Universal Music and Native Rhythms rekindle their legacy through Nkonzo ZA’s powerful debut EP ‘Ubizo’

Two of South Africa’s most respected musical institutions, Universal Music South Africa and Native Rhythms Records, have reunited to introduce the world to a rising voice whose sound bridges spirituality, tradition, and modernity. Their first joint offering in years comes in the form of Ubizo, the debut EP by Nkonzo ZA, released on 31 October 2025.

Born Anele Nkonzo in Umzimkhulu, KwaZulu-Natal, Nkonzo’s music carries the pulse of the land and the weight of lived experience. His sound, is steeped in the sonic language of his roots, layered with Maskandi-inspired textures and anchored in African spiritual heritage. Discovered in 2024 by industry stalwart Dr. Sipho Sithole, Nkonzo quickly captured attention for his ethereal voice, spiritual intensity, and poetic songwriting that feels both deeply personal and profoundly universal.

Ubizo, meaning the ‘calling’ is not merely an EP; it is an invocation. Across its tracks, Nkonzo explores the delicate tension between pain and purpose, faith and doubt, calling and destiny. His music unearths the emotional realities of being human; the quiet despair, the resilience, the longing for divine connection, and transforms them into something transcendent.

The lead single, ‘Akvumi’, introduces listeners to the raw heart of the project. It is a lament for moments when the spirit grows weary, when one no longer has the strength to be resilient in the face of adversity. Against layered instrumentation and choral echoes, Nkonzo’s voice becomes a prayer, embodying the vulnerability of those who’ve endured hardship with no more will to fight. It’s a song that meets listeners where they are, offering comfort through truth rather than fantasy.

Each track on Ubizo unfolds like a chapter in a spiritual memoir. ‘Umoya’ contemplates the journey of the soul beyond the body, guided by chilling melodies and percussion that evokes ancestral presence. ‘Bagxuma’ carries the energy of the Shembe church, its harmonies both hypnotic and jubilant, while ‘Abasemzini’ channels the raw soulfulness reminiscent of the golden era of South African Afrosoul, echoing the timeless influence of voices like Thandiswa Mazwai and Simphiwe Dana.

In one of the project’s most moving collaborations, Nkonzo works with the University of Johannesburg Choir, whose harmonies elevate his sound into sacred territory. Together, they create a sound that feels almost cinematic in its emotional reach.

Beyond its musical brilliance, Ubizo also marks a symbolic reunion between Native Rhythms and Universal Music South Africa, two entities whose shared history has helped shape the evolution of African music. Their collaboration reflects a mutual commitment to nurturing authentic artistry and reintroducing music that speaks to both the past and the present.

For Nkonzo, this moment is both a professional milestone and a spiritual reckoning. His musical path began in church, raised by a mother who recognized and encouraged his natural gift. It was there that he learned the power of song not only to entertain, but to heal; to speak when words alone could not. Those early experiences continue to inform his creative mission today: to tell stories that connect generations, to honour heritage through innovation, and to create music that transcends boundaries.

With Ubizo, Nkonzo ZA stands at the intersection of the sacred and the modern. His music doesn’t chase trends; it channels emotion. It redefines what it means to make African music in a contemporary world; music that is both introspective and universal, both rooted and far-reaching.

In an era where sound often outpaces meaning, Nkonzo’s work reminds us that there is still power in storytelling, still healing in melody, and still beauty in honesty. Ubizo is that rare offering, an artistic calling answered, a sonic prayer fulfilled.