Lizwi & Tommy Veanud unite on UNqamlezo as Afro House release draws from spiritual themes and African rhythms

Lizwi and Tommy Veanud join forces on ‘UNqamlezo’, a powerful Afro House single rooted in African music traditions, driven by organic percussion, tribal rhythms, and melodic elements. The track is led by Lizwi’s vocal in IsiZulu, with Tommy Veanud keeping the production controlled so the vocal remains the main focus. Instead of building the track around drops or constant changes, the arrangement stays steady, allowing the rhythm and vocal to carry it. That choice keeps the meaning of the record clear while still making it usable in a club setting.

Breaking Down UNqamlezo

‘UNqamlezo’ translates to “The Cross”, and the message is centred on faith, protection, and remembering a higher presence during difficult moments. The lyrics are direct and do not rely on interpretation, which makes the message easy to follow even for listeners who do not understand IsiZulu. Lizwi’s delivery keeps the tone consistent, with no unnecessary vocal effects that would take attention away from the words themselves.

The production follows a clear Afro House structure. The percussion drives the track, with tribal drum patterns layered to maintain a steady groove without sounding repetitive. Melodic elements are used sparingly, which prevents the track from becoming overcrowded and allows DJs to use it during longer transitions. This also makes it easier to blend with other records in the same tempo range, especially in extended Afro House sets where maintaining flow is more important than switching energy quickly.

Artist Context Behind The Record

Lizwi, from Durban, South Africa, has developed a catalogue that focuses on vocal-led Afro House, often using isiZulu as a core part of her identity. Her collaborations with artists such as Da Capo and releases on labels like MoBlack and Get Physical have placed her within a network of artists who prioritise cultural and linguistic elements within the genre. Tracks like ‘Amathole’ with Joezi gained strong online traction and later reached wider audiences through a Russian-language version with Filatov & Karas.

Her touring history supports that reach, with over 200 shows across regions including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Morocco, Thailand, Bali, and Mykonos. These bookings are largely within Afro House and melodic circuits, where longer sets and vocal-driven selections are more common. That context explains why tracks like ‘UNqamlezo’ are structured in a way that allows them to stay in the mix for extended periods without losing impact.

Tommy Veanud brings a different background into the collaboration, with over 15 years of experience across electronic music and previous work under the Prime Punk name. His catalogue includes collaborations with artists such as Molella and Yves V, and his recent releases have received support from Hugel, Meduza, and Marco Carola. His touring history spans cities including Ibiza, Amsterdam, Tokyo, Phuket, and Goa, along with an appearance at Ultra Europe 2024.

That experience shows in how ‘UNqamlezo’ is arranged. The track stays controlled, with no unnecessary layering or sudden shifts, which keeps it functional within a club set. The focus stays on consistency, allowing DJs to use it without needing to adjust pacing or energy too abruptly, especially during longer Afro House segments.

‘UNqamlezo’ will be released on April 30, 2026 via TV Recordings, adding another vocal-led record to both artists’ catalogues as they continue working within Afro House.