"Big shoutout to Apple Music for picking me as their Up Next Artist in South Africa," Mnqobi Yazo. beams to Apple Music. "It's a huge deal! More folks are about to vibe with the healing tunes of UBHOKO."
Hailing from the vibrant village of KwaMaphumulo and repping the Durban township of Umlazi, Mnqobi Yazo's Afro-pop flair is a blend of traditional South African jams like maskandi and isicathamiya. From freestyling in grade school to becoming an underground MC, Yazo made waves before diving into singing during college, kickstarting his pro recording journey in the late 2000s.
Like a musical kindred spirit to Sjava, Blaq Diamond, and Aubrey Qwana, Yazo's smooth isicathamiya vibes and maskandi vocals set him apart. His debut hit, "Iscephu" (2018), and follow-up banger, "Impi" (2020), put him on the map, and now, after a much-awaited comeback, he's dropping his third album, UBHOKO (2024), ready to groove on Apple Music.
Dubbed "War Stick" in Nguni, UBHOKO isn't just an album—it's a soulful journey through life's battles, steeped in spirituality and culture. Across 19 tracks, Yazo dives deep into crucial topics like mental health and positivity, teaming up with stellar artists like Yallunder, Njilour, Ndabaz, Igcokama Elisha, and Olefied Khetha.
Joining the elite ranks of Up Next stars in South Africa, Mnqobi Yazo will rock the airwaves on Apple Music's Up Next playlist. This curated mix showcases fresh talent handpicked by Apple Music's global editors, spanning all genres and ready to spark your next musical obsession.
