Bubele Booi to debut as Vumaala at Johannesburg performance

The event, titled Moya, will take place at The Artistry in Sandton, Johannesburg. It will also coincide with the release of Vumaala’s new single, ‘Memeza’, which will be made available on the day of the performance.

‘Memeza’ features South African artist Masi Buzani from the Eastern Cape. Buzani’s contribution to the track gained attention on TikTok after Vumaala launched a ‘Memeza’ open-verse challenge, prompting widespread user participation. Commenting on Buzani’s verse, Vumaala wrote on Instagram: “When I first heard his verse I was immediately moved to the brink of tears because, with no context or explanation, he’d somehow found the core and heart of the song.”

Moya is positioned as a live showcase of Vumaala’s emerging identity as a performer, following his transition from behind-the-scenes production work. The performance is expected to introduce audiences to his genre-blending sound, which draws on cinematic orchestration alongside South African dance styles such as afro-house, three-step and gqom.

Vumaala began his solo artist journey in mid-2025 and has since released several tracks in collaboration with international artists, including Chicago-based R&B singer Re’Alissa, British vocalist Bipolar Sunshine and Canadian singer-songwriter Julia Gartha. His first vocal release, ‘Looking4Luv’, featuring American singer Taejaun, marked the start of a long-form project he has described as deeply personal. Reflecting on the song’s origins, he wrote: “It was birthed from the lowest points in my life. The moments when everything feels like drowning – maybe it’s a baptism. A rebirth of sorts?”

Interest in the Moya event has been strong, with complimentary tickets already sold out ahead of the show. Paid tickets remain available.

Booi is widely recognised for his production work, having earned multi-platinum and gold certifications from RiSA, a South African Music Award, and a Grammy nomination for his contribution to a Beyoncé project. His production credits include collaborations with artists such as Ayoni, Will Linley, Mishaal Tamer, NOTD, Clean Bandit, Lloyiso, Shekhinah, Lady Zamar, Ami Faku and Manu WorldStar, among others.

Further details and ticket information for Moya are available via the official ticketing link.