Nakupenda isn’t just a song; it’s a continental conference set to rhythm, a moment where some of Africa’s strongest musical energies collide on one battlefield of bass and melody.
The South African DJ duo TxC, queens of the Amapiano nightlife circuit, join forces with Nigerian superstars Davido, Zlatan, and rising talent Shoday to create a record that feels less like a collaboration and more like a cultural handshake between regions.
Even its title, Nakupenda, Swahili for “I love you”, hints at a sound crafted to travel across borders without needing translation.
At the heart of the track lies the unmistakable pulse of Amapiano: the rolling log drums, the deep, rumbling basslines, and the shimmering synth layers that TxC have mastered through years of ruling dancefloors from Johannesburg to Cape Town.
But Nakupenda is not boxed into one genre. The moment Davido slides into the beat with his rich, melodic swagger, the sound takes on a distinctly West African glow. Zlatan arrives next with his street-hardened charm, the fast-talking, playful, hyper-animated energy only he can deliver.
What emerges is an electrifying hybrid, the kind of cross-continental fusion that keeps proving Afrobeats and Amapiano are not rivals but rhythm cousins.
The beauty of Nakupenda is in its flow. Despite the star-studded lineup, no one overshadows the other. TxC expertly hold the reins, keeping the tempo consistent and the groove unbroken. Davido’s verse feels like sunlight, warm, assured, instantly catchy.
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Zlatan bursts through like a spark, adding humour and grit. And then there’s Shoday, the young gun, whose presence signals the future: new voices rising confidently alongside giants. Rather than sounding like four artists stitched onto a beat, the track feels like a well-rehearsed relay — each act passing energy to the next.
In the grand picture, Nakupenda captures the state of African dance music in 2025. Genre walls are gone. Amapiano isn’t just South African anymore; Afrobeats isn’t just Nigerian; and African pop is no longer regional, it’s global currency. This track is built to travel, engineered for DJs from Lagos rooftops to London lounges to Durban beachfront festivals.
Nakupenda is a celebration of rhythm, of unity, and of the undeniable magic that happens when Africa’s finest join hands. Expect it to be one of the season’s most unforgettable party starters — a soundtrack to nights filled with lights, movement, and pure, unfiltered joy.
Listen to Nakupenda HERE.