Meet Smezi, the 32-year-old Amapiano and Afro Soul sensation who’s turning heads in the South African music scene. A singer, executive producer, and the founder of Stebie Records, Smezi is not just a performer but a powerhouse behind the mic and in the studio.
Smezi’s musical journey began in a humble setting. He was discovered by Mzayoni, who stumbled upon him singing while cleaning at home. At the time, Mzayoni was working with Cool Sport and saw great potential in Smezi. That led to an introduction to the studio at Cool Sports Records. A few years later, driven by vision and ambition, Smezi launched his record label, Stebie Records.
At Stebie Records, Smezi has been instrumental in producing and guiding new talent, including collaborations with music producers H Flow and Deepza, and songwriter Olwethu Gumede. Earlier this year, in January 2025, he released two new singles “Kgole” and “Owakho” showcasing his evolving sound and commitment to blending genres. Both singles reflect his signature mix of soulful melodies and Amapiano rhythms, solidifying his reputation as a versatile artist.
Smezi is currently putting the final touches on his highly anticipated multi-genre album The Love of Na Zulu which is set to drop later this month. Fans are eagerly awaiting what promises to be a powerful and heartfelt project.
He expresses deep gratitude to his team for their continuous support, especially Mam Stebie for believing in him, his longtime partner Palisa Setona (Smezi Kazi) for her songwriting guidance, his music manager Mam, and his A\&R manager Mr Siwela. Smezi also extends heartfelt thanks to his fans for streaming his music and supporting his journey. He encourages anyone interested in his previous work to simply Google “Smezi” to find all his releases including last year’s album “Let’s Celebrate.”
Currently based in Tembisa, Smezi is focused on growing his brand and connecting with more listeners across the country. As someone who has built his path from the ground up, he is using his experience to inspire the next generation of musicians while continuing to push his own sound forward.
