Apple Music announced Swati-born South African singer-songwriter and Amapiano star, Zee Nxumalo (real name Zandile Nxumalo), as the latest addition to its Up Next program, Apple Music’s global artist initiative geared towards identifying, showcasing and elevating rising talent. The local South Africa version of their global emerging artist platform launched early in 2021.
“My new project, Inja Ye Game, is all about claiming my place in the spotlight—I’m next, and I’m owning it,” she tells Apple Music. “Being named Apple Music’s Up Next artist is a huge moment for me, it’s a bold stamp of approval from one of the biggest platforms in the world. To be part of a list that’s highlighted global stars like Tems and Giveon is incredible, especially as Amapiano gets its well-deserved global shine with its own Apple Music category. This project shows my range, and I can’t wait for the world to hear it.”
Born in Eswatini and raised in Alexandra in Johannesburg, Zee made the transition from TikTok star to Amapiano prodigy courtesy of her breakout single “Funk 55” (2023) featuring DBN Gogo and Shakes & Les. The track solidified her status as an artist to watch, going 5x platinum and becoming a bona fide summer anthem.
Joining forces with Dlala Thukzin and Funky Qla for the Afro-tech anthem “Ama Gear” this year only further served to propel Zee into the spotlight, as the viral track continues to top charts and playlists long after its July release.
Her latest EP “Inja Ye Game” (2024), available to stream on Apple Music, is a ten-track tour de force offering that showcases the full scope of her versatility, as she proudly declares herself the “top dog” of the Amapiano scene.
As the newest Up Next artist to be spotlighted in South Africa, Zee Nxumalo will be featured across Apple Music’s Up Next playlist. 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$, Koffee, Megan Thee Stallion, Burna Boy, Clairo, Lunay, Jessie Reyez, Orville Peck, Victoria Monét, Ingrid Andress, Conan Gray, Don Toliver, Rema, BENEE, Holly Humberstone, Natanael Cano, Givēon, beabadoobee, Arlo Parks, Tate McRae, Fousheé and Tems.
About Apple Music’s Up Next Program
Up Next is Apple Music’s monthly artist program geared towards identifying, showcasing and elevating rising star talent. Each month, Apple Music’s editorial team selects an artist to promote, utilizing the full force of the platform to raise awareness of the artist to its growing global audience of music fans. The vast Up Next roster of past talent includes Grammy-nominated and critically lauded talent like 6lack, Daniel Caesar, H.E.R., Greta Van Fleet, Khalid, Amy Shark, Billie Eilish, Sabrina Claudio, Sigrid, Mr Eazi, Stefflon Don, Bad Bunny, Juice WLRD, Bazzi, Jax Jones, NCT 127, Summer Walker, Tierra Whack, Dean Lewis, Pink Sweat$, 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, Zoe Wees, Morray, Fousheé, Amorphous, Tems, Parker McCollum, Jay Wheeler, Shenseea, Omar Apollo, Jvck James and aespa.
In 2022, Apple Music’s Up Next artist program has expanded into its sixth year and includes a curated companion Up Next playlist featuring a dynamic class of new and emerging artists, thoughtfully hand-picked by Apple Music editors from around the world. The playlist is genre and country agnostic and represents a line-up of artists our global editors are passionate about and eager to expose to a larger audience. In March 2021, Apple Music expanded the Up Next program to feature localized campaigns that highlight artists across the U.S., U.K., Australia/New Zealand, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Greater China, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Latin America, Netherlands, Nigeria, Nordics, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, and Turkey.