Welcome to our new segment called I'll Plug You Later where we plug the most promising hip hop acts before you see them everywhere. Introducing ASH, don't be fooled by the pretty face, because beauty is the beast.
First name Zamalwandle, last name Nzuza, stage name Ash, all the way from KwaZulu Natal in Umlazi. Influenced by Zakwe, Pro, Kwesta and Musiholiq, Ash started rapping in 2014 alongside Musiholiq and Xwise (producer) under a local
stable First Class Entertainment based in Umlazi, she recorded a lot of music and performed
in the streets of Durban and she got featured on Ladies Night which featured other various female emcees produced by Mbzet.
The success of this song and video triggered an up rise of women in KZN hip hop. Ash's obtained positive reviews and so popularity began to rise in the streets of KZN. Her position was certified further when the Ladies Night collaboration obtained TV and radio air play. The hype around her landed her a couple of features. In 2016 she embarked on a journey to release a project of her own. This was in a form of a 6 track E.P titled Six Digits with production from Xwise, Mbzet and Gsongz.
The success of the 6 Digits EP led to Ash being
discovered and signed by Boss Entertainment and made a move to Johannesburg. Her debut single under Boss Entertainment is titled We Next ft AJ Apple of which she performed on
club 808 and its been playlisted on various radio stations.
Ash's opened her 2018 with a release of a song called Dominoes. An emotional track about a troubles relationship. The song is special because it not what you expect from a typical Ash track. Ash sings to a mystery man about his transgression. "I thought w''ll never fall, like dominoes, I heard them play your song, on the radio"
Writer's Take.
In an genre dominated by men it is refreshing to see a new era with women gunning for the top spot. Ash is quite a unique case, you might look at her and assume she is gonna come out singing, but the uMlazi native spits harder and even better than some men in the the industry. Her song writing range is amazing, from hardcore, to kasi style, romance to story telling and impeccable lyricism. Her music showcases township pride with a commercial appeal. Her spot in the major leagues is definitely certified, it now just a matter of her showing up. And f she keeps going, that feature from her favorite rapper Nicki Minaj is not that far off.
Twitter: @Ash_Lwandie
Bookings: ncazelomtolo@gmail.com
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