South African singer Zolani Mahola is set to release a deeply personal collaboration with the late rapper Bravo Le Roux, titled “XhosaNostra”, a song that carries special significance as it features one of the final verses he recorded before his death. The song will be released on June 4 and is a tribute to Le Roux’s life, artistry, and contribution to South African music.
Announcing the release, Mahola reflected on the song’s significance and the legacy Le Roux leaves behind. “Before he left us, Bravo Le Roux gave us one final verse,” she wrote. “‘XhosaNostra’ became the last song he ever recorded. And you can hear all of him in it. Khayelitsha, isiXhosa, truth, pride and the fearless spirit that made his voice so important. This is a moment frozen in time. A piece of him that now lives with all of us.”
XhosaNostra: A Celebration of Cultural Pride and Heritage
The release carries emotional significance for both artists and their supporters. For Mahola, the track serves as a tribute to Le Roux’s life, artistry, and contribution to South African music. Born Sinesipho Peter, Le Roux built a reputation as one of the leading voices in contemporary isiXhosa hip hop. Through his music, he celebrated township culture, identity, and community while remaining deeply connected to his roots in Khayelitsha.
“XhosaNostra” brings those themes to the forefront. The song celebrates cultural pride, heritage, and Xhosa identity through a blend of Le Roux’s rap verses and Mahola’s vocals. The collaboration also marks a new creative direction for Mahola, who steps into a gqom-inspired electronic sound for the first time in her career. The genre choice reflects her desire to embrace a distinctly South African sound that resonates both locally and internationally, as seen in the work of other artists such as Black Coffee.
A New Creative Direction for Zolani Mahola
The track was produced alongside Grammy-nominated producer Hannah V and forms part of Mahola’s upcoming solo album, “People Power”. The single also arrives as the first release under Mahola’s partnership with Virgin Music Group, offering listeners an early glimpse into the next phase of her solo career. Le Roux died at the age of 30 while in Switzerland, and his death was met with an outpouring of grief across the South African creative community.
Some of the key aspects of Le Roux’s legacy and Mahola’s collaboration include:
- Celebration of cultural pride and heritage
- A blend of traditional and modern sounds
- A tribute to Le Roux’s life and artistry
- A new creative direction for Mahola
Tributes came from fellow artists, fans, and public figures who remembered him as a gifted storyteller and mentor committed to uplifting emerging talent. As Mahola prepares to release “XhosaNostra”, she is also working with other artists to promote the South African music scene, as seen in the efforts of the South African Music Development Agency.
