Zee Nxumalo Returns with Powerful Love Duet “Mamma” Featuring Sykes and Skillz
Rising star and chart-topping hit-maker, Zee Nxumalo, unveils her much-anticipated new single “Mamma” featuring Sykes, a soaring African Dance love duet that is already making waves across dancefloors and radio. With nearly 200K Shazams ahead of release and support from DJs across South Africa, “Mamma” marks a defining moment in Zee’s journey as she steps beyond her Amapiano roots into the realm of timeless classics.
Built on Skillz’s masterful production, “Mamma” is a heartfelt exchange of devotion between two lovers. Sykes serenades Zee as the woman of his heart, while Zee sings with radiant joy about experiencing a love so genuine and affirming. The title, “Mamma”, draws from an affectionate expression in Black culture—celebrating the strength and grace of a woman who holds it down both at home and in love.
Zee Nxumalo | SUPPLIED
The hook carries a nod to Etta James’s immortal “Something’s Got a Hold on Me”—the same melody that later inspired Avicii’s global hit “Levels.” By reimagining this iconic line within an African context, Zee continues the legacy of one of the most memorable hooks in music history while making it her own.
The accompanying music video brings the song to life with striking visuals: an infusion of Sophiatown flair, a wedding, and a show-stopping performance where Zee channels the spirit of Brenda Fassie with the sultry aesthetic of Jessica Rabbit. The result is a cultural blend of past and future—a visual feast that amplifies the song’s emotional core.
“Following Ngisakuthanda, it has been such a process getting ready to release my first single of the year. I’m honestly so excited to finally share new music. Mamma is really close to my heart because it’s such a different vibe from anything I’ve done before, so I can’t wait to see how my fans receive it. Even from the little leak, people have been showing so much love—we wanted the video to feel like a movie, and I think Keith really nailed that energy.” — Zee Nxumalo
“I’m very excited to have played my part in bringing this project to life. Sykes and I go way back, and the chemistry has always been there. Linking that up with Zee, who was such a pleasure to work with, just made the whole process even more special. That shoot? Yoh, hardest I’ve ever worked on a video set—but when you see the final product, you understand exactly why it was all worth it.” — Skillz
The Video for Mamma was directed by Keith Benza, he shares some sentiments on the process…
Zee Nxumalo | SUPPLIED
“Mamma is a special song. The first time I listened to it, I felt a nostalgic feeling, and I wanted to bring that feeling to life visually. That’s why I chose the old-school Sophiatown town theme for the music video. You can see it in the styling, production design, and overall look and feel of the video. Before I started working on the treatment, there were already discussions about Zee getting more screen time as an actor. So, it was a no-brainer for me to create a narrative driven music video. Funny enough, I’m not a big fan of linear storytelling in music videos. But I knew the video had to be as easily relatable as the song. However, it wouldn’t be a Keith Benza music video without any underlying representation and symbolism. The video addresses themes of love, infidelity, violence, and morality, which were prevalent in the 1900s and continue to resonate in contemporary society, which in turn transcends age demographics if we speak of relatability. I’m really excited to see what people make of it and how they react to the banger of a song that Zee, Sykes and Skillz produced.”
With its infectious rhythm, nostalgic yet fresh energy, and undeniable vocal chemistry, “Mamma” cements Zee Nxumalo’s place as one of South Africa’s most exciting rising stars.
Mamma was premiered on BBC1 Extra with DJ Edu and already landing radio charts in South Africa.
“Mamma” is available to stream on all digital platforms –https://platoon.lnk.to/_mamma