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The brand has faced criticism in recent months for its reduction in dealerships, which has led to speculation of it possibly leaving South Africa at some stage.
Compact in length but expansive in meaning, Z showcases a refined evolution of the artist once known as Lil Trix, now fully redefined and rooted in purpose.
“This EP is everything I’ve fought through to stand where I am,” ZULO tells GQ South Africa. “These songs are battle cries and war journals.”
A Journey of Reinvention
ZULO is no newcomer to the mic or the industry. Once a teenage mixtape prodigy with eight independent projects and radio spins on YFM and 5FM, he made waves as a finalist on ShizNiz’s King of the Mixtape.
But it's his recent transformation—both sonically and spiritually—that's earned him a seat among South Africa’s most introspective Hip-Hop Voices.
His rebrand from Lil Trix to ZULO was more than just a name change; it marked the start of a journey centred around storytelling, healing, and cultural reclamation. With the Z EP, ZULO sharpens that identity into a symbol of growth and authenticity.
Lead Single: Sweeter Success—Triumph Laced With Tension
The lead single "Sweeter Success" drops alongside the EP and is already turning heads. It's an Afrobeats-inspired groove crafted around a nostalgic sample of UPZ’s iconic “Pure Surprise”, a South African house classic still guaranteed to light up local dancefloors.
But beneath its upbeat rhythm lies a sobering narrative about the emotional toll of chasing greatness.
“The fact that you can go to every event in the country and the DJ always drops Pure Surprise, that’s culture,” ZULO explains. “I needed that feeling. I needed them to feel a memory when listening to this song. It’s a cheat code, really.”
Produced by ZULO himself, with support from Miglow and SpiceDrums, Sweeter Successperfectly captures that contradiction—triumphant yet weary, celebratory yet cautionary.
Each Track on Z serves a distinct purpose, exploring different layers of ZULO’s identity and South Africa’s post-apartheid psyche:
- “God’s Armour” opens the EP with brass-heavy gospel flair mixed with trap drums—a spiritual protest anthem that declares resilience in the face of generational adversity.
- “Sweeter Success” acts as the emotional centrepiece, questioning what success really costs when you're always chasing more.
- “Spaan”, which closes the project, is a hard-hitting street anthem that samples Kamazu and confronts issues like addiction, poverty, and marginalisation through the lens of coloured identity.
“Z isn’t just a project—it’s a statement,” he says. “It’s about ownership, legacy, and refusing to be boxed in.”
The metallic Z logo that adorns the project isn’t just branding; it’s a signature. A badge of resilience, evolution, and artistic freedom. With this release, ZULO isn’t just positioning himself as a rapper—he’s presenting himself as a cultural symbol sharpened by adversity and deeply rooted in South African truth.
Coming off a strong string of 2024 singles like Adawise, JOL, Garden, and Smaak To Love (Lamza), this EP feels like a culmination. Z is not only a sonic shift—it's a declaration.
For those who’ve followed his journey, Z is proof that ZULO isn’t just finding his voice—he’s owning it. The EP will be available on all Streaming Platform.
Issued on GQ South Africa by Luthando Vikilahle | https://www.gq.co.za/culture/music/zulo-to-drop-z-ep-a-sonic-battle-cry-fusing-faith-culture-and-legacy-c67fbfb5-b76b-4d30-84db-5ecf67e965fd
