With “When You’re Around” now out in the world, Durban born, Johannesburg raised Lusanda is ready to step fully into her role as an artist, as part of a new generation of exciting South African talents.
Lusanda’s debut single, “When You’re Around,” started out as a beat posted on TikTok by noxz, a Nigerian-born, London-based producer and multi-hyphenate who has worked with artists like Shae universe, Etta bond and Tank.
She improvised over the melody, and uploaded her take on the track to the app. It has since blossomed into a dreamy, introspective R&B track that reflects Lusanda’s unique sound and influences – an effortless blend of pop, soul, and the Jazz that provided the soundtrack to her childhood.
“When You’re Around” is a clear showcase of her ability to merge these influences into a sound that’s both fresh and familiar, marked by her signature airy, evocative vocals.
Noxz’ production rides on a hypnotic blend of soft percussion and warm synths, creating a tranquil backdrop that lets Lusanda’s voice glide effortlessly across the track. But beneath the surface, there’s a quiet dissonance that pulls the listener in.
The song is an emotional tightrope, balancing Lusanda’s silken delivery with lyrics that peel back the layers of desire, insecurity, and longing, hinting at a depth that goes beyond the smooth R&B exterior, showing an artist capable of transforming intimate, messy emotions into something strikingly beautiful.
Lusanda Ngcobo didn’t set out to be a singer. In fact, for most of her life, the 24-year-old artist, who goes by the mononym Lusanda, thought her future was in dance.
Born in Durban and raised in Johannesburg, her earliest memories are filled with music and movement. She grew up dancing (a classically trained ballerina since age five), playing marimbas, and singing in choirs before eventually enrolling in choreography studies at the University of Cape Town. Music was always in the background, but it wasn’t until she started posting TikTok covers that her voice found its way to the forefront.
Lusanda first caught the internet’s attention through a string of TikTok covers that showcased her soothing vocals and knack for blending R&B stylings into pop, rap and Amapiano songs. In 2023, one spontaneous upload in particular – a rendition of Outkast’s modern classic “Hey Ya” – set the wheels in motion for a new chapter in her life. The video garnered millions of views in a matter of weeks.
Offers started pouring in from music producers including one to collaborate on a track with rising R&B singer/songwriter Manana and Amapiano it girl Uncle Waffles. By January this year, Lusanda found herself in the studio recording “Echoes”, honing her voice and learning the art of songwriting. “I’ve spent the last year really figuring out how I wanted my music to feel – focusing on my pen, finding my sound, and working with incredible people who push me creatively,” she says.
Stream “When You’re Around” Here!
Main Image: Instagram
