Following the release of his deeply emotional new single, “Buyelekhaya,” ReaDaSoul is inviting listeners into one of the most personal chapters of his musical journey. Featuring De Soul and Miss Q, the soulful Amapiano offering explores themes of love, longing, healing, and the realization that home is not always a place – it can be a person.
The single has quickly resonated with listeners thanks to its heartfelt storytelling and intimate production. Speaking to The Yanos Magazine, ReaDaSoul shared the inspiration behind the song, the collaborative process, and what fans can expect from his upcoming Head Above Water EP.
1. “Buyelekhaya” is described as your most vulnerable release to date. What personal experiences or emotions inspired the song?
The story behind the song is best told by Miss Q, who wrote it. She was inspired by a former lover whom she deeply misses and longs to return. The song captures those emotions of yearning, love, and the hope of reconnecting with someone who once felt like home.
2. The title suggests that “home” is a person rather than a place. What does this concept mean to you personally?
A place can offer shelter, comfort, and familiarity, but a person can give you something even deeper: acceptance. When someone becomes your home, they are the person you don’t have to perform for. They’re the person you can be completely yourself around – the good, the bad, the messy, and the unfinished. Their presence creates a sense of peace and belonging that no physical place can replace.
3. How did the collaboration with De Soul and Miss Q come about, and what did each artist bring to the record?
After taking a short break from music, I returned to the studio and started working on the beat. A few weeks later, after sitting with it and not knowing exactly where to take it, I sent it to De Soul. He completed the production, handled the composition and arrangement, and ultimately mixed and mastered the song. He also recorded the vocals that Miss Q laid down. Together, they helped transform an idea into a fully realised record.
4. How did you balance the emotions of pain, hope, vulnerability, and unconditional love in the songwriting and recording process?
The process was rooted in honesty rather than perfection. It was about allowing real experiences and emotions to guide the music. Through both the beautiful moments and the painful ones, we found meaning in the journey and allowed that authenticity to shape the song.
5. What drew you toward the softer, more intimate Amapiano sound used in “Buyelekhaya”?
I grew up listening to a lot of deep house music long before Amapiano became what it is today. Much of the music I create is influenced by the sounds that shaped my childhood, and this song naturally reflects those early musical influences while embracing a softer and more intimate approach.
6. What was your reaction when you received the completed version of the track back from De Soul?
I was genuinely surprised. I hadn’t expected to receive a fully completed song because, in my mind, the original version already felt complete. Hearing how De Soul elevated it while preserving its emotional essence was a really special moment.
7. Why was it important to include Miss Q’s voice in the emotional narrative of the song?
Miss Q is incredibly talented. Once I heard her abilities as both a songwriter and vocalist, the decision was easy. She brought a level of emotion, authenticity, and storytelling that was essential to bringing the song’s message to life.
8. How does “Buyelekhaya” connect to or continue the themes from your previous album?
My previous album, Naamah, explored love through a spiritual and religious lens. Buyelekhaya feels like what comes after that journey – the aftermath of love once everything has unfolded. It’s reflective, honest, and deals with the emotions that remain when the dust settles.
9. As the lead single for your upcoming Head Above Water EP, what does this track reveal about the direction of the project?
More than anything, it reveals a sense of hope. The Head Above Water EP is filled with songs that remind listeners that healing is possible, growth is possible, and that things do get better, even after difficult seasons.
10. What do you hope listeners who are experiencing heartbreak or longing take away from this song?
I hope they take away the understanding that home isn’t always a physical place. Sometimes home exists in human form. The song is a reminder of the deep connections we share with others and the impact those connections can have on our lives, even when they’re no longer present.
With “Buyelekhaya,” ReaDaSoul delivers not only a beautiful song but a heartfelt reflection on love, memory, and finding hope after loss.
Stream “Buyelekhaya” HERE.
