Online Reporter
For Mnqobi Yazo, “Nhlanhla” is more than a song about luck or fortune. It is a reflection of a difficult chapter in his life and the unexpected opportunities that followed its ending.
The KwaZulu-Natal-born musician, whose real name is Lindokuhle Mnqobi Msimango, released the single this August, marking the latest chapter in an evolving career that has seen him blend traditional Zulu sounds with contemporary music.
The release follows his July collaboration with “Nkanyezi” and his January 2024 album “Ubhoko”.
Speaking about the inspiration behind “Nhlanhla”, Mnqobi Yazo said the song was born from a relationship that left him questioning whether he was being valued for who he was rather than what he had.
“For me, ‘Nhlanhla’ came from a very personal experience of going through a difficult relationship and feeling like I wasn’t being appreciated because I was still trying to build my life,” he said.
“There was a point where I felt like my circumstances were being measured by what I had, rather than by the person I was becoming.”
From heartbreak to a blessing
While the end of the relationship was painful, Mnqobi Yazo said the period that followed brought unexpected changes to his life.
“When that relationship ended, things slowly started changing for me. Opportunities began opening up, my career started moving in a different direction, and I realised that sometimes what feels like a loss can actually be the beginning of something better,” he said.
That realisation became the emotional foundation for “Nhlanhla”.
For Mnqobi Yazo, the title represents more than luck. It speaks to divine timing, favour and gratitude, while acknowledging that some endings can ultimately make space for new beginnings.
“It’s about looking back at where you came from and saying, ‘Maybe that ending was necessary for this new beginning,’” he said.
An artist not afraid to experiment
As he prepares for what he describes as his most experimental album project yet, Mnqobi Yazo is also challenging himself creatively.
His music has become known for bringing together elements of Isicathamiya, Maskandi and Afro-Jazz with contemporary sounds. However, he believes preserving his cultural identity does not mean refusing to evolve.
“I don’t want to make the same album twice,” he said.
“With this project, I’m allowing myself to explore different sounds, different textures and different ways of telling stories.”
While the sound may evolve, the foundation remains firmly rooted in his Zulu identity.
“The language, the melodies, the storytelling, the way we express emotions and even the way traditional sounds are used, those things are part of who I am,” he said.
For Mnqobi Yazo, cultural preservation is about carrying tradition forward rather than keeping it frozen in time.
“I can experiment with production and still make music that sounds like it comes from where I come from,” he said. “I want people to hear something contemporary, but still feel that African spirit underneath it.”
From ‘Iscephu’ to sold-out venues
Mnqobi Yazo’s career has grown considerably since the release of his debut EP, “Iscephu”, in 2018. – IOL
