Inspired by raw emotion and a love of music, this indie-folk maestro takes us on a journey of turning heartfelt moments into a career and life full of meaning.
Nhlanhla Majozi, better known to his fans simply as Majozi, from the vibrant city of Durban, is known for crafting music that’s as bold and heartfelt as his tattoos. He’s a man who wears his heart on his sleeve – literally, with tattoos dedicated to his mom and his faith. Both of which are the very foundation of his life and his art.
By the age of 13, Majozi had taught himself to play the guitar, marking the beginning of his journey from strumming the strings in his bedroom to stages everywhere in his successful career as a musician. With a sound that is uniquely his own, his music is a vibrant blend of indie-folk interwoven with subtle traces of electro, creating a discography of unshakeable honesty, heart and a deep connection to his faith.
Meeting up with Majozi in a bustling coffee shop in Cape Town, the first thing I notice is his kind and grounded charm. The first thing he does is order a pistachio croissant for his wife, a special request from her before he left the house that morning, and then we’re off.
He shares that he loves dogs, a topic that brought great joy to his voice. His self-proclaimed hidden talent is that he is “great at 10-pin bowling”, he sheepishly shares. As for guilty pleasures, he admits to having a serious sweet tooth but is “trying to stay away from temptation right now”. He’s also a coffee enthusiast and hopes to open his own coffee shop one day (the name of which is still to be confirmed).
These are just a few facts he shares to get the conversation going, but the more we chat, the more I get to know about the man behind the music. His warmth, humility and passion shines through in everything he says, revealing that his life is deeply rooted in a deep love for his craft and the people who matter most to him.
It must be love
Meghan Markle’s friends introduced her to a prince, and Majozi’s friends introduced him to his queen, his wife Daniela. He shares the story of how they met: “At a Gangs of Ballet concert in 2016. We were both at the Waterfront with friends and I just couldn’t get her out of my mind after I left.
“I was very shy at the time and wasn’t used to talking to girls, so I asked a common friend to introduce us. We were friends for a while and eventually feelings started to develop.”
The couple tied the knot in 2022. At first he wasn’t sure of the wedding date or how long it’s been, but he says that he plans to get a tattoo with the date just to make sure.
Humble beginnings
His first foray into music is as heartwarming as it is unconventional. Looking back, the Linc Church in KwaZulu-Natal played a pivotal role in supporting him in the early days of his career.
“I used to work at the church as a worship leader,” he says. “When I started travelling more often [for gigs], the church felt I was travelling too much and couldn’t work at the church anymore, but they still paid my salary for another year to help me navigate the music industry.”
This safety blanket allowed him to concentrate on making his dreams a reality without having to worry about making ends meet. He says that having such a support structure not only enabled him to live his dreams but also helped him to believe in himself and his talent.
“I wasn’t the most confident person back then, but I didn’t need any confidence in myself because I had so many people encouraging me! It’s nice to know that people have your back.”
A star is born
As one of the country’s most authentic voices, Majozi bridges the gap between indie and mainstream appeal. In 2016 he released his first album, Fire, which featured hits such as ‘Darling’ and ‘All You Need’, and catapulted him to success with multiple award nominations and critical acclaim for his deeply personal yet relatable music.
With a nostalgic twinkle in his eye, he remembers the very first time his song ‘The River’ was played on radio. “It was on Stephanie B’s late-night show on 5FM. I was at home, just alone in the garage, which was where I practised, and I just had goosebumps hearing it for the first time.”
He’s an artist who’s deeply rooted in his music and it shines through in the passion with which he describes his craft. “All I want to do is to make music and to make it to the best of my ability. If I’ve done that, then I’ve done my job. I’ve done what I love doing and the rest is out of my control.
@majozimusic I’ll always be so grateful for this ❤️ Thank you #splashyfen 🙏🏾🇿🇦 #tiktoksouthafrica #southafrica #festival #music #darling #majozi #love #fyp #concert #livemusic ♬ Darling – Majozi
“Any time I think about quitting, I just remind myself that I’m still doing this and I still love it. I was never in it to be rich and famous. I just wanted to make music.”
Balancing responsibilities and the pressures of the industry, Majozi stays grounded by being true to his values. “They are, pretty much in this order, God, people and music. So, as soon as the music goes beyond those other two things, then I know my values aren’t aligned.”
Working for a living
Majozi’s biggest ‘pinch me’ moment was when he opened for American folk band The Lumineers in 2014 for their concert at Kirstenbosch in Cape Town. “I wish I had more videos!” he laughs.
He then mentions the biggest collaborator along his journey. “I’ve worked on some of my biggest songs with a good friend of mine, Ewald Jansen van Rensburg. He’s been there from the beginning and without him, there isn’t a me at all. He’s really the genius behind everything.”
Drawing inspiration from his peers on the local music scene – the likes of Neon Dreams, Will Linley and Matthew Mole – Majozi says he thrives on exchanging ideas. His next project is called The Great Exchange and features a number of names, from Early B to PHFAT, and many more.
“When you write songs, there’s a lot of emotion that goes into it. You’re giving a lot of yourself, and I felt like there was a lot of that in this project, and I thought that was a beautiful thing,” he shares.
Staying true
Authenticity is the cornerstone of everything Majozi does. “Write for yourself, don’t write for the crowd, because you’re never going to please everyone. Write for yourself and if you’re really honest and really true, people will gravitate towards that.”
His advice for aspiring musicians is simple yet insightful: “Never be a better musician than you are a person. Find out who you are before you get into the industry, otherwise it will swallow you whole. Be who you are, have a goal in mind and work towards that goal.”
When asked what legacy he would like to leave behind, his answer is quite surprising. He chuckles and says: “I saw someone asked Mike Tyson this question and I loved his answer. He said that he didn’t want to leave behind any legacy. He doesn’t want to be remembered, and I love that!”
For Majozi, there is something more important than being revered. “I don’t want to be important. I don’t want people to elevate me. If my music and my message transcend me, then I’m happy.”
Follow Him
Facebook: Majozi
Instagram: @majozimusic
TikTok: majozimusic
Youtube: Majozi
Words : Rughsaar Bibi Ismail
Photography Zhann Solomons
Styling Mia-Tess Smith
