Nathi Mankayi Opens Up About His Forthcoming ‘Hip-Hop Amapiano And Gospel’ Infused Album. Nkosinathi Mankayi, professionally known as Nathi, is a South African singer-songwriter and artist. He shot to the limelight upon releasing his critically acclaimed song titled “Nomvula” off his triple-platinum debut studio album Buyelekhaya. He later released his second album titled Umbulelo Wam on 28 October 2016.
The award-winning muso describes it as a spiritual piece of art, with a bit of every music genre for various palates. The first track, Ithemba, is emotionally charged, a gospel rendition meant to open the 12-track album in prayer. The second and third are original ‘Nathi style’ R&B love letters written for a loved one. There is also a dance track titled Angeke.
Mankayi said he intentionally made his latest offering after a four-year hiatus, a coleslaw to give his listeners a bit of everything – hip-hop, amapiano, gospel and the original love songs he is famous for. The star says he has been working on his album Usiba Lwe Gazi for four years. He said: “I was in the studio and Covid-19 hit. I was interrupted and then I also lost my parents and everything happening hit me hard and made me stop for a while and focus on those things.
The new album was released under Mankayi’s record label Mankayi Media in collaboration with Gallo Records and Open Mic. This is the star’s second album outside of Muthaland Entertainment, which discovered him in 2014 and released his first album the following year.
