The rise of amapiano star Zee Nxumalo - ‘I allow myself to be myself'
Lessons Zee has taken from fame and industry peers include authenticity, consistency and time management.
Her creative process in the studio includes freestyling to the beat.
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At just 22 years old, Zandile Nxumalo's stamp on the amapiano community is as bold as her presence.
Professionally known as Zee Nxumalo, the Swazi-South African vocalist is topping the charts with infectious rhythms and sultry melodies on tracks like Ngisakuthanda, all while racking up millions of streams.
The songstress continues to make strides in her meteoric rise in the entertainment industry, from claiming the most nominations at the upcoming Basadi in Music Awards with four under her belt to buying a luxury car and bagging her first international feature with Romanian artists Raluka and millforlife on her latest single called In & Out.
Zee is a busy woman, with TRUELOVE catching up with the star while she's on the road all while letting her Basadi in Music Award nominations still 'sink in'.
'We're definitely working here. There's no longer time to spare for things that don't make sense, we literally have to become super intentional about what we do with our time,' Zee tells TRUELOVE.
Learning from fame
More than just a rising star, Zee has quickly become a staple voice among the hypnotic beats and synths of amapiano, and she's had to learn how to navigate meeting new fans and industry colleagues.
On the lessons she's learning, she explains, 'Remaining true to myself and staying true to who I truly am was the highlights but, obviously, because I'm still fairly new to the game, ngisafunda (I'm still learning). I don't want to lie, I'm learning a lot of things. Things like respecting time, time management, planning.
'Those are things that two years back, they were not really of much importance to me but because I'm getting myself exposed to so many things, ngiyafunda.'
Life is a teacher to many at any age, with Zee looking up to young stars like singer Naledi Aphiwe and industry giants like DJ Maphorisa for authenticity and consistency.
READ MORE | Rising star | Kealeboga Masango on Genesis role, working with seasoned actors and more
However, there's always a price to nationwide recognition. Many had a lot to say over a video of Zee's supposedly cold interaction with veteran actress and singer Thembi Seete on a red carpet.
Zee clarifies, 'Haibo, she is the one that even called me to the red carpet ukuthi, 'You look good, ngena'. Mina I was there like, 'Oh hi sis' Thembi and yourself, aw ngena', yabo? But I saw the video myself, doesn't look great.
Is it just me or is Zee Nxumalo mizing our legend Thembi Seete🔍 pic.twitter.com/WO1gq8dnUA
— UNCLE CHARLES (@mixedracedUncle) June 21, 2025
'And, unfortunately, it's an opinion-based industry ... It's probably going to happen even after three years, even after four, it's an opinion-based industry. Senz'u-music, people must have opinions about the music we make, they must have opinions about the way we dress. So, it's nothing really - it's not life-threatening.'
Letting the music guide her
Despite the ups and downs of fame, music is at the crux of Zee's livelihood. Having collaborated with heavy hitters like Pabi Cooper, Tyler ICU, Dlala Thukzin and more, she dives into her creative process behind her number one tracks.
'The beat definitely influences the way in which I interact with the song. Because kunama-chords, sometimes the person can play set chords, then now uyangena ngama-set chords. But mina as uZee Nxumalo, I freestyle a lot. I allow myself to be myself.'
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