DJ Zinhle has released her highly anticipated self-titled EP, ZINHLE, an eight-track Afro-house project that celebrates the sound that made her one of Africa’s biggest dance music stars while showcasing her artistic evolution.
The project marks another milestone in a career spanning nearly two decades, with the award-winning DJ and producer revisiting the uplifting Afro-house sound that first earned her widespread acclaim. Blending infectious rhythms, rich melodies and collaborations with some of the country’s rising and established talents, ZINHLE serves as both a celebration of her musical journey and a glimpse into her future.
“This project is deeply personal because it represents who I am at my core,” says DJ Zinhle.
“ZINHLE is about returning to the music that made people fall in love with my sound while embracing everything I’ve learned along the way. I wanted to create a body of work that feels joyful, uplifting and timeless, music that brings people together, whether they’re on a dancefloor, in the car, or celebrating life’s moments.”
The EP features an impressive list of collaborators, including DJ Lace, DJ Cliad, Funk Tone, Thobani White, Msindo’Listo, Nayvee Womculo and Nia Pearl, with each artist adding their own flavour while complementing DJ Zinhle’s signature production style.
Leading the project is Uthando, featuring Thobani White and Nayvee Womculo. Built on warm Afro-house rhythms, soaring melodies and emotive vocals, the song explores themes of love, connection and togetherness while delivering the infectious groove that has become synonymous with DJ Zinhle’s music.
The release follows the success of lead singles Baba Yilwa and Njengemali, both of which introduced listeners to the EP’s vibrant direction ahead of its release. Baba Yilwa has enjoyed an impressive run, spending 11 weeks on South African radio charts while accumulating more than 11 million streams across digital platforms. Its official music video has also attracted over 4.3 million views on YouTube.
For DJ Zinhle, the project represents more than just another release. It reflects both her enduring legacy and her continued growth as an artist who has helped shape the sound of South African dance music while inspiring a new generation of DJs and producers.
With music crafted for festivals, celebrations and dancefloors, ZINHLE reinforces DJ Zinhle’s reputation as one of Africa’s most influential electronic music pioneers, proving that timeless dance music continues to evolve while staying true to its roots.
