Apple Music: Latest Africa Rising recipient is RnB Singer-Songwriter, Manana

Apple Music today announced the latest featured artist in its Africa Rising artist development program is Eswatini born contemporary R&B singer-songwriter, Manana (real name Ndumiso Manana).

“Excitement doesn’t begin to describe my feelings,” He tells Apple Music. “We’ve been working for years to release this project, being able to release it and be a part of the Africa Rising program is a privilege.”

Born and raised in Mbabane in Eswatini, Manana immersed himself in all things music-related from a young age and as a result began to write, produce and perform his original compositions, as well as establishing himself as a prolific lyricist for Usher, Pheelz, Nasty C, Sauti Sol, Tyla, Amanda Black, Ami Faku, Shekhinah, and Burna Boy, where he is credited as a songwriter on the Nigerian superstar’s Grammy-winning album, Twice As Tall.

Manana’s debut solo EP, In the beginning was the end (2020), was a nostalgic ode to R&B told in reverse, capturing the light and shade of growing and fading relationships which used his own marriage as his compass. His single “Sunday Morning” featuring Rowlene, was also included on Apple Music’s Top 100 tracks of 2020 at the end of the year.

His follow-up releases, But Could The Moments In Between (2022) and Comma (2022), showcase Manana’s versatility as he seamlessly navigates through electronic dance music, soulful R&B, Afrobeats, Amapiano fusion, and introspective acoustic ballads. The following year, Manana achieved a significant milestone by winning the prestigious South African Music Award for Best R&B Album in 2023, reinforcing his prowess as a triple threat.

His debut album, Our Broken Hearts Mend (2024), available to stream on Apple Music, completes his trilogy of releases over the last five years. The journey began with the slow-burner EP In the Beginning Was the End (2020), followed by the emotionally textured EP But Could the Moments In Between (2022). Now, with the final chapter, he brings his protagonist’s journey to a close in Our Broken Hearts Mend.

The latest music from Manana along with that of Africa’s hottest new artists, is available now on the Apple Music Africa Rising Playlist.

Discover Africa Rising here: applemusic.com/africarising

Apple Music’s Africa Rising, is an exclusive artist development programme and companion playlist geared towards identifying, showcasing and elevating rising talent and introducing the next generation of African superstars. Africa Rising alumni to date include: Omah Lay, Tems, Amaarae, Ayra Starr, Blxckie and Nikita Kering. Africa Rising sees Apple Music select six artists every year who each receive a minimum of two months of editorial support across the Apple Music platform including a launch interview with Nadeska on Apple Music 1. Nadeska has also launched a new weekly Africa Rising feature on her show highlighting the hottest new artists on the continent.

Africa Rising is the latest of many Apple Music initiatives aimed at taking African talent to the world. Now available in 33 countries across Sub-Saharan Africa, Apple Music 1 is home to Africa Now Radio with host Nandi Madida which has featured interviews with some of the continent’s hottest artists such as Rema, Tyla, Ayra Starr, Adekunle Gold, Omah Lay, Olamide, Shallipopi, Tyler ICU, Nasty C, Bnxn, Mr Eazi, ODUMODUBLVCK, Blxckie and Fireboy DML.

Apple Music also selected Nigerian Afrobeats singer-songwriter Tems as its Up Next artist in 2021, Nigerian Afropop star Rema in 2020, Grammy Award-winning Afrofusion superstar Burna Boy in 2019, and Nigerian singer and entrepreneur Mr Eazi as the first recipient in 2017. Up Next is Apple Music’s global emerging artist program.