The VERVE RoundUp Vol. 7
The start of this year was one hell of a crazy way to begin the year of new music in South Africa. It really had me wondering what kind of New Year’s resolution goals the many musicians had at the beginning of the year, because it clearly had artists kick off their year with a bang.
And of course, I had to bring back my RoundUp series, highlighting the music I had found myself constantly bumping throughout the months of January and February. What I absolutely loved about these past two months were the handful of new artists that I had discovered, and I’m so excited to introduce them to this list.
You should know the drill by now. Relax, get comfy, and enjoy reading the list. Don’t forget, we also have our VERVE RoundUp playlist where you can find all these releases and enjoy them for yourself.
Alem Kabuya - DOG (16 January 2026)
This offering was loaded with experimental alt-tunes that had Kabuya constantly altering and shifting his vocal performance, perfectly aligning his sound with the eerie instrumentals that had crazy Jazz samples floating above every track. I really found myself enjoying how unique and different a sound this was, a complete change to the sonic norms we’re so familiar with.
Alto x Jay Smoke x Loco_Wave - Skhosana’s Bossa (13 February 2025)
This Hip Hop joint oozed with vibes. I adored how groovy the instrumentals sounded, provided by Alto, while the lyrically gifted Smoke and Loco intensified the vibrant energy with their charming bars. You could just tell that the lads had a blast creating this gem, and that’s thanks to their engaging performances.
Asher Gamedze - A Semblance: Of Return (27 February 2026)
Asher really took me on a wild journey through this unforgettable listening experience. Listening to all the different sounds, like the jingles of the bells, the beat of the African drums, and the blaring horns, was all stunning to listen to, and I loved how beautiful all the sounds merged together, crafting this masterpiece of an album.
Ava Like Lava - Third World Popstar (26 February 2026)
Ava continues to elevate her name within the music world, and her latest release showcased exactly why that’s the case. This track had the songbird flaunting her stunning vocal abilities over a gripping electronic Pop instrumental that sounded so brilliant from start to finish.
BoMalone - All In A Day’s Work, Vol.2 (27 February 2026)
Another month, another release from the hungry Hip Hop sensation. This four-track release had Bo stun me with how soothing his rap performances sounded over an array of suave beats. I especially loved the tracks “Shake It Off” and “Free!”.
Ben Reid - WHAT’S THE RUSH? (20 February 2026)
This new single from the rising talent was a bliss to experience. I had a great time listening to Ben’s enchanting performance over a bubbly instrumental that had lovely guitar notes ring above the funky beats of the drums while he narrated his tale of taking things slow and easy in a relationship.
Bvse x B.I.G Henny - Malini? (9 January 2026)
Bvse brought the vibes with this groovy joint. I loved how his voice sounded over the bouncy Hip Hop beat that had me out of my seat and dancing along with the catchy tune. The hook on this track is really what got me, and I found it difficult to get out of my head.
Carla Franco x Sophia Frank - If I Wanted You (27 January 2026)
Seeing these two Popstars combine their gifts on one joint was awesome to see, and I loved how riveting this Pop-Rock anthem sounded. I’ve always been an advocate for artists collaborating with each other, and seeing these two team up to produce this wonderful track was lovely to see and listen to.
Certified Genius - Interracial Love (13 February 2026)
I love how Certified Genius always tackles his art with unfamiliar concepts. Of course, this track focused on the usual tale of love, but this time with a twist, having the gifted musician share his tale of being in an interracial relationship, unveiling the beauty and hardships of being in a relationship of that kind. I also enjoyed how everything sounded, having his gloomy voice float above the clunky Hip Hop instrumental.
C.H.A.D x ItsTheKid - Nobody (14 February 2026)
C.H.A.D has this incredible gift of being so authentic and honest with his audience, always willing to share his experiences with listeners. This track did just that, having the vocalist unveil his love for a special someone and how she’s the only person capable of loving him in such a way. This was a beautiful tune, and I adored both C.H.A.D and ItsTheKid’s singing performances on this love ballad.
Chullz Manko x Mxjesty - Swag Tawk (27 February 2026)
This dynamic duo really stunned me with how exceptional their rap performances were on this exhilarating Hip Hop joint. I enjoyed how their bars and flows sounded over hard Trap instrumentals that sent shivers down my spine. I especially enjoyed the tracks “Big Fish” and “Givenchy Toe Covers”.
D F W N E - I Still Don’t Know But I’m Here Again. (2 January 2026)
D F W N E never fails to impress me. I was already astonished by how spectacular his 2025 project, “R A T L O U”, sounded, so I had high hopes for this release. Everything about this nine-track release was stunning to experience, having the musicians' gloomy vocals shine bright over an array of Jazzy instrumentals that felt so uplifting for any listener.
Dnemas - SUPERSTAR (27 February 2026)
A stirring, soulful tune, Dnemas shook the room with this alluring offering. I loved how smooth and soothing his vocals sounded over a soulful beat as he expressed his emotions of being a superstar and the heights he can reach with such amounts of star quality.
Dwabzi - My Escape (8 January 2026)
A young star in the making, the Capetonian virtuoso shone bright on this jolting release. Dwabzi has this interesting method of merging his raps with a singing cadence that always works so well and sounds wonderful over the hard Hip Hop instrumental.
Freddy L - All (20 February 2026)
The lads have done it once again! I adored how energetic and raucous Freddy’s performance sounded over the electrifying support from Reece and Claus. This crew is notorious for crafting some of the most riveting tunes, and this one definitely falls on that list.
Graciee - SMOKE SIGNALS (7 January 2026)
An artist I’ve kept a close eye on since her release of the track “EVIL EYE” back in 2025, Graciee has this incredible gift of capturing listeners' attention with her angelic voice. This track had her tackle a groovy Afrobeat instrumental, which sounded superb, and her vocals sounded glorious on this lovely release.
heyitskhanyi - pisces (27 February 2026)
What a refreshing listening experience. It’s been a while since I’ve entered the world of Punk-Rock, and I enjoyed every second of listening to this tape. I enjoyed how loud and explosive everything sounded, from the raging guitars, to the booming drums, and of course khanyi’s thundering but melodic performances on this earsplitting tape.
IamSlolo - Kulture (17 February 2026)
Slolo went all out for this release. Everything about this tape sounded fantastic, and I especially loved the beat selections, having thrilling Trap beats (especially on the tracks “Sloloman” and “Good Girls”) that had me cranking the volume to the highest level. I especially loved the features on this track as it introduced me to a wider array of upcoming artists like Slim Lanez, JRoach, and more, all thanks to Slolo’s efforts at always being open to collaborating with other virtuosos.
Imani Basquiat x RGRSNW - Rewind It (5 February 2026)
Double trouble was expected once I saw that these two incredibly gifted vocalists would be combining their talents, crafting a track for the ladies. This romantic release had the duo flaunting their stunning vocal performances as they praised their love and adoration for the ladies in their lives.
In2une x Pumas+Roses - SILENCI (22 January 2026)
The genius of In2une’s production abilities needs to be studied. This mellow but eerie beat created the perfect environment for Pumas to spread his bars in such a suave manner. These two had perfect synergy on this release, and it’s always dope seeing them work together.
INKINGA YOMHLABA x BLCK x TJ Zulu x Sakhile - OKUHLE/IZIBUSISO (11 January 2026)
I absolutely adored how jovial and groovy this number sounded. This release oozed of traditional South African influences, having the performers bless listeners with their angelic voices and harmonies that made it that much of a joy to listen to, and I applaud all the contributors on this classic tune.
Jade Olivia - Glimmer (14 January 2026)
This single by the ascending songbird was so beautiful to listen to. Experiencing how heavenly Jade’s singing performance was on this enchanting track was a moment I will never forget, as her vocals soared above an absorbing instrumental that made listeners feel like they were soaring through the clouds.
James Deacon - Same Old (20 February 2026)
Listening to James Deacon always gives me feelings of tranquility. This single followed that exact formula, having the singer showcase his lovely singing talents backed by hypnotizing guitar strings, and I especially loved the brilliant solo in the middle of this stunning tune.
JEMELL - MY REALITY (28 December 2026)
The amount of anticipation and excitement the VERVE family had for this release was immense. For a long time, we had been waiting for an official release from the sensational singer, and we finally received it. This single was delightful to experience, having the songbird flaunt how amazing a voice she was blessed with over a soulful Neo-inspired instrumental.
JOEY - 47 BARS (25 February 2026)
The “CHAOS” album is finally upon us, and JOEY kicked off his rollout with this fantastic release, having the brilliant lyricist flex his poetic powers over a suave beat provided by his trusted ally Viljar Jorgensen. This was such an entertaining Hip Hop tune to experience, and it’s definitely got me hyped for the album release.
Jordan Downs - Purple (31 January 2026)
The sound of Jordan Downs has always been a challenge for me to fully understand, yet I love it so much. I enjoyed every bit of how gloomy and emotional this project sounded, as it had the vocalist share the darkest truths of his life over raging Rock instrumentals, constantly keeping me captivated from start to finish.
Joshua Futura - PGLANG SOLDIER (13 February 2026)
Further elevating his name within the competitive rap game, Futura dropped this two-track pack that was loaded with explosive numbers. “PGLANG SOLDIER” had Futura go off over a booming instrumental way in such a polished manner, while “VANITY IS FRAGILITY” had the rapper flex his lyrical gifts over a more mature Hip Hop beat. Both were awesome to experience, and it’s only the beginning for the Jozi-based sensation.
Kaypin - YOU CAN'T HIDE THE SUN! (DELUXE EDITION) (30 January 2026)
One of my personal favourite projects to come out of the first quarter of 2026, Kaypin’s execution on this release was top-notch. I love how smooth and melodic this project sounded, from the instrumentals right down to each and every cameo appearance's performance. I especially loved the track “waiting” (alongside Fiji Mageba and PURE), and overall, this whole project was divine to experience.
Keely Crocker - Just Friends (30 January 2026)
A ballad that had the gifted songbird share her experiences of being in a troubling relationship, Keely did a phenomenal job at painting a picture of such a relatable situation. I had a fun time listening to her vocals bounce around an uplifting Pop instrumental that was an absolute vibe to listen to.
Koolaroony - Midnight Sounds (30 January 2026)
This two-bundle release was crazy to listen to. It had me feeling like I was tripping inside the middle of an underground club, grooving to dark and distorted House music. The beat was phenomenal to listen to, having grim and eerie sounds wander above an upbeat House tempo, and it’s awesome to know that one of our own producers produced such sounds.
LEE3x3i - Jackpot (13 January 2026)
Lee just has this unique swagger to his sound, always bringing the fun with his slick bars and flows. This track had the rapper flaunting his poetic gifts over a hypnotizing Hip Hop beat that paired perfectly with his grand performance.
Lelam - Ten to Eight (30 January 2026)
I’ll be honest, I’ve lost count of how many times I came back to this electrifying tune. This Afrohouse number was the perfect track to listen to during the past festive season, as it perfectly captured the vibes and energy of the holiday season, and that feeling of partying throughout the whole night with no worries in mind.
LOUNGE SINGER x Shimii - Static! (2 January 2026)
Witnessing these two incredibly gifted musicians combine their talents for two tracks was brilliant for a music lover like me to see. I loved how LOUNGE SINGER’s sophisticated beats blended so well with Shimii’s first-class storytelling abilities, especially on the track “ERGO”, which was my favourite out of the two tunes.
Love, Tumi x tylerwrldwide - Straight Up (1 February 2026)
Tumi’s ability to craft such heavenly sounds while using somber instrumental sounds and production is one of a wonder. Both tracks (“Straight Up” and “Losing”) were stunningly produced and executed by the outstanding singer as he narrated being in dark and lonely places within loving relationships.
Luk45 x Blanceus - candles! (20 February 2026)
Being my first time experiencing the sounds of Luk45, I was left feeling perplexed at the fact that nobody had informed me of such an outstanding talent. I loved how vibrant 45 made this track sound as he graced his vocals over the bouncy instrumental before Blanceus blessed listeners with his captivating verse. I’ll definitely be keeping a closer eye on both artists' work moving forward!
Luvsick - BACKGROUND CHECK (30 January 2026)
I had a blast listening to this song, and it felt even better experiencing it during a long drive along the coast. This was the perfect summer tune, and Luvsick did a brilliant job at capturing that feeling with the calming Pop instrumentals and his charming vocal performance.
L3bby - #Forever (21 January 2026)
One of the most unique artists I’ve had the pleasure of listening to in the music world, L3bby used this five-track project to further push his distinct distorted sound backed by entrancing instrumentals that were loud and dystopian, transporting listeners to an unknown world of music.
MAKE BOYZ - ENZA (16 January 2026)
A new year always means new beginnings, and this new collective was a refreshing sight to see. I had a blast listening to how explosive this Trap project sounded while seeing an abundance of artists like LeoPr3ttyAugust, Tank Saviour, Tallrickyworldwide, and many more all combine their gifts to make magic together.
Mia Lord - You Made It Easy to Let Go (13 February 2026)
The Indie-Pop princess did outstandingly well on this radiant single. Her vocal performance was full of charm as she swooned listeners with a galvanizing instrumental that had sweet guitar notes strumming above intense beats of the drums. I look forward to more work from Mia, and I have a feeling this year may be the one for her.
Mishy Kope - UNGOWAM (27 February 2026)
I find it hard to capture how wonderful a tune this was from the rising starlet. This release had Mishy speak on the feelings of being loved and having that special person in her life over a slow and melodic instrumental that had simple keynotes from the piano soar above her beaming vocal performance.
Miso Ngubane x Fiji Mageba - Obabamkhulu (18 January 2026)
Oh man, what a sweet little offering from these two stars. Ngubane’s singing on this track was exceptional alongside Mageba’s distinct beats that hold so many jazzy influences that’ll make any Soul lover tear up. The two pulled off an astonishing job with this number, and it’s no surprise, knowing how much talent and potential they hold.
Mxchael Blue - I Love You, Please Don’t Go (14 February 2026)
The fact that this dropped around Valentine’s Day was perfect. This five-track release from the Jozi-based vocalist was stunning to listen to as he wonderfully unveiled more of his experiences of being a hopeless romantic, having to deal with the tough truths of love. Blue’s performances were splendid on every track, and I especially adored the track “I Go Where Your Heart Is” as it had Blue’s vocals float above BMTT.2.0’s bouncy instrumental.
Nosi - Fever (14 February 2026)
It seems like we may have a new Soul starlet in the making. My first time hearing the work of Nosi, I was left impressed by how powerful her vocal performance sounded over the sweet beat that catered so well to her spectacular voice. Nosi has gained herself a new fan, and I look forward to more from her.
Omgeskay - B4 TEO (15 January 2026)
When I usually tap into the underground Hip Hop scene, most tracks incorporate loud and distorted noises that sometimes become too much for me to comprehend (maybe that’s me finally becoming unc). However, this project didn’t seem that way as it still had the familiar underground sounds but with more jovial samples and instrumentals that made sense for me to enjoy, and I thank Omgeskay for delivering a sound of this kind.
Orah & The Kites - Upon a Star (13 Fevruary 2026)
What a stunning release from the stunning group. This Capetonian Indie-Folk band impressed me with how holy everything sounded, having the lead vocalists steal the show with their amazing performances backed by magnetic instrumentals that had my head swinging from side to side while listening.
Oxii Moron - MY LADY (25 February 2026)
Oxii Moron is a new star in my books, and this love ballad proved exactly why. His voice sounded so elegant on this release as he sang about his love and adoration for a special someone in his life in such a gorgeous way. The music world isn’t prepared for what this R&B sensation has in store for the future.
PopSta Richi x Kila G - Isikhalo (27 February 2026)
I honestly love how versatile an artist PopSta Richi is. One moment, he’s pumping out Trap hits to Kwaito to even Rock-inspired music. It was interesting to see him finally shift into more melodic instrumentals, carefully guided by Kila G’s wonderful singing performance. This was refreshing to hear from Richi and is why I love his discography so much.
Pumas+Roses - SLAYTHETUNDRA! (20 February 2026)
Flaunting his delectable bars over an array of debonair Hip Hop instrumentals was spectacular to listen to from the Jozi-based poet. I especially admired the amount of collaborations on this tape, having Pumas work with the likes of LOUNGE SINGER, In2une, Shimii, and Nightmare Henry on this galvanizing project.
Quinlan - Project Q (30 January 2026)
A brand new artist on our radar, Quinlan, had me lifting my jaw off the ground after experiencing this tape for the first time. The intro alone, titled “A mandown on Earth needs our help”, immediately prepared me for what was to come, and I had a great time listening to how impressive Quinaln’s lyrical abilities were on this tape.
rhali? x Khaurus - TOOKA (16 February 2026)
The partnership between these two was so much fun to experience on this groovy joint. I loved how rhali?’s mellow cadence sounded over this jazzy Hip Hop number before Khaurus stole the show with his sensational verse. Overall, this was a refreshing Hip Hop sound for me, and I pray for more sounds like this.
RICKY - Man of The World (20 February 2026)
This was one project I had been anticipating since the first time I saw RICKY’s exceptional rollout. I was not disappointed as this funky four-track release had the intoxicating vocalist showcase his phenomenal craftsmanship as a musician, and tracks like “Money” and “High Roller” proved just that.
Ricky Akimbo - TOY (18 February 2026)
Akimbo keeps getting better and better with every release, and I’m so fortunate to be witnessing his growth. This new release had the rising Rockstar dominate the heavy instrumentals with his jarring vocal performances that had him screaming his lungs out in such a stunning way, and I adored every bit of it.
Sani Lockeheart x C.H.A.D - DANCE4ME (20 February 2026)
Seeing two artists I’m such a fan of working together always puts a smile on my face. Not once did I ever think of these two artists from Cape Town working together, but they created magic with this groovy number. I enjoyed both performances, and I especially loved Sani’s performance with his trusted guitar, which made this track that much better.
Scarface Panda x Ukhona x Palesapetalz - Bimmer (25 February 2026)
Scarface Panda is quickly becoming a favourite within the VERVE family. Every beat he touches turns into gold, and it was great to see him pull in the vocal talents of Ukhona and Palesapetalz over this clunky but alluring instrumental.
Sebaga - Wallflower (23 January 2026)
Sebaga’s performance on this bundle release was exquisite. I especially had a great time listening to “Voidz” as her voice glided above a soft and bubbly instrumental as she sang her story of being confused in a loving relationship.
SILENT IVY - Stages Of Grief (25 January 2026)
An emotional tale of grief and loneliness, IVY pulled off a splendid job at narrating his everyday experiences in such a sublime manner. I also loved the beat selection for this six-track project, having instrumentals with interesting sample choices and Jazzy sounds, especially on my personal favourite track, “Still Breathing”.
Thammy Ndlovu - At The End Of The Day It’s Night (8 January 2026)
The power Thammy and his loyal guitar holds is incredible. The sounds I was hearing while listening to this project were heavenly and I couldn’t help but feel at peace every time I clicked play on this soothing release. I highly recommend listening to this wonderful album and you’ll understand exactly why once you’ve heard it yourself.
The Girlfriends Club - Marjorie (30 January 2026)
One of my personal favourite releases to come out of 2026, The Girlfriends Club’s latest offering was sensational to listen to. The way his voice sounded over the funky instrumentals constantly had me up on my feet and dancing, especially with the track “get close 2 me” which was a blast to vibe to.
The Rocc Lobsters - Hills. (19 December 2026)
The boys really created a classic with this Indie-Rock release. This tune was filled with so much spirit as the guitars and drums laid a lovely foundation for the lead singer to woo listeners away. This crew is quickly becoming one of my favourite bands out there right now.
ThirtyFour - ThirtyFour (26 February 2026)
South Africa may have found their very own version of Bryson Tiller. ThirtyFour’s attempt at advancing the TrapSoul genre with this tape was marvelous to experience as he dominated every single track with his enchanting vocal performances over booming instrumentals.
T!MBO - Reverie. (6 February 2026)
Possibly his best work yet, T!MBO’s latest project was filled with radiance. His way of narrating his tales of having to deal with the hardships of being in love was perfectly described just by the use of his sensational vocal performances, and I loved every one of the cameo appearances on this phenomenal offering from the Capetonian gem.
Uunathi - Love, uu (18 February 2026)
I had a fantastic time listening to this songbird dazzle over this breathtaking offering. With only five tracks, each and every tune had me attracted to her alluring vocal performances that sounded so astonishing over the slow soulful instrumentals, especially on the tracks “uu intro” and “Uthando Lobhlungu”.
Verge - Lyrical Cardio, Vol. 2 (17 February 2026)
Verge finally returned with his popular series, dropping hit after hit with this project release. I loved how the lyricist focused mainly on his raps, dropping hard poetry over suave boom bap beats that had my head constantly bumping up and down. It’s great to see artists carrying the spirit of organic lyricism, and Verge did a top-notch job with this release.
we’re alright - i think not (13 February 2026)
After weeks of waiting and anticipation, the boys from Cape Town finally pulled through with this funky offering that sounded so good in my ears. I loved how all the instruments merged in such a perfect way, creating the perfect tone and setting for Ziev to perform his heart out with his spectacular vocals, and I’m so happy with the results of their debut project.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
John Conrad x Keely Crocker - Supermarket Sweethearts (13 February 2026)
Lonnie Mak - ANTI: Access On The Down Low (21 February 2026)
Rowyn Coetzee - Protect Me (13 February 2026)
Sleezz - Like This (20 February 2026)
Teagan - Little Things (30 January 2026)
Stanley Branson - Ufuna’bani ? (16 February 2026)
Thangz x ProdigyWorldwide - Asambe (26 January 2026)
Sophia Frank - Borderline Valentine (13 February 2026)
MaS Genesis - AFRO BOOM BAP FM (15 January 2026)
TRP Don Gy - Honey I’m Home! (4 January 2026)
