Mzansi’s own lyrical lion, Big Zulu, dropped a bomb of a hip hop album, and let’s just say: the vibes were immaculate, the beats were spiritual, and the drip? Unmatched.
Thursday night in Sandton City’s Spitz store wasn’t your average—it was a full-on Inkabi Nationers affair. The shoe store was filled with excitement and Umoya wama rapper (the spirit of rap) as hip hop lovers, fashionistas, and cultural connoisseurs gathered for Big Zulu’s exclusive listening session for his highly anticipated album Icala Lempumelelo.
At midnight, he pulled the trigger and dropped the project across all major streaming platforms—giving fans exactly what they came for: depth, heat, and serious soul.
This isn’t just an album—it’s a whole mood. A rich, 12-track homage to Big Zulu’s versatility, Icala Lempumelelo boldly blends Ushun, Hip Hop, and Afro Pop in a way only a true Zulu king could.
It’s rooted, it’s raw, and it’s ridiculously catchy. Think ancestral drums meeting downtown hustle. Think Sunday soul with Saturday night swagger.
The collabs? Fire. Legends like uBab’ Shwi, Sjava, and Emtee bring heavyweight energy, while rising talents like Ma7 and Aymos inject that fresh, fearless flavour.
Standout artists include the no-holds-barred anthem Abazazi Bafunani ft. Emtee, the genre-fluid groove Mbali yam ft. Aymos, and the soul-nourishing Interlude ft. Sjava & Ma7 that hits you right in the feels.
Big Zulu didn’t just make an album—he built a cultural bridge. At the Johannesburg and Durban launch events, he didn’t just celebrate music, he celebrated movement—giving props to both the OGs and the next-gen torchbearers. “I highlighted the love I have for different genres,” he said. “Everyone will get a treat.”
So if you’re sleeping on this one—you’re not just missing an album, you’re missing a moment. Icala Lempumelelo is more than just Big Zulu’s latest project. It’s a love letter to hip hop, a salute to his roots, and a musical mic drop that screams: The culture is alive, and it’s Zulu-sized.
