Apple Music has just today announced Johannesburg-based Amapiano singer-songwriter Babalwa M (real name Babalwa Mavuso) as the next Isgubhu cover star.
“What an honor! This is a really huge moment for me and my supporters. It has affirmed my musical journey and just how far I’ve come,” she tells Apple Music.
I’ve worked extremely hard to reach this point, and I don’t take it for granted. ‘Excited’ would be an understatement to express the joy I feel at being chosen as the Isgubhu cover for August. I can only keep building from here, dominating more covers, and reaching more fans.
Born and raised in Johannesburg, Babalwa M’s musical journey began in church as a part of the choir, a period which instilled a deep appreciation in her for singing. After graduating with a degree in journalism but struggling to find work, it was during South Africa’s lockdown in 2020 where she unexpectedly turned to music again.
At home alongside her partner, DJ and producer Kelvin Momo, Babalwa M began to sing on his private school Amapiano tracks, and once they shared their music with social media, the floodgates of positive feedback opened, and there was no looking back. The release of their collaborative EP Bayeke (2020) laid the foundation for her to explore her vocal intricacies, quickly following it up with her debut album Aluta Continua (2021), characterised by its vibrant melodies and relevant narratives.
Today she stands as the undisputed queen of private school Amapiano, with her last EP Pisces (2024) a seven-track groove-inducing odyssey deeply rooted in the emotive and intuitive essence of its astrological inspiration. Teaming up again with Kelvin Momo alongside acclaimed producer Stixx, she’s also netted the vocal prowess of Nia Pearl and Bassie to paint a vibrant tapestry of melodies and rhythms.
To celebrate her feature, Babalwa M has also created an exclusive Isgubhu playlist that features an eclectic selection of songs that are near and dear to her. “I’m thrilled to share my playlist with my fans as it was a precise and very personal selection. It’s a playlist that shares great insight to some of my favourite songs and artists that inspire me, some are expected and others not so much but I really hope that it will be well received and it will give deeper insight to the music that I love!”
Launched in early 2021, Isgubhu is the definitive home of African Dance and Electronic music on Apple Music and spotlights and elevates the work of African Electronic DJs, producers and creatives. Isgubhu, a Zulu word meaning beat and used to refer to a banging song, pays homage to an evergreen set of genres and the African artists who have played a pivotal role in shaping the Dance and Electronic scene across the world.
Isgubhu also houses a collection of playlists including Spotlight On–a focus on boutique labels like Soul Candi, House Afrika, Stay True Sounds and Uganda’s Hakuna Kulala & Nyege Nyege Tapes and Isgubhu Voices–a focus on the best Dance and Electronic tracks that feature vocals.
