South African amapiano vocalist Zee Nxumalo has opened up about her musical journey and how artists like Emtee inspired her when she first started making music as a rapper.
The rising star recently reflected on her evolution as an artist during an interview on Gagasi FM, where she spoke honestly about how her sound developed over time. Before becoming one of the recognizable voices in amapiano, Zee Nxumalo originally entered the music scene as a rapper under the name Zee The Toxic.
According to the singer, her early style was heavily influenced by rappers she admired at the time, especially Emtee, whose melodic approach to hip hop left a lasting impact on her creative direction.
“When I started music, I was very much inspired by the likes of Emtee, so I used to sound like them a lot when I did music because obviously I was inspired by them,” she shared during the interview.
Zee Nxumalo explained that being influenced by established artists was a natural part of her growth as a musician. Like many young creatives entering the industry, she began by studying and drawing inspiration from artists whose music resonated with her personally.
Over time, however, her artistic journey gradually led her toward discovering her own identity and sound. As she continued experimenting with music and improving her craft, she eventually found herself transitioning from rap into amapiano — a move that would later help establish her as one of the genre’s promising vocalists.
“But now I got my own sound, I have found my sound,” she proudly said.
The vocalist also spoke about the importance of patience and consistency in music, encouraging upcoming artists to trust the process of growth and self-discovery. According to Zee Nxumalo, artistic development takes time, and musicians eventually become more confident in who they are creatively.
“It gets better with time, the talent gets better, you eventually find your sound,” she added.
Her story reflects the reality many artists experience when beginning their careers. Inspiration often plays a major role in shaping an artist’s early work before they evolve into their own style. For Zee Nxumalo, that process helped guide her away from rap and into amapiano, where she has continued gaining recognition for her vocals and energetic performances.
Today, Zee Nxumalo is making waves in the South African music industry and continues to build her name with every release. Her journey from Zee The Toxic to becoming a rising amapiano star highlights the power of growth, experimentation, and persistence in the entertainment industry.
With new music on the horizon, fans are excited to see how she continues evolving as an artist while staying true to the sound she has now made her own.
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