THE FUSE

South African singer-songwriter Garth Brown has returned with his new single “Endaweni,” an isiZulu song that blends spiritual themes with Afro-house sounds.

Best known as the voice behind Jaguar Paw’s house classic “Inhliziyo Yam,” Brown is now stepping forward as a solo artist after years of working behind the scenes in A&R and music marketing in the African music industry.

Written by Brown and Lady Du, “Endaweni” is the first single from his debut EP Let There Be Light, which is now available on all streaming platforms.

OK Mzansi Magazine spoke to Brown following the release of “Endaweni.” The song marks a new chapter in his career as he introduces listeners to his debut EP, Let There Be Light.

1. After years of working behind the scenes in A&R and music marketing, what inspired you to step forward again as a solo artist with “Endaweni”?

Stepping forward as a solo artist felt like an inevitable change for me. In many ways, I feel this transition actually happened late, but I trust that everything happens in God’s time. Having spent over a decade as a cultural strategist and executive at one of the big three record labels, I now have industry experience and a much deeper understanding of myself than I did years ago. It is a calling — and as they say, a calling never stops calling until you answer it.

2. Many listeners still remember your voice from the house classic “Inhliziyo Yam.” How does this new chapter differ from that era of your career?

“Inhliziyo Yam” was the record where people first recognised my voice, but at that time I was still discovering who I was as a man and as a creative. This new chapter is defined by gospel-rooted conviction mixed with the textures of 3-Step and deep Afro-house. I am no longer just a vocalist on a track; I am a storyteller who understands the global music landscape from the inside out.

3. “Endaweni” carries a strong spiritual message. What personal experiences or reflections influenced the song’s theme of grounding and belonging?

The song reflects my personal journey toward grounding and belonging. After years of working behind the scenes and helping create global hits for others, I had to find my own space and truth. It is about the spiritual realisation that you are exactly where you are meant to be when your work aligns with your purpose.

Lady Du and I have a long friendship that goes beyond the music industry. We both share a deep faith. The process was very natural. Once Shi Kargo and I agreed that the track should be a vernacular song, I immediately thought of her. I sent her the beat with a rough idea, and she sent a voice note back in just 10 minutes with her verse. It was a beautiful moment of creative connection between two people who understand the same spiritual and musical language.

5. The song blends gospel-rooted emotion with Afro-house textures. How did you approach creating a sound that balances spirituality with dance floor energy?

I describe my music as “ministry in motion.” For me, the music moves the body, but the message moves the soul. By combining the rhythmic energy of 3-Step and Afro-house with gospel-rooted melodies, we created a sound that allows people to dance while also giving them a moment of spiritual connection.

6. Your debut EP Let There Be Light is described as a deeply personal project. What story or journey are you hoping listeners take from the full body of work?

I hope listeners take away a story of illumination and transition. Let There Be Light is about merging spirituality, rhythm, and storytelling. It represents the moment I decided to stop ignoring the calling and step into the light of my own artistry.

7. You’ve mentioned that being an artist requires vulnerability. What was the most vulnerable moment for you while creating this EP?

The most vulnerable part was the silent years — working quietly with Shi Kargo to find a sound that felt completely authentic to me. Moving from a senior executive role at a major label to being a solo artist requires a lot of humility. You have to remove the titles and let the music speak for your soul.

8. Having spent time on the corporate side of the music industry, how has that experience shaped the way you now approach your own artistry?

My time as a cultural strategist taught me how to scale African creativity for global audiences. I don’t just see my music as songs; I see them as potential global cultural movements. That corporate background gave me the tools to build a narrative and system around my music so the message can reach as many people as possible.

Shi Kargo is a long-time collaborator who helped shape the sound of the entire EP. We worked together quietly for a long time until we found the sound that felt true to me. When he played the beat for “Endaweni,” we both instantly knew it needed to be a vernacular song. His production created the foundation that allowed me to find my voice as an artist.

10. As you release “Endaweni” and introduce Let There Be Light o the world, what do you hope both longtime fans and new listeners will take away from your music?

I hope they hear the conviction. Whether someone has followed me from my early days or is discovering me now, I want them to connect with the storytelling and grounding that define this new era. I want them to feel that “ministry in motion” — where the soul moves just as much as the body.

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