Langelihle Dube [email protected]
BULAWAYO-born musician and producer Kiid Angel is using his latest single, Nkanyezi, featuring vocalist Lisha WVS, to challenge young people to rethink their perceptions of love and relationships.
Released on November 6, the Afro-Beat-inspired love song explores commitment, loyalty and emotional support, while questioning the growing tendency to measure relationships through material possessions, financial status and physical appearance.
Kiid Angel said the song was inspired by observing how couples celebrate their relationships and grow together, as well as his desire to see more young people experience genuine love.
“I wanted to tell a story about choosing someone repeatedly, through different seasons of life, without making love dependent on material possessions, financial status or public opinion,” he said.
The musician believes changing expectations around relationships have placed unnecessary emotional pressure on young people, particularly men who often feel that their financial circumstances determine their worth.
Through his Mental Health Matters Too movement, he hopes to encourage conversations around men’s emotional well-being and vulnerability.
“I’m not saying financial stability doesn’t matter in a relationship. It does. However, it shouldn’t become the foundation upon which someone’s worth or ability to be loved is judged,” he said.
He said Nkanyezi was also intended to remind young people that relationships should be built on partnership rather than competition driven by financial expectations.
The collaboration with Lisha WVS came about after Kiid Angel discovered a demo of the song on WhatsApp. After researching her work and establishing contact, he was drawn to the story behind the track, which resonated with his own creative interests.
The two subsequently revisited the song, reshaping it to align with his musical direction as a producer.
“Lisha brought her own vocal character, emotion and interpretation to the record, which helped give the song its identity,” he said.
Although officially released last week, Nkanyezi had already received airplay on Skyz Metro FM and
Power FM from August. It also featured in Skyz Metro FM’s Drive Votes competition, where it remained in contention for a week.
The positive reception, including enquiries from listeners about where they could access the song, encouraged the duo to pursue its official release.
Beyond its romantic message, Kiid Angel hopes the track will become part of celebrations of love, including weddings, lobola ceremonies and other traditional occasions.
The duo is also planning a school tour between January and April 2027, focusing on healthy relationships, love and mental health awareness.
On the musical front, Kiid Angel has three more releases lined up before the end of the year. These include Girl on Fire, featuring Bulawayo vocalist Zoey; Love Data, featuring Harare-based singer Marcia; and the gospel offering Yekikhaya, featuring Snotty.
For Kiid Angel, the ambition extends beyond producing music for entertainment, with the musician keen to use his craft to inspire meaningful conversations.
“I want to continue creating records that entertain, inspire conversations and communicate something meaningful to people’s lives,” he said.
