Sminofu

Sminofu’s, born Mphile Gumedw, is a South African Maskandi musician from KwaZulu-Natal. He is known for a style that blends traditional Maskandi instrumentation with modern production, making his music popular with both rural and urban audiences.

He began releasing music in the early 2020s. His early songs included “Ngiziphathele”, “Sehlukene” and “Sesilele”, which helped introduce him to a wider following. In 2022 he released the album Gqiba I Bigger, which went on to receive gold certification. In 2024 he released the album Rush Hour, a project that demonstrated his ability to fuse contemporary sound with the storytelling traditions of Maskandi.

In 2025 he gained further mainstream attention through collaborations with younger and emerging artists. In April he worked with singer Zee Nxumalo on the single “Sajola Kamnandi”, which became a major hit and later earned a gold certification. In September he released the single “I Choice Yethu”, featuring Zamambo Mkhize.

Sminofu’s music is characterised by emotional sincerity, strong melodic structure and themes that explore love, personal struggle and cultural identity. He is regarded as one of the prominent voices in the new wave of Maskandi artists contributing to the rapid growth and modernisation of the genre.

He continues to develop his craft and remains an influential figure for younger listeners who connect with his blend of tradition and contemporary sound.