At just 21 years old, Lusanda Mkhaliphi is making a quiet but determined mark on Eswatini’s music scene under the artist name Nkanyezi, a SiSwati word meaning star. In an interview with Swazi24, the Nhlangano-born artist opens up about her journey from a first studio session in 2024 to performing before Their Majesties at the King’s 57th Birthday Celebration, all within the space of a year.
Music had been a constant presence throughout her childhood, but it was in 2024 that she finally made the leap into professional creative work, walking into a studio and beginning to write her own songs. Things moved quickly from there. In March 2025, she released her debut single Forever. Just two months later, in May 2025, she stood on stage at the King’s 57th Birthday Celebration in Nhlangano and sang before Their Majesties, an extraordinary milestone for any artist, let alone one whose live performance career was only just beginning.
“I always quote it as God’s favor because that was my very first performance,” she says. 
As a person, Nkanyezi describes herself as quite introverted, someone who loves learning new skills. But as a creative, she is something else entirely. “Nkanyezi is a force who refuses to place limits on herself. I am a God fearing individual who deeply believes in her purpose and goes after everything she wants with full faith,” she says.
Forever, her debut single, set the emotional tone for everything that followed. The song is a celebration of love and commitment, written entirely from her own perspective on what love means. “Forever is a song that celebrates love and commitment. It tells my perspective on how I genuinely see the concept of love. It’s a reflection of pure devotion,” she explains.
Releasing it was anything but easy. “Putting that first song out into the world was both exhilarating and deeply terrifying. Because Forever is so close to my heart and represents my genuine, unfiltered perspective on love, I felt incredibly vulnerable sharing it. I wondered if listeners would truly understand the depth of the commitment I was singing about. But above the nerves, there was an overwhelming sense of peace and excitement. I knew that by releasing it, I was finally stepping into my purpose and letting the world hear the authentic voice of Nkanyezi.”
Her subsequent releases show an artist already stretching beyond a single sound. Amazwe is an upbeat song of pure manifestation, built around the desire to travel, expand your horizons and explore different parts of the world alongside the people closest to your heart. “It represents that beautiful, exciting urge to see what is out there beyond our borders,” she says.
Nomathemba takes a more grounded and deeply emotional turn. The song creates a setting where Nomathemba is being called back home, reminded of her roots, yet she chooses to embrace life, have fun and focus on the positive. “It carries a very deep, grounded meaning about the challenges we face as we grow up and get exposed to the world,” Nkanyezi explains.
@nkanyezi__04 #fyp🖤tiktok☆♡🦋myvideo💯foryou #creatorsearchinsights #spotifyplaylist #viralvideotiktok#performance @Master KG #trendingvideo ♬ forever – Nkanyezi
The contrast between the two songs is deliberate. “Deciding what story a song needs to tell comes down to listening closely to the different chapters of human experience, from our deepest vulnerabilities to our biggest dreams. I let the narrative guide the track. Whether I am manifesting global adventures in Amazwe or navigating the weight of adulthood in Nomathemba, I want my music to capture the full, authentic spectrum of life.”
Her track Tibatje took her creative reach beyond Eswatini’s borders entirely, resulting in a cross-border collaboration with Namibian producers Lee Deep Soul, Paris the Prod Na and Championsleaguedjz Na. The track came together digitally, with Nkanyezi exchanging creative ideas across borders and blending her Swati vocals with Namibian production sensibilities.
“Connecting with international talent digitally and exchanging creative ideas across borders was an amazing experience for me. It completely expanded my perspective to see how producers from a different part of the continent approach rhythm and structure. Even though we were blending Swati vocals with Namibian production, the musical chemistry was effortless. To me, collaborating with these creatives proves that music truly has no borders. It’s all about sharing vibes, blending cultures, and creating a united African sound that can resonate anywhere in the world.”
Closer to home, her studio work has been anchored entirely by a creative partnership with Aleix Studios and producer Aleix Beats, a young Eswatini-based talent whose understanding of her sound she describes as near instinctive.
“Aleix is an incredibly young, talented producer right here in Eswatini, and our creative relationship is built on a foundation of genuine musical trust. Based on our successful sessions together, we have developed a seamless workflow where we just understand each other’s vision perfectly. When I go in to create, the environment feels completely collaborative and supportive. He knows how to catch the exact mood I am trying to express, and he builds sonic landscapes that complement my vocals rather than overpowering them. Having that kind of reliable, high-quality chemistry locally makes all the difference. It provides a safe creative space where I can comfortably experiment with my range, pour my real emotions into the microphone, and trust that the final mix will sound polished, authentic, and true to who I am as an artist.”
Like many independent artists in the Kingdom, Nkanyezi is candid about the gap between creative ability and industry navigation that many Swati artists face. “As a newer voice in Eswatini’s growing music scene, my experience has taught me that talent is only one piece of the puzzle. My true passion and strength lie in the creative process. I am far more skilled in songwriting and vocal expression than I am in navigating the complex world of media, marketing, and industry networking.”
She believes mentorship is the missing ingredient for many young Swati creatives. “For independent artists like myself, that gap is one of our biggest hurdles. That is why I firmly believe that having mentors in the industry is vital. Navigating everything on your own can be overwhelming, but having experienced voices to guide you, teach you the business side, and help position your music in the right spaces can change everything. Finding that guidance and mentorship is what will truly help independent Swati creatives transform raw talent into a sustainable, professional career.”
Her musical influences span the continent and beyond. On the African side, she draws deeply from the storytelling of Mafikizolo, the vocal control and soulful sophistication of Zonke, and the smooth contemporary R&B and Afro-soul sensibility of Thabsie. Internationally, Sam Smith has left a lasting mark.
@nkanyezi__04 #fypシ゚ #artistsoftiktok #afropopmusic #southafricatiktok🇿🇦 #viewers ♬ forever – Nkanyezi
“The way Mafikizolo captures pure storytelling and builds a connection with audiences is something I admire immensely. Zonke’s incredible vocal control, sophistication, and soulful depth have taught me so much about how to deliver raw emotion through a melody. I also look up to Thabsie for her smooth, contemporary R&B and Afro-soul sensibilities, which perfectly bridge soulful vocals with modern production. Internationally, Sam Smith has had a massive impact on me. The absolute vulnerability in their songwriting and the way they lay their heart completely bare in their music is something I strive for every time I step into the studio. Blending the African rhythms and soulful storytelling of Mafikizolo, Zonke, and Thabsie with the raw, emotional honesty of Sam Smith is what truly inspires the artist I am continuously growing into.”
Nkanyezi says her next focus is stepping out of her comfort zone and building a stronger media presence to match the music she is quietly stockpiling. She wants audiences not just to hear her songs but to understand the stories, emotions and thought processes that go into creating them.
“I am continuously writing and working on new music, but more than anything, I want to create a space where people can dive deep into my storytelling. When people hear my music and see my journey, I want them to feel a sense of comfort, connection, and relatability. I want them to know that it’s okay to face challenges, it’s okay to feel vulnerable, but it’s also beautiful to choose joy and go after what you want.”
The name says it all. Nkanyezi means star, and this one from Nhlangano is only just beginning to shine.
