Amapiano DJ, producer, and hitmaker T-Man SA has officially opened a new chapter in his career with the release of his highly anticipated album Second Move. More than just a project, the 18-track body of work reflects his growth as an artist, his personal journey, and his evolution in sound.
In a recent interview with IOL, T-Man SA, real name Thando Magagule, explained the depth of the project and how much of himself he poured into it. “The whole album is personal to me because it’s where I come from and my experiences. I’ve been doing the work, and I’ve been patient. I’ve been believing in myself, and now the work is showing,” he said.
Leading up to the release, he dropped the single Success featuring Aymos, which narrates his story from humble beginnings to where he stands today at 27. Having started music at a young age and officially debuting in 2015, T-Man SA has experimented with genres such as Gqom and commercial house before finding his voice in Amapiano. He describes Second Move as his “spiritual sound.”
“I’d actually say this is a spiritual sound, and I believe people will receive it the way I want them to receive it. I believe it’s going to be my new style, my new way of expressing myself,” he explained.
The album features collaborations with heavyweights including Mthandazo Gatya, Sykes, Sizwe Alakine, Professor, Oskido, and even popular podcaster MacG. Notably, the song Baleka came together thanks to MacG, who connected Professor and Sizwe Alakine to the project. “Shoutout to him (MacG), he’s my guy. He’s like my toolbox when something is tough for me,” T-Man SA revealed.
He has also formed a strong bond with industry legend Oskido, who not only admires his production but has also become a mentor. “Sometimes he calls me and says, ‘I have this song, I need you here, to do some mixing and mastering,’” T-Man SA shared.
Balancing his roles as a producer, sound engineer, and performer is no small feat, but his passion drives him. “When you’re doing something that you love, even when the workload is a lot… you won’t be lazy for it,” he said.
Second Move dropped on a Thursday instead of the typical Friday release cycle, and the reception has already been overwhelmingly positive, with fans praising its soulful sound and eagerly awaiting music videos.
