Online Reporter
Award-winning South African house duo Liquideep have officially ushered in a new era, debuting their latest single during an appearance on 5FM’s “5 Drive” with Zanele Potelwa.
For members Ziyon and Rayzor, the comeback is about far more than revisiting the success that made them household names.
Speaking to Potelwa, the pair reflected on the overwhelming reception they’ve received since reuniting, admitting they only truly realised the impact of their music after returning to the stage.
“Sometimes a diamond in your house that you pass by every single day just becomes another stone,” Ziyon said.
“I think the more time went by, we didn’t really understand exactly what we had.
“It wasn’t until our first couple of performances when we started hearing stories like, ‘My father introduced me to this music,’ or ‘My brother who passed introduced me to this music.’
“Mothers and daughters come to the shows together, fathers and sons come to the shows together. It’s an incredible opportunity because it’s not a right, it’s a privilege.”
Rather than leaning into nostalgia, Ziyon said Liquideep’s new chapter is rooted in intention.
“We want to move with intention this time because we have those ears, because we were able to cross over,” he explained.
“The messaging is love, peace and unity. We need more love in the world right now. We need more unity in the world right now. That’s where we stand in the gap.”
Rayzor echoed those sentiments, thanking fans for patiently waiting for new music after the duo reunited.
“When we came back, the first thing people asked was, ‘Thank you guys, but where’s the music?’” he laughed.
“Going back out and doing shows gave us an opportunity to reconnect with the fans because we honestly didn’t think we were going to get the reception that we did.”
Their return also comes at a time when South African music is enjoying unprecedented global recognition.
Discussing the country’s evolving soundscape, Ziyon praised the rise of homegrown genres, saying South Africa is leading creatively on multiple fronts.
“We’ve created genres. We’ve got Amapiano, we’ve got 3-Step. This is purely South African.
“We are driving the narrative. We are influencing other countries.
“Look at what’s happening in jazz, photography, fashion; we’re driving it forward.
“All we’re doing is plugging ourselves into this beautiful renaissance moment and adding our contribution.”
The duo also revealed that their reunion wasn’t carefully planned.
According to Rayzor, the turning point came when they were approached to perform together at the 30th South African Music Awards (SAMAs), a performance that reignited public demand for the iconic pair.
“We never sat down and said, ‘Let’s plan a comeback,’” Rayzor explained.
“It wasn’t until late 2024 when we were approached about performing at the SAMAs.
“We did that show and it sparked everything. It just felt like the right time, divine timing.”
The interview wasn’t short on surprises either.
While remaining tight-lipped, the pair teased a major international collaboration with what they described as a “superstar” in what Ziyon called a “full-circle moment.”
“It’s not on our album, but there’s a big one about to happen,” he said, hinting that fans won’t have to wait long for more details.
The new single itself stays true to the signature Liquideep sound fans have loved for years, pairing soulful house production with themes of togetherness, hope and celebration.
That message, Ziyon said, has always been at the heart of the group.
“My motto was always to move people with the beat and move people in the heart,” he said.
“House music gets people moving, but you can also put an uplifting message on top of it. We’re always going to need more love. We’ve all lost love, gained love, been broken by love and been healed by love. We all have stories, and that’s where we speak from — love and motivation.”
With new music finally here, a major collaboration on the horizon and a renewed sense of purpose, Liquideep’s latest chapter appears to be less about reliving the past and more about reminding audiences why their music has resonated across generations. —IOL.
