South African amapiano vocalist Zee Nxumalo has opened up about her musical journey and how she transitioned from being a rapper to becoming one of the rising voices in amapiano. Speaking during an interview on Gagasi FM, the singer reflected on her early days in music and how inspiration from artists such as Emtee played a major role in shaping her sound at the time.
Zee Nxumalo revealed that when she first entered the music space, she was heavily influenced by the style and sound of rappers she admired. Before becoming known for her amapiano vocals, she started out as a rapper under the name Zee The Toxic. During that phase of her career, she often found herself sounding similar to the artists who inspired her the most.
“When I started music, I was very much inspired by the likes of Emtee, so I used to sound like them a lot when I did music because obviously I was inspired by them,” she said during the interview.
The vocalist explained that her musical journey eventually led her to discover her own identity as an artist. As she continued working on her craft and gaining experience in the industry, her sound naturally evolved into what fans now recognize in her amapiano music.
“But now I got my own sound, I have found my sound,” she shared.
Zee Nxumalo also spoke about growth in music and how artists develop over time as they continue learning and improving. Reflecting on her journey from rap to amapiano, she highlighted how patience and consistency helped her become more comfortable with her artistry.
“It gets better with time, the talent gets better, you eventually find your sound,” she added.
Her story reflects the evolution many artists experience when entering the music industry. Starting out by drawing inspiration from established musicians is often part of the creative process before developing a unique identity. For Zee Nxumalo, that process eventually guided her away from rap and into amapiano, where she has managed to establish herself as a recognized vocalist.
From her early days as Zee The Toxic to becoming a rising amapiano star, her journey shows how artistic growth can shape an artist’s direction over time. Through experimentation, experience, and persistence, she was able to transition into a sound that represents who she is today.
