The post KindlyNxsh Confronts Identity & Belonging In His Most Personal Exploration Yet, “Shona Man” appeared first on SA Hip Hop Mag.
KindlyNxsh Confronts Identity & Belonging In His Most Personal Exploration Yet, “Shona Man.” KindlyNxsh is embracing his roots and redefining what it means to belong with Shona Man, a project that explores identity, cultural pride and self-acceptance. Born in Zimbabwe and raised in South Africa, the rapper draws from his experiences of navigating two countries, turning questions of belonging and self-worth into an honest reflection of his journey towards embracing every part of himself.
The project marks a creative evolution for KindlyNxsh, who experiments with Afrobeats and rave sounds while introducing Shona into his music for the first time. Inspired in part by the legacy of Zimbabwean music legend Oliver Mtukudzi, Shona Man bridges his cultural upbringing with the artist he has become in South Africa.
In this interview with SA Hip Hop Mag, KindlyNxsh opens up about the personal experiences that inspired the project, his journey towards embracing his Zimbabwean heritage, his creative partnership with BabyDaiz and his ambition to take African stories and sounds to a global audience. Ultimately, Shona Man delivers a powerful message about identity and belonging, reminding listeners that they should never have to hide any part of themselves to feel accepted.
1. You were born in Zimbabwe and raised in South Africa. How have both countries shaped you as a person and as an artist?
Growing up between Zimbabwe and South Africa has shaped how I see myself and the world around me. Both countries have contributed to who I am today, shaping my experiences, my identity, and the music I create. South Africa has played a major role in my artistic journey, while Zimbabwe remains an important part of my roots and upbringing. I’ve come to understand that I don’t have to choose between the two because both have made me who I am.
2. You’ve described Shona Man as a project that reconnects you with your Zimbabwean roots. What inspired you to explore this part of your identity more openly at this stage of your career?
I think it was something I needed to do for myself. For a long time, I wasn’t always comfortable openly embracing that part of my identity, and I realised I needed to understand myself better. Shona Man gave me the opportunity to explore where I come from and be more honest about my experiences. I wanted to turn something I once felt insecure about into something I could be proud of, while also creating something that other people who have had similar experiences could relate to.
3. The title Shona Man carries a strong sense of identity and pride. What does the title mean to you personally, and what do you hope listeners understand when they hear it?
To me, Shona Man is about embracing who you are without feeling like you have to explain or apologise for it. It represents my Zimbabwean roots and the journey towards accepting every part of myself. I hope listeners understand that your background is something to be proud of, not something you should hide to fit in. You can belong to more than one place and still be completely yourself.
4. The album explores themes of identity, xenophobia, belonging and self-worth. Which of these themes was the most personal for you to address, and why?
Identity and belonging were probably the most personal because they are at the heart of why I made this project. Growing up between two countries can sometimes leave you questioning where you fit in, especially when people make you feel like an outsider. I had to confront some of those feelings and learn to embrace who I am. Shona Man became a way for me to process those experiences and remind myself, and others, that our worth isn’t determined by how other people perceive us.
5. Sonically, how did you approach Shona Man to ensure the music reflected your Zimbabwean roots while still representing the artist you have become in South Africa?
I wanted the project to reflect both sides of me. I explored Afrobeats and rave sounds that I hadn’t released before, while incorporating elements of Zimbabwean musical heritage. I also introduced Shona as a language in my music for the first time. The goal wasn’t to leave behind the sound people know me for, but to expand it and show another side of my creativity. I produced eight of the nine tracks, which allowed me to be hands-on with how the project came together and ensure it represented my vision.
6. Were there particular Zimbabwean musical influences, cultural elements, languages or sounds that you deliberately wanted to incorporate into the album?
Definitely. Zimbabwean music has always been part of my upbringing, especially the music of the legendary Oliver Mtukudzi. His records were a big part of my life, so revisiting “Neria” and “Todii” was a very personal experience. I wanted to honour that influence while bringing my own interpretation to these songs. Introducing Shona into my music was also important because it allowed me to connect more directly with my roots and share that part of my identity with listeners.
7. Did making this album change the way you see yourself creatively? Are there things you now feel more comfortable expressing in your music that you might not have explored before?
Absolutely. Making Shona Man pushed me to be more open and vulnerable in my music. It challenged me to explore parts of myself that I hadn’t fully expressed before, both creatively and personally. I’m now more comfortable embracing my background and telling stories that come directly from my experiences. It also reminded me that I don’t have to limit myself to one sound or one version of who I am as an artist.
8. Your close collaborator BabyDaiz shares your ambition to take African stories and sounds to a global audience. How did the two of you approach the creative process behind Shona Man?
BabyDaiz is my close collaborator and best friend, so we share a vision of taking African stories and sounds to a global audience. That shared ambition is an important part of how we approach what we create. With Shona Man, the intention was to make something authentic to our experiences while creating music that could connect with people beyond our immediate surroundings.
9. You want to take African stories and sounds to a global audience. What do you believe African artists can offer the international music scene that is not always being heard or represented?
African artists have so many stories, sounds, languages and cultural experiences that the world still needs to hear. Our music comes from different backgrounds and realities, and that diversity is what makes it so powerful. I believe we can bring fresh perspectives to the global music scene by telling our stories authentically instead of feeling pressured to fit into what is already popular internationally. For me, Shona Man is an example of how you can embrace your roots, experiment with contemporary sounds and still create something that can connect with people anywhere in the world.
10. What would success for Shona Man look like beyond streaming numbers, chart positions and commercial recognition?
For me, success would be knowing that the project helped someone feel more comfortable with who they are. If someone listens to Shona Man and feels seen, understood or inspired to embrace their background, then the music has done something meaningful. I also hope it encourages people to be more accepting of others and recognise that our differences shouldn’t determine whether we belong. Beyond the numbers, I want the project to leave a lasting message about identity, pride and self-acceptance.
11. When listeners finish listening to Shona Man, what is the one thing you hope they take away about KindlyNxsh?
I hope they understand that I’m more than one thing, and that every part of my identity contributes to who I am. I’m South African and Zimbabwean, and I’m proud of both. Shona Man is my way of embracing that truth and encouraging others to do the same. You shouldn’t have to shrink any part of yourself to feel like you belong.
The post KindlyNxsh Confronts Identity & Belonging In His Most Personal Exploration Yet, “Shona Man” appeared first on SA Hip Hop Mag.
The post KindlyNxsh Confronts Identity & Belonging In His Most Personal Exploration Yet, “Shona Man” appeared first on SA Hip Hop Mag.
KindlyNxsh Confronts Identity & Belonging In His Most Personal Exploration Yet, “Shona Man.” KindlyNxsh is embracing his roots and redefining what it means to belong with Shona Man, a project that explores identity, cultural pride and self-acceptance. Born in Zimbabwe and raised in South Africa, the rapper draws from his experiences of navigating two countries, …
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