Nia Pearl and Goon Flavour find the rhythm of love in genre-blending new single “Murhandziwa” -

Love has its own language. Sometimes it is spoken in a promise, sealed with a ring or remembered long after the music stops. Now, Nia Pearl and Goon Flavour are giving it a rhythm of its own with Murhandziwa, an experimental collaboration that brings together the soul of Amapiano and the infectious energy of Lekompo. The single is out today, Friday, 6 November 2026.

Murhandziwa arrives just as South Africa enters its season of weddings, summer romance and festive celebrations. It is a love song designed to move between intimate dedications and lively dance floors, bringing emotion and rhythm together in a sound that feels at home in both worlds.

The collaboration unites Nia Pearl’s expressive, soul-infused vocals with Goon Flavour’s distinctive approach to contemporary South African music. The result is a meeting of musical sensibilities that explores the softer side of dance music without losing the pulse that makes it irresistible.

For Nia Pearl, whose artistry moves between Amapiano, jazz, Afro-soul and neo-soul, the single offers another opportunity to explore the emotional depth of her voice while pushing beyond familiar musical boundaries.

Born Peleka Lwana in eMthatha in the Eastern Cape, Nia Pearl built her musical foundation through years of performance and collaborations with some of South Africa’s most influential producers, including Kabza De Small, DJ Maphorisa, Kelvin Momo, Sam Deep and Mas Musiq.

Her contribution to hit single Shela, which has surpassed 30 million Spotify streams, cemented her place among the country’s leading Amapiano vocalists. With the song’s success reaching beyond streaming platforms and into the national conversation, Nia Pearl continues to build a musical identity that balances commercial appeal with soulful expression.

On Murhandziwa, that identity meets the evolving sounds of Lekompo in a collaboration that speaks to the many ways South Africans experience and celebrate love.

“I’m drawn to music that makes you feel something before you even have the words to explain it. Love can be soft, exciting, overwhelming and beautiful all at once, and I wanted Murhandziwa to carry that feeling. I hope people make it part of their own stories – play it at their weddings, dedicate it to someone they love or simply let themselves get lost in the music,” says Nia Pearl.

For Goon Flavour, the collaboration embraces the creative possibilities of a South African music scene where sounds continue to cross boundaries, evolve and find new audiences. By bringing Lekompo and soulful Amapiano into the same space, Murhandziwa reflects a willingness to experiment while keeping the listener and the feeling at the centre of the music.

“South African music is exciting because there is always something new happening. Different sounds meet, people bring their own flavour, and something unexpected comes out of it. With Murhandziwa, I wanted that feeling of movement, but also something people can connect with emotionally. It’s a song you can dedicate to your person and still enjoy when the beat takes over. That’s the beauty of making music – it can touch your heart and get your body moving at the same time,” says Goon Flavour.

Murhandziwa arrives ahead of Nia Pearl’s highly anticipated debut album, planned for January 2027 – a project expected to offer a fuller expression of the voice and musical influences that have shaped her journey.

With the new collaboration now available, listeners get another glimpse into her evolving artistry: rooted in feeling, open to experimentation and connected to the sounds moving South African dance music forward.

As summer approaches, Nia Pearl and Goon Flavour are bringing a simple message to the dance floor: love deserves a soundtrack.

“Murhandziwa” by Nia Pearl and Goon Flavour is out now on all major streaming platforms.

Stream: https://Legacy.lnk.to/Murhandziwa

TEA WITH NIA PEARL

Your new single, Murhandziwa, with Goon Flavour blends Lekompo and soulful Amapiano. What inspired this combination, and what excited you about experimenting with these two sounds?

For me, music has always been about exploring and allowing myself to be inspired by different sounds. Lekompo has such a beautiful energy and character, while soulful Amapiano gives you room to express emotion and tell a story. Bringing the two together felt like a natural and exciting opportunity to create something that is both vibrant and soulful. Working with Goon Flavour also allowed us to bring different creative energies into one record. I love that Murhandziwa has its own identity while still feeling familiar to the people who have followed my music.

Murhandziwa is a love song arriving just ahead of the festive season and wedding season. What does the song mean to you personally, and what do you hope listeners feel when they hear it?

Murhandziwa is really a celebration of love and the beautiful feeling of being loved and appreciated. I think sometimes we get so caught up in life that we forget to celebrate those special connections. Personally, I love music that makes you feel something, whether that’s happiness, nostalgia or even a little romance. With Murhandziwa, I want people to feel good. I want couples to make memories to it, for it to find its way onto wedding playlists, at family celebrations and in those special moments when people come together. Ultimately, it’s a song about love, and I hope people experience that feeling when they listen to it.

As an artist, how do you balance staying true to the sound your fans know with taking creative risks and exploring new musical directions?

I think the most important thing is understanding who you are as an artist. Your sound will naturally evolve as you grow, experience life and discover new things about yourself. I never want to feel boxed into one particular sound because music is such a beautiful space for exploration. At the same time, I understand that people connect with certain qualities in my music, and I don’t take that relationship for granted. For me, it’s about evolving without losing my identity. I want my fans to grow with me and be excited about the different musical experiences I bring to them.

How would you describe your personal sound at this stage of your career? With influences ranging from Amapiano and Afro-Soul to jazz and other sounds, what makes a Nia Pearl record unmistakably yours?

I would describe my sound as soulful, expressive and constantly evolving. I’ve always been drawn to music that carries emotion and allows the vocalist to tell a story. My influences are quite broad, from Afro-Soul and jazz to Amapiano and other African sounds, and I think that diversity finds its way into my music. What makes a Nia Pearl record unmistakably mine is the emotion I bring to it, the way I interpret a melody and the intention behind the vocals. Regardless of the genre or production, I want there to be a certain soul and sincerity that people can recognise.

Your hit Shela reached major milestones and connected with audiences across the country. What have you learnt from that success about the kind of music that resonates with South Africans, and has it changed how you approach making music?

Shela has been such a beautiful experience for me, and one of the biggest lessons has been understanding the power of connection. South Africans love music that makes them feel something, but they also love music that brings people together. A song can become much bigger than the studio experience you had when creating it. It can become part of people’s everyday lives, celebrations and memories. That has taught me to trust the music and not overthink the process. I still want to experiment and challenge myself creatively, but I am also more conscious of creating music that people can genuinely connect with. At the end of the day, music belongs to the people who receive it.

You are preparing to release your debut album in January 2027. What can listeners expect from this project, and will it reveal a different side of Nia Pearl that they may not have heard before?

This album is a very special milestone for me because it represents a journey, not just musically but personally as well. I want it to give people a better understanding of who Nia Pearl is beyond the singles and collaborations they’ve come to know. There will be different sounds, different moods and different expressions of me as an artist. I want to showcase my versatility, my love for soulful music and my willingness to explore. I also want people to hear the vulnerability, confidence and growth that come with this journey. It’s important to me that the album feels authentic, something that I can look back on and say this is truly who I am at this stage of my life and career. I’m excited for people to experience that side of me.

As you look at your journey so far, from performing at events such as Standard Bank Joy of Jazz to becoming part of the Amapiano scene, what has changed most about you as an artist, and what do you still want to prove or explore musically?

I think the biggest change has been my confidence in myself and my understanding of my place in the music industry. Experiences like performing at Standard Bank Joy of Jazz gave me an appreciation for musicianship, live performance and the storytelling element of music. My journey into Amapiano has opened up a different world, allowing me to connect with a much broader audience and explore new creative possibilities. I’ve learnt that I don’t have to choose between the different musical influences that make me who I am. I can embrace all of them. There is still so much I want to explore, from more live musical experiences to international collaborations and experimenting with different sounds. I don’t feel like I have anything to prove as much as I have so much more of myself to share. I want to build a lasting musical legacy, and I believe I’m only getting started.