LISTEN | Big Zulu and Sjava chat all things Inkabi Zezwe & topping charts

With a joint album on the way, Sjava and Big Zulu's first single Umbayimbayi has reached platinum status with more than 2.8-million streams.

The two artists, who have dubbed themselves Inkabi Zezwe, seem to be a winning combo as they continue to top the music charts. 

Their new hit song is number three on Apple Music’s Top 100 South Africa chart and is still #1 on iTunes. On Spotify Umbayimbayi has maintained its number one position on Made in South Africa, on YouTube the song is on the Top 100 Songs South Africa, boasting 818K streams on the audio, and on TikTok audio 110K streams.

“Maturity and respecting each other, more than anything, was key in this collaboration. I'm glad this is happening now because it is the right time, we have grown and seen a lot. Apart from what's happening now, we have had ideas to work on something,” Big Zulu told TshisaLIVE.

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Their brotherhood, which spans more than a decade, has them planning to release an album in May and tour, starting on June 24 at the Sun Arena.

“When I was working with Big Zulu, [he] helped me get through the rut I was in. This was more than just music for me. I can make music that is more bright and commercial, which I haven't done since 2016. His energy helped me draw inspiration as well. I was happy the whole time recording the album,” Sjava said.

This is not a one-off joint project the two stars plan to release. Sjava and Big Zulu have assured their fans they have more in the pipeline.

“It is our dream to continue working together, because the collaboration is like a newborn. The work is growing, there are projects, at this point we are doing the ground work ... after that we will be able to have other people to work on this.”

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