Pearl Thusi Debuts Musical Journey With “Sodwa” A Tribute To African Resilience, Cultural Heritage, And Love

GLM TEAM December 2, 2025

Internationally acclaimed actress, entrepreneur, DJ, and cultural innovator, Pearl Thusi, marks a transformative milestone with her debut single “Sodwa” featuring Maskandi legend Ihashi Elimhlophe and contributions from DJ Melzi. The track is a profound exploration of cultural identity, intergenerational connection, and the universal language of love.

“Sodwa” transcends conventional boundaries, seamlessly blending Afro-house, Amapiano, Maskandi, and deep tribal rhythms. This fusion reflects South Africa’s music landscape, the deliberate reconciliation of ancestral traditions with contemporary urban soundscapes. Thusi’s collaboration with Ihashi Elimhlophe bridges generational divides and honours Maskandi’s enduring legacy within modern African creative expression. The track showcases Pearl’s deep connection to the continent’s evolving music landscape while paying homage to the musical traditions that shaped her upbringing in KwaZulu-Natal.

The genesis of “Sodwa” is deeply personal. The song honours Thusi’s late father, who passed away in 2020, fulfilling a childhood aspiration to celebrate his musical influence. The cover art features a nostalgic photograph of her parents, symbolizing the intergenerational transmission of cultural values. “Sodwa is dedicated to all forms of love, romantic, familial, platonic and their rightful place in our collective celebration,” Thusi explains. “This song has waited three years to be born. It represents my commitment to honouring the sounds that connect me to my culture, my heritage, and my identity as a Zulu woman.”

The collaboration with Ihashi Elimhlophe was intentional and reverential. Thusi approached the Maskandi icon directly, presenting multiple tracks and securing his participation in what she describes as a dream collaboration. His involvement lends cultural gravitas while reinforcing the importance of elevating traditional African musical forms within contemporary spaces. Pearl Thusi’s venture into music represents the latest chapter in a career defined by strategic reinvention and fearless creativity. Her portfolio includes starring in Netflix’s groundbreaking “Queen Sono,” international productions like “Quantico” and “The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency,” and successful ventures including Black Pearl Hair and Black Rose Gin.

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Her DJing career spans over 125 local and international events, from the Spotify Cannes event to the NBA Africa Finals in Kigali. This extensive performance experience provides the foundation for her transition into original music production an organic progression, not an opportunistic pivot. Thusi acknowledges her vulnerability in this new territory, calling it “the most vulnerable I’ve ever been in any situation,” while expressing confidence in the work’s quality and authenticity. This transparency reflects a broader cultural shift toward emotional honesty, particularly among African women in creative industries.

The production reflects a collaborative, iterative creative process. Thusi credits her team for their contributions through multiple versions before arriving at the final product. The instrumentation particularly the bass elements Thusi identifies as her “favourite sound” combined with DJ Melzi’s keyboard work and carefully selected drum patterns, creates a textured soundscape supporting the track’s poetic storytelling. “What matters most is feeling the essence of my culture and heritage in the music,” Thusi states. “All the sounds must encompass my musical love languages. This track is a genuine expression of who I am and where I come from.”

“Sodwa” arrives at a pivotal moment for African music’s global ascendancy. The genre fusion reflects the increasingly borderless nature of African musical expression, where traditional forms are actively reimagined for contemporary audiences. Thusi’s willingness to center Maskandi historically marginalized in mainstream spaces within modern production demonstrates both artistic courage and cultural consciousness. Her multi-platform presence provides a model for sustainable creative careers, illustrating the viability of portfolio careers in the contemporary creative economy.

Make sure to stream “Sodwa” today and request it from your favourite radio stations.