Entertainment specialist and pop-rap innovator S’BO GYRE reignites his musical instincts with the release of the official music video for his disco- kwaito fusion single Pele Pele, continuing to carve out a distinctive sonic lane he calls Zulu Pop Rap.
Long recognised for his multidisciplinary work across entertainment, media and cultural commentary, GYRE now returns to music with renewed creative focus — using sound as another medium through which to explore storytelling, identity and South African popular culture.
Pele Pele forms part of the artist’s emerging self-defined genre Zulu Pop Rap, a sound blending hip hop cadence, pop accessibility and distinctly South African rhythmic textures. Produced by SiyaCee of Audio Addicts, the track is a groove-laden dance record that taps into the timeless DNA of South African pop music. With shimmering disco flourishes, warm horn arrangements and buoyant kwaito influences, the track evokes the joyful spirit and melodic sensibilities of classic pop acts such as Brenda & The Big Dudes, Kabelo, and Danny K.
Rather than chasing fleeting trends, Pele Pele offers a refreshing, contemporary reinterpretation of South Africa’s rich pop heritage — a feel-good record designed for anyone who simply wants to move.
The newly released music video deepens that atmosphere with a sultry and alluring visual narrative. Directed by J-Word Audio and S’BO GYRE, the video pairs smooth choreography with intimate performance shots and stylish visual textures that mirror the track’s sensual groove.
Notably, part of the video was filmed inside the historic vault of the Natal Bank Building, the oldest surviving bank building in Johannesburg and a recognised provincial heritage site. The landmark building is now home to brand and media intelligence company Ornico, providing a striking architectural backdrop that adds texture and historical resonance to the video’s visual aesthetic.
The video, which has a cameo from musician and dancer Mr NT, was edited by J-Word Audio of Blaq Rebel Media Studios, with creative direction by Natasha Kwinjo and S’BO GYRE. Kwinjo also served as the costume designer, curating striking looks that heighten the video’s magnetic, slow-burn energy and effortlessly stylish mood.
“Zulu Pop Rap is my way of bridging worlds,” says S’BO GYRE. “It’s hip hop in cadence, pop in feeling, and proudly Zulu in language and spirit. With Pele Pele I wanted to create something that feels nostalgic but new — a record that reminds people of the joy and glamour that has always lived inside South African pop music.”
In 2025, S’BO GYRE’s growing cultural impact was recognised when he was named among the Mail & Guardian’s 200 Young South Africans in Arts & Culture. As an entertainment specialist who moves fluidly between music, media and cultural commentary, GYRE’s renewed musical output signals not just a release — but a creative reawakening.
With its seductive visuals, shimmering groove and nostalgic pop sensibility, the Pele Pele music video offers audiences a lush, stylish invitation to dance — and another compelling glimpse into the expanding sonic world of S’BO GYRE.
