Nobantu Vilakazi is carving her own path, reminding her fans why they first fell in love with her music.
Image: Instagram
With the release of her latest single “Abafana Base Goli”, vocalist Nobantu Vilakazi is once again putting lived experiences at the centre of her music as she continues to define her identity on her own terms.
The Soweto-born artist, widely recognised as the “First Lady of Amapiano”, continues to carve out her own lane in a genre that opened doors for her, using storytelling.
Known for her contribution to “Vula Mlomo”, a song that propelled her to greater heights, Vilakazi has been intentionally working towards creating her own path by releasing solo work that reflects her voice and perspective.
Her song “Abafana Base Goli” taps into a reality many women are familiar with. The excitement of being desired, the charm that pulls you in, and the disappointment that follows when loyalty goes missing.
The song title alludes to the fact that it’s usually boys from Johannesburg when translated into English.
Speaking to “Independent Media Lifestyle”, the 30-year-old singer revealed the song was a reflection of everyday experiences women talk about all the time. While she was not going through that situation when she recorded the track, it was something she had experienced before, which made it easy to tap into emotionally.
“I’m more of a storyteller,” she explained. Sometimes that storytelling comes from personal experiences, and other times from things she has observed closely.
“Abafana Base Goli” also marks a conscious step in reclaiming her own lane as a lead artist. On the track, she collaborates with DBN Gogo, Lady Du and Tman Express, while remaining firmly at the centre of the narrative.
Being dubbed the “First Lady of Amapiano” has come with its own set of challenges. Vilakazi admits that at one point she shifted towards DJing, partly to adapt to an industry where vocalists were not always getting booked.
“I don’t think I did enough justice to the crown,” she admitted. “People loved me for the chants, the storytelling, the singing.”
While DJing helped her stay visible, she says it also created distance between her and fans who connected with her voice first.
“I feel like I need to go back on stage and give people the Nobantu they know,” she said. “Being called the First Lady of Amapiano was because of my vocal ability.”
Now, as she steps more confidently into her solo era, she feels called back to centre stage. Singing, performing and connecting through vocals is where she feels most herself.
The “My Help (Umncedi)” singer credits her collaborations for shaping her confidence and opening doors. Those moments helped build relationships and gave her the freedom to now lead her own projects.
“All the features I worked on groomed me into the person I am now,” she said. “Without them, the world wouldn’t have known who Nobantu Vilakazi is. I’m just grateful.”
Vilakazi remains focused on consistency, growth and staying present, as she works towards her debut body of work.