Baweze Drops New Heartfelt Track “Mamela”

Rising AfroSoul star Baweze is set to capture hearts this Valentine’s season with the release of his powerful new single “Mamela”, a soul-stirring call to truly listen in love. With the track just dropped, in the month of love, it arrives as a timely reminder that real connection demands more than grand gestures, it requires being heard, valued, and spiritually grounded.

Born from a deeply personal experience of loving wholeheartedly yet feeling undervalued, “Mamela” (which means “listen” in isiXhosa) speaks directly to anyone who has ever felt like second place in a relationship. Baweze opens up: “I loved this girl, put her first in everything, but I always came second. Friends told me to leave, but deep down you hope she’ll change. You feel undervalued. That’s where ‘Mamela’ comes from.”

The single marks a new chapter for the artist formerly known as Mwezi The Vocalist. After taking a break from music to prioritise his health, Baweze lost over 35kg, reclaimed his well-being, and rebranded with a purpose: to create music that helps the masses, not just himself. “Mwezi felt individual,” he explains. “Baweze speaks to everyone. When people listen to ‘Mamela’, I want them to forget about me and look inward,  to introspect and do right in their own corners of love.” Mwezi had a lot of weight and the new name is Baweze.

Raised in the close-knit community of Barkly East as a pastor’s kid, Baweze grew up in a home where listening was sacred, people came for spiritual and practical help, and the Ngutyana family name still evokes stories of care and compassion. That heritage of genuine listening infuses every note of “Mamela”, blending organic AfroSoul instrumentation with mature, emotion-driven storytelling that feels lighter yet no less profound than his acclaimed 2021 EP Amaphuph’am (My Dreams).

As an advocate for mental and physical health, Baweze weaves self-care into the song’s message. “Listening isn’t just about what we’re not getting materially,”  he says. “It’s also about listening to what our bodies need; alignment, rest, clarity. When you love something, you take care of it, starting with yourself.”

February’s release is intentional. In a world of materialistic love and trending phrases like “Umgowo and find out”, Baweze wants “Mamela” to convict listeners to invite God back into relationships. “There is no fear in love; perfect love casts out fear,” he shares, quoting scripture close to his heart. “This month we claim to celebrate love and  let’s practise the real thing.”

Fresh from national radio rotation on Metro FM and Radio 2000, a standout performance on SABC 3’s Expresso Morning Show, features in videos for DJ Tira and Prince Kaybee, and a collaboration on a Kalawa Jazmee project under the legendary Oskido, Baweze is ready to take centre stage. Mentored by Liquideep’s Ziyon on Clash of the Choirs South Africa, he has honed a signature simplicity that makes complex emotions instantly relatable.

“Mamela is going to spark conversations,” Baweze promises with a smile. “Men will feel exposed,  we act tough, say we don’t catch feelings, but this song breaks the bro code in the best way. It’s soft, honest and real.”

“Mamela” is available on all major streaming platforms..