@AppleMusic Announces @vanco_sa As The Latest 'Isgubhu' Cover Star

Apple Music today announced multi-hyphenate house DJ and producer, Vanco (real name Kudzai Mawoyo) as the next 'Isgubhu' cover star.

“I feel honoured to be part of Apple Music’s Isgubhu playlist movement and to play a part in the distribution of our electronic sound, which is really making a difference in the global dance music space. It’s something to be very proud of and we can all celebrate together as African dance music creators and lovers.”

To celebrate their feature, Vanco has also created an exclusive Isgubhu playlist that champions the warm, feel-good nature of African dance music and the positivity it invokes. “I am excited to be sharing a part of me musically because this is one of ways I can fully express myself and communicate with music lovers. Feel-good music is bliss. This playlist comprises of a few club cuts I have been playing throughout the year on my world tour, and some of the music I like to listen to on a day off,” he tells Apple Music. 

Hailing from Douglasdale in the North of Johannesburg, Vanco’s music has steadily traversed dance floors around the world, while he has shared the stage with Black Coffee, Bob Sinclar, Black Motion, Da Capo, and DJ Shimza to name but a few. 

 The release of his highly-anticipated five-track EP, 'Motherland', available to stream on Apple Music in Spatial Audio, is a collection of eclectic, everyday storytelling that’s rooted in classic house beats and rhythmic African sounds. Spearheaded by its latest anthemic single, “Breaking Away” featuring Bobbi Fallon, Motherland is infused with Vanco’s signature catchy melodies and chords that aim to uplight and inspire and features Oscar Mbo, Nduduzo Makhathini, Hart the band, Kususa, Njabuloseh, Viwo Kulati and Bonokuhle.

Taking over Isgubhu By… for this month is Ghanaian selector AD DJ (real name Adom Samuel Opoku) who is a tenacious radio, club and event DJ whose varied DJ Mixes like Club Crates Pt 1, Club Crates Pt 2,  and Club Crates Pt 3 have made an impact on Apple Music.

"So I came up with this Top 10 based on the fact that they reflect the true nature and culture of the individual artist and their background. These are songs created by producers, who understand, and have a connection with their people without losing touch with the outside world. Most of these albums had success not only in their countries, but globally. These are my picks not only because they did well digitally but also because it’s a complete body of work that carries out various messages, and brings some money to the ear of the listener that’s myself, AD DJ,” he tells Apple Music.

Launched in early 2021, Isgubhu is the definitive home of African Dance and Electronic music on Apple Music and spotlights and elevates the work of African Electronic DJs, producers and creatives. Isgubhu, a Zulu word meaning beat and used to refer to a banging song, pays homage to an evergreen set of genres and the African artists who have played a pivotal role in shaping the Dance and Electronic scene across the world.

Isgubhu also houses a collection of playlists including Spotlight On - a focus on boutique labels like Soul Candi, House Afrika, Stay True Sounds and Uganda’s Hakuna Kulala & Nyege Nyege Tapes and Isgubhu Voices - a focus on the best Dance and Electronic tracks that feature vocals.

Check out the 'Isghubu' playlist below: