NATIVE Premiere: Joya Mooi honours the fight against injustice with “Most Frail”
an homage to South African freedom fighters
Wrapped in her mesmerising vocals and her desire to explore past memories, pain, and the history of her father’s activism, Dutch singer and songwriter, Joya Mooi bears it all on her latest single “Most Frail”. With the assist of producers SIROJ & Blazehoven, Joya escapes into her element as she sings a heart-wrenching confessional that recalls past memories of her father’s activism and his fight for the liberation of South Africa from the apartheid regime.
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Although she was brought up in a small town an hour away from Amsterdam, Joya’s inquisition into her South African roots and heritage have always taken centre stage in her music and “Most Frail” is the most honest expression of this. Speaking about “Most Frail”, Joya explains that: “Freedom fighters are sometimes put on pedestals, but are mostly forgotten. And the ones who’ve survived, that came back, I believe they have never fully returned. “Most Frail” is about all the stories we’ve lost – through them – in the wake of liberation.”
To expand the world around her new release, Joya has now shared the video for “Most Frail” which will be released officially later today. The new video captures moments of contemporary dance and movement by Ibrah Silas Jackson as Joya Mooi and her collaborators use non-verbal expressions to represent the strength and fervour of her father and freedom fighters. “The dance gives a form of clarity and focus to the story that is being portrayed,” Joya says, as she speaks to how she was able to meticulously work in her family’s life experiences and heritage.
Ahead of the video’s official release, we caught up with Joya Mooi on the inspiration behind the video, the process of creating it, and the decision to honour her father and her nation’s freedom fighters.
Her answers which follow below have been lightly edited for clarity.
NATIVE: Hey Joya, so “Most Frail” is inspired by your father, could you give us an understanding as to how he inspires the song?
JOYA: I’ve seen from up close what the consequences are of fighting against injustice. My father was a member of the ANC and so part of the liberation of South Africa. Many people see them as heroes, but there’s little eye for the loss and trauma that they’ve endured, back then and even now. Most Frail is about all the stories we have lost in exile, in post-apartheid – all the stories that have not come to life- in the wake of liberation.
NATIVE: What was it like working with the producers, SIROJ & Blazehoven?
JOYA: Almost a year ago I wrote “Most Frail” in a session with Blazehoven. This beat directly spoke to me and later SIROJ contributed more layers to it, while simultaneously giving more space for this personal tale. I love creating music like this, just fully leaning into what a story needs and taking my time with it.
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NATIVE: What was the main idea and feeling that you wished to convey in the video?
JOYA: With the visuals for “Most Frail,” I wanted to touch on freedom and escapism. The relation between principles and reality, how alienating the world can be. With scenes reflecting on people who’ve become their own shadows.
NATIVE: Alongside the incredible scenery, the film captures moments where we also see the male lead free and running. Why was it important to depict moments such as this?
JOYA: I think the path to mental freedom is such an important part of this story. Can you actually become free in this world filled with inequality? How you cope with life – amongst everything- is a battle only you can fight.
Catch a first look at the video for “Most Frail” below.
Featured image credits/Courtesy of the artist
Asake Links With Tiakola On Gritty “BADMAN GANSTA”
Another step towards ‘Money,’ his fourth
Street-pop star, Asake, has released a surprise new single titled “BADMAN GANSTA.” Produced by super producer, P.Priime, the single, Asake’s second of the year, arrives with a crisp black and white feature and a stellar guest verse from French rapper and singer Tiakola.
The singer posted the full music video–a monochromatic montage of dazzling shots and scenes of his opulent lifestyle–across his different social media handles on Thursday evening, July 24, with a caption that read, ‘The World Of Money.’
Earlier in June, the ex-YBNL star announced a new album titled ‘Money.’ A few months before that, he released a loosie titled “Military” and then “WHY LOVE,” his first official single under his new imprint Giran Republic. “Military” served as a bookend to the first arc of his impressive career as much as an announcement of a new era, while “WHY LOVE” officially kicked off season two.
Following the release of “WHY LOVE,” Asake has also featured on songs like Olamide’s “99,” J Hus’ “Gold”, and Young Jonn’s “Che Che,” delivering standout verses that favour a melodious, laid-back approach as opposed to the spirited, fast-paced style that earned him success early on. “BADMAN GANSTA” also excels with this approach, as Asake’s melodious musings about his current lifestyle dovetail nicely with Tiakola’s equally sturdy verse over a plush beat that samples Amerie’s 2005 classic “1 Thing.”
With Asake releasing three albums in as many years, it’s not unreasonable to assume ‘Money’ might arrive before the end of the year. There’s also the possibility that he might be willing to take his time a little more now, seeing as he his under his imprint now.
Whatever the case may be, ‘Money’ is likely to arrive sooner rather than later, and it will be fascinating to see what other aces Asake has up his sleeves.
Listen to “BADMAN GANSTA” here.
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Ayra Starr Releases Her Sizzling Anthem, “Hot Body”
An 11th-hour summer anthem for the
Ayra Starr has released her highly anticipated single “Hot Body.”
The Mavin popstar has been teasing the new single for a few weeks now, posting multiple promotional videos across social media that built up significant excitement for her third official release of the year. The release of “Hot Body” comes on the heels of recent reports that confirmed the Grammy-nominated singer had officially joined Roc Nation’s roster, the American music label, entertainment, and sports services company founded by rapper and business mogul JAY-Z.
Earlier in February, Ayra Starr shared “All The Love,” a sumptuous Afropop ballad produced by labelmate Johnny Drille and Teemode, before releasing the sleek and sensual Wizkid-assisted “Gimmie Dat” about months later. In that time period, the singer picked up two awards at the 2025 MOBO Awards for Best African Music Act and Best International Act before also clinching her first BET award for Best International Act in June.
It was recently announced that the pop singer would be joining Coldplay on the UK leg of their Music Of The Spheres World Tour between August to September, and her impressive year continues with the release of “Hot Body.” Once again, teaming up with close collaborator Ragee and UK production duo The Elements, Ayra Starr manages to deliver a sweetly erotic summer jam that’s sure to elicit plenty lip-biting, hip gyrating, and flirty winks. “Look what a hot body can do,” she sings repeatedly, almost like an enchantress performing a magic trick.
With her current deal with Mavin and Universal Music still running and the recent confirmation of her management deal with Roc Nation, it’s safe to assume that “Hot Body” might garner significant momentum both at home and abroad. Outside of her music, the singer recently wrapped up the shooting of the film adaptation of Tomi Adeyemi’s Children of Blood and Bone which is reportedly set for release in early 2027.
Listen to “Hot Body” here.
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Zulo Details His Evolution On New ‘Z’ EP
Packed with his reflections on faith, love, and cultural pride, ‘Z’ distills ZULO’s thoughts into a...
ZULO is no stranger to reinvention. Formerly known as Lil Trix, the rapper rose through the ranks with a series of gritty mixtapes that chronicled his upbringing, thrills, and connection to the community. Since his rebrand, he’s steadily grown into a renowned voice in South African Hip-Hop, regarded for his storytelling, cultural homage, and genre fusion.
Three years after the release of ‘Talk To Me Naace,’ his reintroduction to the scene, ZULO has returned with ‘Z,’ a three-track EP that shows a glimpse of his evolution as an artist and human. Packed with his reflections on faith, love, and cultural pride, ‘Z’ distills ZULO’s thoughts into a refined sound that’s bold, emotional, and distinctly South African.
The three-tracker opens with “God’s Armour,” a gospel-inflected protest anthem layered with brass and trap drums. It is followed by “Sweeter Success,” an infectious Afropop-inspired groove built around a nostalgic sample of UPZ’s iconic “Pure Surprise”. Beneath its shine lies a darker message: the emotional cost of ambition, the toll of always pushing for more. ZULO produced the track himself, with additional production from Miglow and SpiceDrums.
‘Z’ closes with “Spaan”, a gritty street anthem that samples Kamazu and confronts addiction, poverty, and the lingering scars of apartheid through the lens of coloured identity. “These songs are battle cries and war journals,” ZULO says. “‘Z’ is everything I’ve fought through to stand where I am. The EP follows a strong run of 2024 singles, including “Adawise,” “JOL,” “Garden,” and “Smaak To Love (Lamza).”
Listen to ‘Z’ here.
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