Zim: Sylent Nqo features Suhn and Mhaw Keys on new single Denga

The track, a spiritual and genre-defying love song, bridges African musical traditions with modern soul, creating an emotive anthem that speaks to longing, healing, and higher connection.

Named after the Shona word for “heaven”, ‘Denga’ explores the transformative power of love, not just romantic, but sacred and expansive.

“This song came from a sacred place,” Sylent Nqo said. “It’s about longing, faith, and the kind of love that reconnects us to something bigger than ourselves.”

Known as The Guitar Sangoma for the healing quality of his music, Sylent Nqo anchors the song with signature guitar work and soul-stirring vocals. His counterpart, Suhn, adds emotional depth with a reflective verse blending vulnerability and spiritual introspection. “Sylent created a sound I’d never heard, and it pulled something different out of me,” said Suhn. “It was a challenge, but one I welcomed. ‘Denga’ pushed me to grow.”

Though not involved in production, Suhn’s lyrical presence adds weight, articulating themes of love and transcendence. “With love, anything is possible, even touching the heavens,” he added.

The production by Mhaw Keys, one of South Africa’s most sought-after producers, elevates the track into ethereal territory. Combining traditional African percussion with atmospheric synths, Keys crafts a soundscape that feels both ancestral and futuristic. “I wanted the sound to feel like a prayer,” he said. “Something that lives between memory and imagination, like a dream you don’t want to wake up from.”

Sung in Shona, Ndebele, and English, ‘Denga’ crosses linguistic and national boundaries, resonating not only across Zimbabwe and South Africa, but with the wider African diaspora. It is a love song, not only to a person, but to cultural identity and sonic innovation.

“Music is one of the few things that speaks every language,” Sylent said. “And if we’re going to talk about heaven, let it sound like home.”

About the artists

A Zimbabwean-Mozambican guitarist, vocalist and songwriter, Sylent Nqo, also known as The Guitar Sangoma, is celebrated for his fusion of African roots and global genres. He has shared stages with UB40, Oliver Mtukudzi and Hugh Masekela, and collaborated with artists including Davido and Jah Prayzah. In 2016, he was crowned Senior Solo Instrumental Grand Champion of the World, and in 2019, won Best Alternative Musician at the Zimbabwe Music Awards. His debut album Sylent Treatment (2022) showcases his unique, genre-blending sound.

Mhaw Keys, meanwhile, was born Mohau Matlaletsa, and is a producer, vocalist and keyboardist known for his soulful, spiritually grounded music. Hailing from Botshabelo in the Free State, he rose through the amapiano, house, and Afro-soul scenes with collaborations featuring Kabza De Small, Boohle, Focalistic, and Ami Faku. He co-produced major hits such as ‘Abalele’, ‘Asibe Happy’, and ‘Yes God’. His critically acclaimed album Pariah solidified his position as one of the most innovative producers in the region.