LISTEN | Malik explains how voicenote got his song onto popular TV series

Afrohouse singer, songwriter and producer Malik Zwane is gearing up for the launch of his 16-track album Malik. It is his first release since a single in 2022.

Malik released the self-titled album in November 2024. The album, a combination of Afrosoul, Afrobeat, a few RnB rhythms and singalong melodies like Testify, has won the hearts of many.

The launch to take place on March 9 at Butcher 2.0 in Daveyton, Ekurhuleni, with an exciting line-up including Vusi Nova, Sliq Angel, Ishmael, Sean Samassa and Paul Mtirara.

Malik sat down on Tshishapod at Arena Holdings in Parktown to gave his insight on the break he took for two years and his musical journey so far. During the interview he highlighted how his song Gqeberha ended up being used on a TV drama.

"A friend of mine, Percy Vilakazi, gave me a call that there's a new drama series coming up and the song needs to resonate with the audience. I sent him a voicenote recording of a song which I recorded, but it didn't have lyrics," he said.

"Then he came back to me that I need to add lyrics. A couple of months later, I received a call from him that the song will be [used on] Mzansi Magic's Gqeberha — and the rest is history."

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Malik's album features collaborations with musicians like Trevor Mako, Dlala Regal, Gedleza, Ringo Madlingozi and Vusi Nova. The album includes inspirational songs like Moya Wami and Fly featuring Vusi Nova, as well as vibey tracks Ungowam, Gqeberha and Pata Pata.