Award-winning rapper and musician Big Zulu, real name Siyabonga Nene, has always been known for his deep storytelling and powerful sense of identity, but his latest project takes things to a more intimate level.
The Inkabi Nation founder has teamed up with his daughter Siphesihle Nene for a heartfelt new EP that blends heritage, love, and generational creativity in a way that’s both refreshing and emotional.
“Honestly, it was a very organic process,” he told Sunday World. “She’s always been around music, humming melodies, writing little poems. One day I was in my home studio, and she just started singing a hook idea. It was so pure that I immediately hit record, and that’s where it all began.”
Fresh contemporary energy to the mix
The collaboration between father and daughter has resulted in what Big Zulu describes as a “blend of my grounded, soulful Inkabi style with her fresh, contemporary energy.”
The project, he says, is about connection and legacy. A musical dialogue between two generations who see the world through different, yet deeply intertwined, perspectives.
Working together in the studio, Big Zulu says, was “a beautiful dance” between being a father and a fellow artist.
“At first, the dad in me wanted to just protect and encourage her,” he said. “But soon, the artist in me had to respect her talent and her creative ideas. She has her own voice, and I had to learn to listen as a collaborator, not as a parent.”
That collaboration also brought them closer on a personal level.
“It added a new layer to our relationship,” he shared. “We’re not just father and daughter anymore; we are creative confidants.”
More than just about music
For Big Zulu, this project is not just about music, it is about continuing a legacy.
“It’s not about handing over a crown,” he said.
“It’s about showing that the essence of Inkabi storytelling, authenticity, and soul is timeless. She’s not inheriting it, she’s reinventing it.”
The pair’s chemistry isn’t confined to the studio either. Fans can expect visuals and live performances featuring both of them.
“We’ve already shot something very special,” he teased. “Sharing the stage with her will be one of the highlights of my career.”
When asked what he’d tell parents who want to nurture their children’s artistic dreams, Big Zulu’s answer was grounded in love and patience.
“Listen first. Don’t just hear the noise, hear the creativity behind it. Create a space where they can explore and even fail without judgment. Be their biggest fan, not their harshest critic.”
Leveraging on family ties
As for what he hopes fans will take away from the project?
“Love,” he said simply. “And a reminder that the greatest collaborations in life are built on the bonds we already have.”
“Education comes first, that’s something I’ve made very clear to her from the start. Music is a gift, but school is the foundation. We’ve made an agreement that her studies will always be the priority. And we only work on music during weekends or school holidays.
“Her music career is more like her extra mural activity on condition that her schoolwork is done, exams and tests she up to date including getting tutors for her. Gigs will be when it’s holiday season.”
With this father-daughter collaboration, Big Zulu said he is not just making music. He is making history, turning family ties into harmony and ensuring that the Inkabi legacy continues to echo across generations.
