Seen Here: From the coastal rhythms of Richards Bay to the soulful textures of 90s-inspired hip-hop, emerging rapper Sphakamiso joins forces with vocalist Khethiwe Zuma for “Summertime” — a refreshing musical collaboration celebrating youth culture, artistic authenticity and the freedom of summer. Blending jazz, R&B, live instrumentation and lyrical storytelling, the debut single is more than a seasonal anthem; it is a musical tribute to homegrown inspiration and the limitless possibilities of emerging South African talent. A new sound, a familiar nostalgia and a summer worth remembering. Photo Credit: Supplied
The Richards Bay-born rapper joins forces with vocalist Khethiwe Zuma on “Summertime”, a jazz-infused hip-hop collaboration celebrating coastal culture, musical nostalgia and the next generation of South African talent.
RICHARDS BAY, KwaZulu-Natal – A fresh musical collaboration is putting Richards Bay’s vibrant coastal culture on the musical map, as emerging rapper Sphakamiso makes his official music debut with Summertime, featuring vocalist Khethiwe Zuma.
Blending soulful jazz, live instrumentation, R&B and nostalgic 1990s hip-hop, the single introduces an artist whose musical identity is deeply connected to his hometown, personal experiences and appreciation for authentic musicianship.
More than a conventional summer anthem, Summertime is a musical celebration of the evolving beach culture of Northern KwaZulu-Natal, capturing the freedom, energy and recreational lifestyle associated with Richards Bay.
From jet skiing and beach volleyball to water polo and soccer around Pelican Island, the track draws inspiration from a coastal environment where summer represents more than a change in season. It is a cultural experience shaped by community, leisure and youthful expression.
For Sphakamiso, the intention was to create a soundtrack that reflects how a new generation is redefining its relationship with summer.
“I wanted to redefine how people, especially the youth, enjoy their summer holidays. Growing up in Richards Bay, summer was always about going to the beach and having fun around Pelican Island. Recently, that lifestyle has changed, with people incorporating different watersports and activities into their summer experience. I admired that energy and wanted to create a song that captures it,” he says.
A sound rooted in musical heritage
Produced in collaboration with Option Issac, Summertime brings together an accomplished creative combination featuring bassist Warras, keyboardist Mzie Maestro and vocalist Khethiwe Zuma.
The production takes inspiration from the golden era of American hip-hop, particularly the distinctive sounds emerging from New York during the 1990s. Rather than relying exclusively on digitally constructed beats, the team embraced live instrumentation and an analogue recording approach to achieve a warmer, more organic sound.
The result is a sophisticated blend of jazz textures, soulful melodies and hip-hop storytelling, with Zuma’s expressive vocals complementing Sphakamiso’s lyrical delivery.
His musical influences include Robert Glasper, Terrace Martin, Common and Yasiin Bey, artists whose work demonstrates the creative possibilities of combining jazz, hip-hop and contemporary soul.
“My sound is heavily influenced by the American jazz scene. I love that smooth, textured analogue sound, especially when jazz is incorporated into R&B and hip-hop. I also love the 90s format where a soulful vocalist delivers the hook, and I build my verses around that subject to tell a story,” he explains.
This approach gives Summertime an identity that balances nostalgia with contemporary musical expression, demonstrating an appreciation for the craftsmanship of earlier hip-hop generations while establishing a sound of its own.
From childhood passion to musical independence
Although Summertime marks his first official release, Sphakamiso’s relationship with music began long before his entry into the recording industry.
Growing up in Richards Bay, he developed an early appreciation for music through radio, which introduced him to the influential sounds of the 1980s and 1990s. By the age of 10, he was already writing lyrics and exploring his creative abilities.
His early performance experience included appearing on the Love Life Games stage, where he performed Mafikizolo’s Kwela-Kwela, including the verse associated with the late South African jazz legend Hugh Masekela.
However, turning his passion into a professional recording pursuit was not without challenges. Access to studio equipment and finding musicians who shared his preference for live instrumentation proved difficult, temporarily slowing his progress.
A significant turning point came in May 2026 when he won a sports car through a competition and subsequently traded it for cash. Rather than viewing the opportunity purely as a financial windfall, he channelled the proceeds into purchasing studio equipment and assembling a live band.
That investment laid the foundation for his debut and enabled him to bring his preferred musical production approach to life.
His journey highlights an important aspect of emerging creative entrepreneurship: the determination to invest in one’s craft, build independent capacity and create opportunities where conventional industry access may be limited.
Building towards a bigger musical vision
With his debut single introducing his artistic direction, Sphakamiso is already preparing for his next milestone: a five-track EP scheduled for release in February 2027.
The upcoming project will feature production by the creative team behind Summertime, alongside additional vocalists, further developing the jazz-influenced hip-hop sound that defines his emerging identity.
His collaboration wishlist includes some of South Africa’s established and emerging musical voices, among them Kwesta, Zakwe, Lordkez and Skye Wanda. Internationally, he draws inspiration from artists such as Robert Glasper, Q-Tip, Mary J. Blige and Common.
These ambitions reflect an artist looking beyond a single release, with an interest in building a sustainable musical identity through collaboration, experimentation and storytelling.
A new soundtrack for Richards Bay
At its core, Summertime is an expression of place, identity and artistic ambition. By drawing on the recreational culture of Richards Bay and combining it with the musical traditions of jazz and classic hip-hop, Sphakamiso and Khethiwe Zuma deliver a collaboration that celebrates both local inspiration and global musical influences.
The release also reinforces the growing creative possibilities available to artists outside South Africa’s traditional music-industry centres.
For Sphakamiso, the debut is an introduction to a sound shaped by childhood memories, independent investment and a commitment to live musicianship.
For listeners, Summertime offers an invitation to rediscover the pleasure of music that tells a story, creates an atmosphere and connects people to a place.
As the artist prepares for his February 2027 EP, this first collaboration establishes a promising starting point for a journey built around soulful storytelling and musical authenticity.
LISTEN TO “SUMMERTIME” FEATURING KHETHIWE ZUMA
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