Manana announced as Apple Music’s latest Africa rising R&B Singer-Songwriter

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8 months ago

Apple Music has announced the latest featured artiste in its Africa Rising artiste development program, Eswatini born contemporary R&B singer-songwriter, Ndumiso Manana also known as Manana.

“Excitement doesn’t begin to describe my feelings,” He tells Apple Music. “We’ve been working for years to release this project, being able to release it and be a part of the Africa Rising program is a privilege.”

Born and raised in Mbabane in Eswatini, Manana immersed himself in all things music-related from a young age and as a result began to write, produce and perform his original compositions, as well as establishing himself as a prolific lyricist for Usher, Pheelz, Nasty C, Sauti Sol, Tyla, Amanda Black, Ami Faku, Shekhinah, and Burna Boy, where he is credited as a songwriter on the Nigerian superstar’s Grammy-winning album, ‘Twice As Tall’.

Manana’s debut solo EP, ‘In the Beginning Was the End’ (2020), was a nostalgic ode to R&B told in reverse, capturing the light and shade of growing and fading relationships which used his own marriage as his compass. His single “Sunday Morning” featuring Rowlene, was also included on Apple Music’s Top 100 tracks of 2020 at the end of the year.

His follow-up releases, ‘But Could The Moments In Between’ (2022) and ‘Comma’ (2022), showcase Manana’s versatility as he seamlessly navigates through electronic dance music, soulful R&B, Afrobeats, Amapiano fusion, and introspective acoustic ballads. The following year, Manana achieved a significant milestone by winning the prestigious South African Music Award for Best R&B Album in 2023, reinforcing his prowess as a triple threat.

His debut album, ‘Our Broken Hearts Mend’ (2024), available to stream on Apple Music, completes his trilogy of releases over the last five years. The journey began with the slow-burner EP ‘In the Beginning Was the End’ (2020), followed by the emotionally textured EP ‘But Could the Moments In Between’ (2022). Now, with the final chapter, he brings his protagonist’s journey to a close in ‘Our Broken Hearts Mend’.

The latest music from Manana along with that of Africa’s hottest new artists, is available now on the Apple Music Africa Rising Playlist.