SA: Apple Music names Sfarzo Rtee as latest Isgubhu cover star

The announcement follows the release of his six-track album titled The New Testament in February this year, which features artists like Makhanj, Jay Sax, Raspy and Nanette, among others. On the project, Sfarzo Rtee experiments with Afro-soul, gospel and strings, crafting an album that is deftly textured and was received warmly by his audience, racking up over two million streams across different platforms in the first two weeks of its release.

“Being featured on the Apple Music Isgubhu cover for April fills me with immense gratitude,” Sfarzo Rtee told Apple Music. “It’s an incredible opportunity to share my music and connect with a diverse audience. I’m thankful for the platform's recognition of my work, and I’m excited to continue spreading my passion for music to listeners around the world.”

To celebrate his feature, Sfarzo Rtee created an exclusive Isgubhu playlist that details his extensive industry journey, from his hometown of Polokwane to the main stage of Afro Nation in Portugal.

“The selection of my songs is meant to take the listener through a journey of my life,” he said. “The playlist kicks off with a slow tone that indicates a time of difficulty, depicting a time where I was attempting to get my music out there. As you listen to the playlist you’ll find a change in the feel, in a sense that the mood begins to lift significantly, describing a time of joy which was reflected by the way my music had reached people, not just the fans, but big names in the industry as well.”

He added: “The playlist is meant to tell a story with each song, signifying a certain moment in my life all leading up to where I am today. And having been included on the Isgubhu playlist, on one of the biggest streaming music platforms in the world, is such a celebratory moment for me, especially considering the other artists that I get to share this with.”

Polokwane-born Sfarzo Rtee is known for his meticulous attention to detail when it comes to the crafting of his songs. He made his mark on the highly competitive amapiano scene at the age of 19, by becoming one of the youngest DJs to play Boiler Room in Johannesburg. His breakout debut album, It Was Never the Same (2021), saw him fuse amapiano with deep house to produce a soulful, more melodic version of the genre.

His follow up albums  House of Sgija (2022) and House of Sgija II (2023), shone a spotlight on amapiano sub-genre Sgija. Composed mainly of instrumentals with no top lines and accompanied by percussion and rattling bass lines, it made him a household name, packing out Soweto’s iconic Zone 6 venue for his House of Sgija launch album at 21.