Amapiano sensation Zee Nxumalo has shared insight into her creative process, revealing that freestyling is the secret behind some of her biggest songs. During a recent appearance on Spotify’s Culture Club, the singer explained that she feels more confident creating music spontaneously than sitting down to write lyrics, a method that helped bring one of her standout collaborations, “Ama Gear,” to life.
Speaking candidly about her songwriting approach, Zee said freestyling allows her to express herself more naturally and capture ideas the moment inspiration strikes.
“I’m a good freestyler more than I am a good writer. I’m extremely good with freestyling,” she said.
Rather than spending hours writing verses before entering the recording booth, Zee explained that she prefers listening to a beat and allowing melodies and lyrics to flow naturally. It is a creative process that has become one of her greatest strengths and continues to shape her signature sound.
The singer used “Ama Gear” as an example of how effective that approach can be. The hit collaboration, featuring Dlala Thukzin, Funky Qla, Zee Nxumalo and MK Productions, was released in July 2024 as part of Dlala Thukzin’s acclaimed 031 Studio Camp project. The song quickly became one of the project’s standout records, earning widespread praise from fans and gaining impressive traction across streaming platforms.
Reflecting on the recording session, Zee revealed that the song was born before Dlala Thukzin had even stepped into the studio.
“So when I did Ama Gear, it was a freestyle. Thukzin was out and busy, they played a beat and I started freestyling and then he got inside and said, ‘Now we’re talking,’” she recalled.
According to Zee, Dlala Thukzin immediately recognised the song’s potential. After hearing her freestyle, the producer wasted no time getting to work, beginning to mix the track almost instantly before heading out to perform.
For Zee, that moment confirmed that something special had been created. She noted that producers often begin refining a song immediately when they know they have captured the right sound, and that was exactly what happened with “Ama Gear.”
Her story offers fans a behind-the-scenes look at how quickly great music can come together when creativity flows naturally. Instead of relying solely on carefully written lyrics, Zee embraces the spontaneity of freestyling, allowing emotions and melodies to develop organically in the studio.
The success of “Ama Gear” further strengthened the creative partnership between Zee Nxumalo, Dlala Thukzin, Funky Qla and MK Productions while adding another hit to Zee’s growing catalogue. As one of Amapiano’s brightest young stars, her ability to transform spontaneous ideas into chart-worthy songs continues to set her apart and showcases the raw talent that has fuelled her rapid rise in the industry.
