Durban-born DJ and producer Dlala Thukzin is entering a new era with Ember, an eight-track project that reflects both his staying power and his willingness to evolve. Long associated with dancefloors, festivals and international stages, the iPlan hitmaker says his sound can shift while its foundation remains intact.
Ember is scheduled for a global release on 30 October. The producer’s latest body of work arrives as he continues to build on a career defined by Afro-tech, Gqom and Amapiano-driven records.
At a private listening event for the project, Dlala Thukzin discussed the significance of its title, his hands-on studio approach and the balance he maintains between South African identity and worldwide appeal.
Quick facts
- Ember is an eight-song project due worldwide on 30 October.
- Poet Zama Mkhize delivers the spoken-word opening.
- Guest contributors include Kabza De Small, Stunna, Sino Msolo and Funky Qla.
- The music moves from high-energy dance tracks into slower, more contemplative material.
- Dlala Thukzin combines club-ready drums with lyrics intended to connect broadly.
The meaning behind Ember
The record begins with a spoken-word passage from Zama Mkhize, creating a nostalgic atmosphere and introducing the emotional direction of the project. From there, the eight-track release unfolds as a carefully structured musical journey.
For Dlala Thukzin, an ember represents what is left after a fire has burned down — whether it is wood or coal — and the possibility that the flame can be revived. “Ember can either be coal or wood,” he says. “When the flames from a fire die out, that’s what remains, so you can still awaken the fire with that.”
The image mirrors both his personal endurance and his path in music. Even after a fire appears to fade, its source can remain strong enough to flare up again.
“With my album, the music always changes, but I’m still able to stick to my sound,” he says. “Whatever happens, the fire may die out, but I’m still able to rise.”
Sonically, Ember opens with lively, dance-focused energy. Its blend of Afro-tech, Gqom and Amapiano is designed to get listeners moving before the project transitions into gentler, more introspective songs that call for closer attention.
A precise approach to collaboration
Dlala Thukzin brings the same attention to detail to his collaborators as he does to his production. Kabza De Small, Stunna, Sino Msolo and Funky Qla are among the major names featured across Ember.
He says vocal collaborations are never left to chance. “When it comes to vocals, I always direct the person in terms of what I want in a song,” he explains. “When I record with someone, I always make sure that they are compatible with my sound.”
That creative direction stems from a deeply personal relationship with music. Dlala Thukzin says songs offer a way to communicate emotions and experiences that can be difficult to put into ordinary conversation.
“We go through a lot as people, and some things we can’t talk about, and I express myself through my music,” he says. “When you listen to my songs, they are either about love or struggle.”
Keeping Mzansi at the centre
Ember lands during a major period for Dlala Thukzin’s international career, as South African music continues to gain ground around the world. He sees himself as part of that growing global wave while remaining committed to carrying a recognisable Mzansi sound into major spaces abroad.
His formula is built on finding middle ground between mass appeal and the energy of the club. “My beats have a drum that feels like club music, but the message of the lyrics accommodates everyone,” he says.
Despite taking his music beyond South Africa, Dlala Thukzin says his focus remains tied to home. “We always go overseas, so we know what they need there, but then we come back home with it because we don’t want to move away too much from the South African feel.”
He also notices clear differences between international crowds and audiences in South Africa. Abroad, he says, listeners are often more open to hearing an entire album during a set and dancing from beginning to end.
“Travelling means being able to play what I play,” he says.
In South Africa, the nightlife experience is shaped by its own club culture, including table bookings and VIP settings. Still, he believes his musical blueprint can work across different territories and changing crowd expectations.
Through the industry’s demanding schedule and pressures, Dlala Thukzin says gratitude keeps him focused. “I’ve never felt like giving up,” he says. “God has given me the talent of both producing and DJing.”
With Ember, he presents each song as another ignition point — reinforcing his status as one of the leading forces shaping contemporary South African dance music.
DJ Shimza has also spoken about his journey from Tembisa to Ibiza, performing for international audiences while holding on to his roots.
