t about leaving the old Elaine behind. It’s about permitting herself to embrace every version of the artist she’s becoming -IOL
