Muneyi

Muneyi’s music has been described as a gift from the gods, a healing experience as he connects the listener to his own narrative of Tshivenda folktales and modern sounds. Inspired by his Makhulu (Grandmother), his community upbringing, a love for language, vulnerability, human behaviour and personal experiences, his music has an ability to transcend language and connect to one's heart and soul.

A multifaceted artist, songwriter, composer, guitarist. His debut album ‘Makhulu’ spoke of lessons in love, loss and healing. He draws inspiration from artists such as Oumou Sangare, Ali Farka Toure, Jonah Sobateh, Beyonce, Thandiswa, Sade and many more.

Muneyi was born in Tshilapfene, a small village outside of Thohoyandou in 1995 and raised by my grandmother in a religious neutral household. It was his love of language which came to the fore firstly with debate, public speaking, ready and spelling bees in primary and secondary school. Upon finishing school he picked up the guitar for the first time and found a home to express his own narrative, in the language of Tshivenda.

In 2019, he was the winner of the Afropunk Battle Of The Bands, which led to the release of his debut album in 2020 via Africori. He has shared stages with some of South Africa’s most relevant artists: Sho Madjozi, Msaki, Zoë Modiga, The Muffinz, Nduduzo Makhathini, Buhlebendalo, Nonku Phiri to name a few. With collaborators such as Kekelingo and Leomile, he is focussed on building a community, which can support each other and allow a new movement of Folk artists to take their message to the world.