In celebration of Women’s Month, four SA female music artists are being honoured by Apple Music.
International amapiano DJ and producer Uncle Waffles, neo-R&B songstress Elaine, Afro-pop singer-songwriter Nomfundo Moh, and pop R&B doyenne Nanette Mbili, will each grace the covers of the global music platform’s Alpha playlist.
These music change-makers join the likes of Beyoncé, who was the first artist to grace the cover earlier this year.
“I’m really honoured to be featured in Apple Music’s Alpha campaign. Beyoncé was right, girls do run the world,” said Uncle Waffles, whose real name is Lungelihle Zwane.
The playlist will touch on everything womanhood is about and is a place where listeners can find love and intimacy, hope and validation, intensity and rawness.
According to a statement: “It’s also a place for starting conversations, uplifting one another and challenging notions through the simple matter of being, ideas that each artist understands and has endeavoured to implement throughout their careers.”
Following the success of her singles, singer and songwriter Elaine (real name Ndivhuwo Elaine Mukheli), said: “I’m honoured to be featured on the Alpha playlist, especially at such a monumental time for the South African music landscape and more so, for the women involved.”
She added that she represents women who are not afraid to embrace their superpower and vulnerability.
“This platform not only amplifies our voices as women shaping and influencing the culture in a male-dominated industry, but it also connects me to the many women I sing and write for.”
Meanwhile, for Moh (real name Nomfundo Ngcobo), being a female artist is “mighty”.
“Not everyone has the ability to break chains that are meant to limit their creativity, only a superhuman can conquer such ... We’re about to break more chains through our music,” she added in the statement.
Nanette (real name Nanette Mbili), who grew up in a household of predominantly girls, said it made her confident in the strength and tenacity of a woman.
“My first example of immense strength was my grandmother. She and my mother taught me to take pride in everything it means to be a woman, from vulnerability to adaptability.
“Women are a force to be reckoned with and I’m glad I get to express my womanhood in its purest form using music.”
∎ The Alpha playlists are currently available to stream on Apple Music.