By: Natasha Archary
Like Moses parted the sea, so too does Zano & Hlobeautiful’s hit track Lwandle on the Ultimate Kaya 959 Top 30.
The No.1 song on the charts maintains it’s second week on top and is an ode to love that transcends every obstacle.
Speaking to DJ Keyez, Zano & Hlobeautiful created the masterpiece that is Lwandle by chance. Being in a long-distance relationship, Zano attributes the hauntingly beautiful lyrics to his long-distance relationship.
The concept of the track came about from conversations that Zano had with people about long-distance love.
“The first time we heard this song, we knew Lwandle was going to be special. I go with where my spirit leads which is what I always want. For my music to touch people’s hearts,” Zano shared with the chart show host.
Touch hearts it does. The track is one of Sizwe Dhlomo’s favourites and he explained his interpretation of the song on Kaya Drive previously.
Calling it a beautiful song about a love that overcomes anything, Sizwe said not even the tumultuous and turbulent sea can stop true love. “That is Lwandle!” Sizwe shared on-air.
Everything about the track lingers, from the touching lyrics to the melodic voices of both Zano and Hlobeautiful. The rhythm of the song pulses through and definitely touches hearts.
From AFDA and medicine to duets
Both artists are from Mpumalanga and their collaboration made for one of the most poetic ballads of the year.
Getting into music was never a priority for the duo, but aren’t South Africans pleased that their musical gifts guided them to put together this chart-topper.
Hlobile Makukule better known as Hlobeautiful for one studied acting at AFDA. Her father had always pushed her to get into something that dealt with the sciences. Academics were important in her family and she studied Actuarial Science at the University of Pretoria.
“I did it you know because it’s what my dad said was important. 1st year and 2nd year I even got distinctions which was a marvel because it’s notorious for being a difficult course. But it got to a point where I got into depression. I was not happy, waking up and going to class, I didn’t have the strength to do it anymore,” Hlobeautiful explained to Keyez.
Reality hit her when she saw her future working on projects in corporate over a 6-day work week. She could not see herself doing that and her path in the arts kept calling her.
Thankfully her family understood when she registered at AFDA instead of TUKs. Hlobeautiful auditioned for Idols SA and the rest as they say is her breakthrough into the industry.
Zano on the other hand wanted to be a doctor. Growing up in the 80s there were only a few designated careers that black children were reared for. Medicine was what Zano felt was going to be his calling in life.
“I was watching a surgical documentary on SABC when I was younger and that changed my mind. There was so much blood and I knew I would never be able to get passed all that blood. Blood gushing out, nah that’s not me. My elder brother was in a choir in eKasi and I’d go watch them. I grew up under that culture and at the back of my mind, I had always been influenced by music. It was only when I got into Grade 11 that I consciously made a choice, that I wanted to be a musician,” Zano shared.
Coming from a mining township, Zano felt his path was already pre-determined for him to join the biggest mining company in his hometown. He was advised against getting into music because everyone he shared his dreams with told him about Mahlathini, a musician who died poor.
“I stuck to my guns and we laugh about it now but when I told my dad at the time that I won’t be studying Chemical Engineering, my dad was pissed,” Zano told Keyez
Listen to Zano and Hlobeautiful on The Ultimate Kaya 959 Top 30:
Leap of faith
Taking a leap of faith led Zano into the SA music industry and he got into writing his own songs. He went onto released albums Colours Of My Soul, Grand piano only, Téra de Cunfì, Emily – EP, Hoodlovers, Blind Faith – EP.
Instrumental in SA house music, Zano worked on many songs including the hit Hello which was produced by Grammy nominee Black Coffee.
Hlobeautiful doesn’t want to be considered a one-hit wonder and she’s working on her follow-up musical steps.
“You can say I’ve made my mark after I’ve had my 3rd No.1 song in a row. The market is saturated right now and amapiano is taking the world by storm. So, I need to just know what the next step is and I don’t think I’ve made it yet,” Hlobeautiful shared.
Hlo’ shared what Zano initially blue-ticked her on WhatsApp and she was the one who pushed him to get together to work on Lwandle.
Watch Zano and Hlobeautiful’s full interview on the Ultimate Kaya 959 Top 30 here: Zano & Hlobeautiful talk Lwandle
