Latest news with #Phendula
News24
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
Vusi Nova on turning pain into art in new single, Phendula - ‘The hurt was raw'
No soulful sound is too tough for him to crack. For over ten years now, Vusi Nova has flexed his musical his 2013 debut album, Walk Into Light and his 2014 work of art, Did It For Love, he cemented himself as a profound vocalist in the mainstream music space. By the time he released Naninina, which was his third album, he had all of us sitting down attentively through Ndikuthandile and Thandiwe. From there, he's given us As'phelalanga and many other chart toppers, such as gospel song with Dumi Mkokstad, Yibanathi. The award-winning musician is now back with a milestone-marking love song, Phendula. Read more | GIG GUIDE | Vusi Nova to host his first ever one-man show with elegance and class 'Phendula is an ode to those healing from a broken heart, it captures the magic of falling deeply in love and then being heartbroken - the regrets, moments, and questions. Phendula was inspired by real heartbreak - those painful moments when love lets you down again and again. It's about turning that pain into something beautiful and healing through music,' Vusi Nova says. He adds that the song is an intimate ballad that has already won the hearts of his fans since the release of the teaser a few weeks ago. 'I want people listening to the song and that have been heartbroken to feel understood and validated, like someone finally put their heartbreak into words. Even in the sadness, I hope they find comfort and strength, knowing they're not alone,' Vusi Nova adds. When writing the lyrics of the song, he admits to having been deep in his feelings. 'The hurt was raw, but I turned pain into art. I'm healed, stronger, and proud of turning struggle into something beautiful.' Over the years, his sound has evolved from just being crudely raw, stripped-down, with just him and his emotions, figuring it out. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vusi Nova (@vusinova1) 'Now my sound is richer and more layered but still keeping that realness. I feel it's all growth without losing the soul.' Despite the new waves of sound taking over the music industry, he remains true and consistent to his own. 'It's the sound of my story, my people's struggles, and our joy. Raw, unfiltered, human, my roots and my realness. Afro-soul isn't just music, it's medicine. When fans say it mends their heart. That's the mission. It has the power to heal. The genre bends but never breaks, and there's room to fuse tradition with tomorrow. That's freedom, and that keeps me motivated.' Read more | Vusi Nova's 'Okuncinci' sets the tone for love this February His journey has pivoted him into owning a recording label of his own as well, Nova Sounds, which houses upcoming artists in the Afro-pop and Afro-soul fraternity. 'Running my label has been liberating but wild at the same time. I like building a plane while flying it. More control, more headaches, but zero regrets. Every win hits deeper 'cause it's yours. I've been making money moves – funding projects while staying independent is a hustle. It comes with wearing all hats – From A&R to promo, the grind never stops. I've had to break through gatekeepers without major backing. However, the highlights are having creative freedom – dropping music my way, no compromises. Helping other artists shine fuels me. And the small wins have been rewarding.' Thus far, his highlight for the year has not only been hosting his first solo show – The Black Tie which he intends to turn into an annual project but also watching his artists drop albums and singles, watching them soar, and gifting the streets with more music feels great.
The South African
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The South African
Vusi Nova's releases new single 'Phendula'
Vusi Nova has done it again. The Afro-soul maestro dropped his latest single, Phendula , on Friday, 13 June, and it's already making waves across South Africa. This heartfelt ballad is a balm for anyone nursing a broken heart. It captures the raw pain of love lost, but also the hope and healing that follow. Vusi Nova's music has always been real and relatable, his sound is a unique blend of soul-stirring lyrics, smooth vocals, and gentle melodies. Phendula stays true to that signature style but feels even more intimate and vulnerable, according to Entertainment SA. The song dives deep into the emotional rollercoaster of falling in love, facing heartbreak, and asking the tough questions that come with it. ' Phendula was inspired by real heartbreak – those painful moments when love lets you down again and again,' Vusi Nova shared. 'It's about turning that pain into something beautiful and healing through music.' Fans have already embraced the track since the teaser dropped a few weeks ago. Many say it feels like Vusi Nova has finally put their heartbreak into words. 'I want people listening to the song and have been heartbroken to feel understood and validated,' he said. 'Even in the sadness, I hope they find comfort and strength, knowing they're not alone.' When asked about the headspace he was in while writing Phendula , Vusi Nova was candid. 'Then, I was deep in my feelings – hurt, raw, but turning pain into art. Now, I'm healed, stronger, and proud of turning struggle into something beautiful.' His sound has evolved too. 'Back then, my sound was raw and stripped-down, just me and my emotions figuring it out. Now, my sound is richer and more layered, but still keeps that realness. It's growth without losing the soul.' Vusi Nova also opened up about running his own record label. 'It's been liberating but wild. I like building a plane while flying it. More control means more headaches, but zero regrets. Every win hits deeper because it's yours.' He described the hustle of funding projects independently in South Africa's competitive music scene. 'I've had to break through gatekeepers without major backing. Wearing all hats – from A&R to promo – the grind never stops.' Yet, the freedom to create without compromise keeps him going. 'Dropping music my way and helping other artists shine fuels me. The small wins have been incredibly rewarding.' This year has been a big one for Vusi Nova. 'Hosting 'The Black Tie' – my first solo show – felt like magic. I'm turning it into an annual vibe. Watching artists on my label drop albums and singles this summer and seeing them soar is amazing. It feels great to give the streets more music.' His passion for Afro-soul remains strong. 'It's the sound of my story, my people's struggles, and our joy. Afro-soul isn't just music – it's medicine. When fans say it mends their hearts, that's the mission.' He believes the genre is flexible yet unbreakable. 'There's room to fuse tradition with tomorrow. That's freedom, and that keeps me motivated.' With Phendula , Vusi Nova has once again proven why he's a voice for the heartbroken and a beacon of hope for many South Africans. This single is a healing journey set to music. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
