Zulu Mkhathini on his rising career: I’m a brand

He pulls up in a Jeep, his two assistants toting several outfits from a previous shoot. They’re on hand to style Zulu Mkhathini, but the rapper’s already looking sharp in a maroon shirt and matching tailored pants. His hair’s closely shaven in a trendy fade cut, his hands freshly manicured. It takes work to look this good, but he doesn’t mind going the extra mile. He has a reputation to maintain, after all. Zulu Mkhathini is the slay king formerly known as Dash from the hip-hop trio Dreamteam.

After eight years with the group, he left in 2017 to make a name for himself as a solo artist
“I didn’t want to limit myself to being just a rapper,” he tells us. “Not to sound self-absorbed or arrogant, but I’m a brand. It’s what I’ve always wanted to be, and the name Zulu Mkhathini is authentically African, yet it has an international ring.

Now he’s a brand ambassador for a Swiss watch company and he’s making money through partnerships, endorsements and his own clothing line. But while his fashion game may be strong, music remains his first love. The rapper recently released a track with Moonchild Sanelly – who features on Beyoncé’s latest album, The Lion King: The Gift – and fans are going wild for it.

Shikisha, which means “shake your body”, is the first single off his as yet untitled new album which is due to drop in 2020. The last time he and Ayanda spoke was on the set of Celebrity Game Night where he was a guest. “We’re cool, we shot together the whole day and it wasn’t awkward at all. “It was like good mates catching up, no hostility whatsoever.”

He’s in no rush to get into a relationship and would prefer not to date someone in the industry. “I just want our spirits to connect before we start dating. I behave very differently from a lot of guys I know. I read books, watch documentaries and I study brands. I don’t like small talk. I can’t entertain a random girl I can’t have good conversations with – I’ll end up telling her to read a book.”

He’s always had a solid sense of identity. Born Mthokozisi Nqabakazulu Mkhathini, he grew up in Ntuzuma in KwaZulu-Natal, the only son of Nokuthula Gladness Mkhathini (59). “I’m the heir of theMkhathini home,” he says.

“My mom wanted me to change the black man’s narrative into something positive and the girl I date needs to be the same.” He has great respect for his mother and sister, Ntombi (30). “Ntombi introduced me to almost everything I know. She started rapping before me, she was dancing and took the lead in everything. I was a rascal growing up, but I never got caught because she laid down the law.

In other news – Julius Malema’s sweet message to his wife: She is perfect and I love her so much

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