How 'Mamma' showcases Zee Nxumalo's creative growth beyond Amapiano

Known for her infectious energy, Zee Nxumalo is one of South Africa’s rising Amapiano stars with hits like “Mali” and “Ngisakuthanda” under her belt. The 22-year-old star has been making waves with her distinctive sound. 

With a growing presence on radio and social media, Nxumalo continues to push creative boundaries without letting the genre that shaped her keep her in a box.

Her new single “Mamma”, featuring Sykes and Skillz, has already caught fire on the radio and TikTok. 

Speaking to “Independent Media Lifestyle”, she opened up about the inspiration behind the hit song, experimenting with new sounds and the lessons she has learned on her music journey so far.

“Honestly, it’s such a beautiful feeling. When I was recording Mamma, I knew it was special but didn’t know how fans would receive it. Seeing people dance to it on TikTok, singing along on the radio, and just vibing with the song makes me feel like my music is truly touching hearts. It reminds me why I do this,” she said.

The single features a hook that is a nod to Avicii’s iconic “Levels”.  Nxumalo explains how they made it their own. 

“That melody is iconic, and we wanted to honour it but also give it our own flavour. I grew up hearing it as a child, so the melody has always been stuck in my head.

She adds that while in the studio, it felt right to play around with the sample without overthinking it. 

“We just asked, ‘How would this sound if it was born in Africa?’ and the result was 'Mamma'. It’s familiar, but still fresh and ours.”

“Mamma” is a love duet between Nxumalo and vocalist Sykes that blends African Dance with nostalgia.

She shared that collaborating with Sykes and Skillz added energy to the song, bringing together two sides of a love story and taking it to the dance floor.

“I’ve always believed love songs have a special way of connecting people. With Mamma, I wanted to bring back that nostalgic, soulful feeling but still keep people dancing. 

The Eswatini-born vocal powerhouse says the song shows her versatility beyond Amapiano because she does not want to limit herself as a creative.

While Amapiano is her foundation, she shared that music is broad and that she’s constantly inspired by different sounds. 

“With ‘Mamma’, I wanted to show that I can stretch myself creatively, experiment with new sounds, and still stay true to my essence. Growth means trying new things, and I think my fans are ready to take that journey with me,” she said.

Nxumalo broke into the industry in 2022 and has been delivering nothing but hits consistently. Looking back on her journey, she highlights patience and consistency as key lessons.

The artist mentioned that success doesn’t happen overnight, revealing that every studio session, every performance, every release builds into the bigger picture. 

Finally, the singer expressed that seeing how people have been receiving her music, how her sound has grown, and how she managed to stand out in the industry has made her proud. 

For the young star, her success marks just the beginning of an exciting journey ahead.