2 days ago
Heartfelt ‘Promises': Vusi Nova talks heartbreak anthem, upcoming album and bold vision
Vusi Nova dropped a new heartbreak anthem for those healing from broken relationships, showcasing his matured vocal control.
The musician said his record label, Nova Sounds, is well on its way to being a force to be reckoned with.
He is set to release a new album on 25 July while making his black-tie intimate concerts an annual tradition.
With his smooth, velvety voice, Vusi Nova has arguably cemented his place as the ballad king of South African music. The acclaimed artist is back with his latest single, Phendula, available on all digital platforms.
The track serves as an ode to those healing from broken hearts, masterfully capturing the intoxicating magic of falling deeply in love before experiencing the crushing weight of heartbreak – complete with all the regrets, lingering moments, and unanswered questions that follow.
Never one to shy away from delivering music that allows audiences to fully immerse themselves emotionally, the musician reflects on how far he's travelled since his early recording days.
'It's all about tapping into those emotions and actually, in a way, reliving painful moments. Also, I think with time, my voice has matured, and I'm able to control it more and play with it to express a feeling,' he explains.
Born Vusimuzi Nongxa, the artist successfully transitioned from R&B and neo-soul to Afro-pop, achieving breakthrough success with albums like Naninina. His reputation rests on heartfelt lyrics and powerful vocals that seamlessly incorporate his Xhosa cultural heritage.
'Singing in isiXhosa and English has always been natural for me, and it's never been a problem. Coming from GQ has made this even easier because that is how we speak. We are flexible; we flow easily from English to isiXhosa. It's what I've been able to capture in my music,' he says.
Nova's approach is instinctive when asked about his process for determining which personal experiences are ready to become songs versus those requiring more emotional processing time: 'It's never something I consciously think about – it happens naturally. Obviously, some situations linger longer in your mind and feel almost urgent.'
In a previous 2023 interview with News24, Nova revealed he had finally built up the courage to pursue a long-held dream: launching his own record label. While the South African music scene isn't short of such ventures, Nova was convinced his approach would be different due to the genuine intention behind it.
'When I started singing, there was no one there to hold my hand and show me the way, leading me in the right direction. So, it took me much longer to establish myself because I had to fight and fight and fight with no support,' he reflected at the time.
Now well on his way to making his vision bigger and better, Nova explains: 'I've always been passionate about unearthing raw talent, so for me, it was a natural decision to have my own platform where I could do this. I also feel that being an artist myself is an advantage for my artists, and I understand what artists truly need.'
The musician achieved another milestone with his first solo intimate show at Emperors Palace Centre Court on 1 May, featuring an impressive lineup including Kelly Khumalo, Nathi Mankayi, Zuko SA, Kwanda, 047, BusiGold, Ssips, and Stu.
'My black-tie event was the first one I organised myself, and it was both challenging and incredibly eye-opening. I plan on making it an annual event with the goal of taking it to even bigger venues,' he shares.
Reflecting on industry realities, Nova notes: 'This industry teaches you to be very thick-skinned and to expect anything and everything. Also, not everything is worth commenting on.'
He shared his plans and said more music was coming: 'My album is set to drop on 25 July 2025, and it will be called Promises.
'Making Nova Sounds a force to be reckoned with is the plan, and we're already well on our path.'
