Listen to Simmy’s New Album ‘Tugela Fairy (Made of Stars)’

In her sophomore album 'Tugela Fairy (Made of Stars)', South African artist Simmy expands on the soulful Afro-pop and Afro-house sound that has become the signature sound of El World Music.

The cover of Simmy's Tugela Fairy (Made of Stars) album: a portrait of Simmy wearing colourful Zulu beaded ornaments to a backdrop of a cloudy sky.

South African vocalist Simmy has released the second installment of her Tugela Fairy album series, Tugela Fairy (Made of Stars).

The 16-track album includes the previously released singles, "Ngihamba Nawe" and "Emakhaya."

For her sophomore, Simmy taps guests outside her El World Music labelmates, enlisting the likes of Afro-soul songstress Ami Faku, Afro-house producers/deejays Black Motion, Da Capo and maskandi heavy weight Khuzani.


With Tugela Fairy (Made of Stars), the talented singer-songwriter continues to tell love stories, mostly detailing the exciting moments and some of the hardships that come with the emotion and being in a relationship, while in other songs she sings songs of encouragement.

The album is laced with nostalgia; references and interpolations of old house, maskandi, mbaqanga, Afro-pop and kwaito. Funk song melodies and lyrics can be heard throughout, something she did in her 2018 debut album as well.

"I love sampling so much. I always take songs that I grew up hearing and work them into my music," she expressed in the album's liner notes on Apple Music.

While some of the songs were recorded in the last two years, on Made of Stars, Simmy expands on the soulful Afro-pop and Afro-house sound that has since become the signature sound of El World Music.

Her soft enchanting voice sounds like magic on top of the productions provided by Sun-El Musician, Black Motion, Da Capo, Claudio, Dr Moruti and more.

Simmy also has a production credit on the album's intro. "It just made sense for the album to start like a fairytale or Disney movie," she told Apple Music.

Stream Tugela Fairy (Made of Stars) on Apple Music and Spotify.



The custom cover art for OkayAfrica’s best Afrobeats songs of the year list which features Ayra Starr, King Promise and Tems.
Latest

The Best Afrobeats Songs of 2024

African music has had some great sonic highs throughout the year. Here are the best Afrobeats songs of 2024, featuring Amaarae, Wizkid, Tyla, Olivetheboy, Angélique Kidjo and more.

Rema performing onstage  at the 2024 Dreamville Music Festival.
Latest

Why is Rema’s Appearance at Afro Jam Japan Drawing So Much Attention?

The Nigerian superstar has found himself in the center of a conversation with far-reaching consequences.