Genre-bending artist Big Xhosa and Lwando turn the instruction every woman knows into a light-hearted, genre-bending anthem for men who need a little encouragement to open their wallets
Big Xhosa has never been an artist interested in staying in one lane. Unconventional, unpredictable, and impossible to neatly box in, he brings light-heartedness, character, and fearless experimentation to his music. With “Wapheni Imali”, he once again turns an everyday idea into something distinctly his – playful, genre-fluid and built to get people talking and moving.
In his latest single “Wapheni Imali”, Big Xhosa is not asking men where the money is. He is telling them what to do with it!
The artist, real name Sesethu Myeki, has teamed up with Lwando for his cheeky and unapologetic song built around a simple instruction: men, give women money. There is no financial lecture behind it and certainly no complicated relationship theory. “Wapheni Imali” takes a familiar part of everyday relationships and turns it into something people can dance to and, depending on who is listening, perhaps take a little too seriously.
The track blends Mbaqanga, Maskandi, Afro-soul and Hip-Hop, creating an eclectic South African sound that matches Big Xhosa’s equally unpredictable approach to music.
The song plays with the idea of men being expected to come through financially, with Big Xhosa delivering the message with enough personality to make the instruction feel more like a party anthem than a demand.
“Wapheni Imali” translates to “give her money” – and Big Xhosa does not spend the song trying to disguise the message. The appeal of the track is in its simplicity. It takes something that can become a serious conversation in relationships and strips it down to a playful musical command.
“Wapheni Imali is me having fun with something that happens in real life. The message is simple – men, give women money. Don’t overthink it,” says Big Xhosa.
With Lwando joining him on the track, the two artists bring an energetic chemistry to a song designed to get people talking as much as it is designed to get them moving.
From viral controversy to musical versatility
Big Xhosa, born Sesethu Myeki in the Eastern Cape, first stepped into the spotlight through a diss track that mentioned prominent South African rappers. The track became a viral phenomenon, attracting millions of views online and introducing audiences to an artist who had little interest in following the conventional route into the music industry. But the viral moment was only the beginning.
Big Xhosa went on to collaborate with some of South Africa’s biggest names, including Big Zulu, Cassper Nyovest, Major League DJz, Robot Boii and Janta, while continuing to develop his own identity as an artist and entertainer.
His appeal has always extended beyond simply making music. He has an ability to turn everyday situations into songs that have become part of his creative language.
That approach remains firmly intact on “Wapheni Imali”.
“I have always been someone who is versatile and likes to have fun with music. I can make a song that makes you think, but I can also make a song that makes you laugh and dance. I don’t want to lose that part of myself,” he says.
A new chapter with Asanda Empires
“Wapheni Imali” also arrives as Big Xhosa enters a new phase of his career under new management with Asanda Empires, a growing force in artist management. The partnership comes as the artist looks to build on the audience and recognition he has accumulated since his breakthrough, while creating more opportunities for music, collaborations, and performances.
For Asanda Empires, the focus is on developing Big Xhosa’s career without sanding away the personality that made him stand out in the first place. The new chapter allows Big Xhosa to continue experimenting with different sounds and concepts while pushing his catalogue beyond the viral moments that initially introduced him to a wider audience.
“Working with an artist as unconventional, boundary-pushing and genre-fluid as Big Xhosa is exciting. He has no creative ceiling – he can move from humour to depth, switch sounds and still make everything feel authentically him. Our job is to give that imagination room to grow,” says Naledi Zibi, talent manager at Asanda Empires.
At its heart, “Wapheni Imali” is exactly what its title promises.
