Ishmael, the South African music legend, has once again shown his versatility as an artist with his latest single “Sangena.” Produced by Tee Jay and Play with JonTy, this track marks Ishmael’s entry into the AmaPiano genre, which has been taking the country by storm.

With a career spanning over three decades, Ishmael has constantly evolved and reinvented himself, establishing himself as one of the country’s most iconic musicians. From his early days with Prophets of Da City (POC) to being a founding member of the Kwaito group, Skeem, which released smash hits such as Waar Was Jy and Can’t Get among many others in the late 90’s. He had solo success with hits such as “Roba Letheka” and “Avulekile Amasango,” Ishmael has always pushed the boundaries of South African music. In the 2000’s Ishmael created yet another group called, JOZI, with DA L.E.S and Bongani Fassie – Jozi popularized hip hop with their unique blend of African sounds and the hip hop genre that the nation fell in love with.

Ishmael has always been keeping up with the current trends of the Urban Youth Market and stayed relevant and in the mainstream through the years. Ishmael, aka E’smile, aka Ishmiza is the only SA artist to perform at 4 Presidential Inaugurations since 1994; he has performed at the Inaugurations of Presidents, Nelson Mandela, Thabo Mbeki, Jacob Zuma twice.

His latest release “Sangena” is a departure from Ishmael’s previous offerings, showcasing his willingness to experiment and embrace new sounds. The track speaks of overcoming obstacles and breaking down barriers in pursuit of one’s dreams, with Ishmael encouraging listeners to persevere and not give up.

The song also pays tribute to the Kwaito classic “Mazola” by Mdu, using the word “sangena” to mean “we are inside” or “we are doing it.” This nod to South Africa’s rich musical history highlights Ishmael’s respect for the country’s musical heritage and his ability to fuse it with new sounds to create something fresh and exciting.

“Sangena” has already received positive reviews and has been featured in various TikTok videos as a popular sound. It is a testament to Ishmael’s continued relevance and influence on South African music, as he once again proves that he is a true musical pioneer.