Apple Music today announces Umzulu Phaqa as the latest artist to be featured in its Up Next artist development program in South Africa.
“Being featured on Apple Music’s Up Next is incredibly exciting because it opens the door for the world to experience my sound,” she tells Apple Music. “My music is a fusion of traditional Zulu elements and contemporary sounds, rooted in heritage but always evolving. My goal is to be a global superstar while staying grounded in my culture, and this moment feels like a powerful step towards that vision.”
Born in rural KwaZulu-Natal, Sphiwe Moya, known professionally as Umzulu Phaqa, is a South African fusion artist, singer-songwriter, and cultural storyteller. Her sound is a bold blend of Afro-soul, Afropop, House, and Hip-Hop, woven together with deep rooted isiZulu narratives that honour heritage while embracing innovation.
Driven by authenticity, Umzulu Phaqa refuses to chase trends, staying true to her identity and artistry. This stance defined her breakthrough 2025 single “Mam’gobhozi”, released raw and unmastered to preserve its pure message. The track went viral, sparking online conversations and cementing her as one of the most important new voices in South African music.
In 2025, she teamed up with MsFit to release the highly anticipated joint project And The Grammy Goes To!. At just 16 minutes long, the project is a masterclass in quality over quantity. From the triumphant opener “GRAMMY”, to the razor-sharp lyricism of “PUT IT DOWN”, and the socially charged “AMAHIGH VALUE WAT WAT”, the project has been hailed as a goldmine for listeners obsessed with sound, longevity, and music that will remain relevant for the next decade.
As the latest Up Next act to be spotlighted in South Africa, Umzulu Phaqa will be featured on Apple Music’s Up Next playlist https://apple.co/3eITdJd. The curated Up Next playlist features a dynamic class of new and emerging artists, thoughtfully hand-picked by Apple Music editors from around the world. The playlist is genre-agnostic and represents a line-up of artists our global editors are passionate about and eager to expose to a larger audience.
The vast global Up Next roster of past talent includes Grammy-nominated and critically lauded talent like 6lack, Daniel Caesar, H.E.R., Greta Van Fleet, Khalid, Amy Shark, Billie Eilish, Sabrina Claudio, Sigrid, Mr Eazi, Stefflon Don, Bad Bunny, Juice WLRD, Bazzi, Jax Jones, NCT 127, Summer Walker, Tierra Whack, Dean Lewis, Pink Sweat$, Koffee, Megan Thee Stallion, Burna Boy, Clairo, Lunay, Jessie Reyez, Orville Peck, Victoria Monét, Ingrid Andress, Conan Gray, Don Toliver, Rema, BENEE, Holly Humberstone, Natanael Cano, Givēon, beabadoobee, Arlo Parks, Tate McRae, Foushee and Tems.
About Apple Music
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