BY NOSIPHO MABUZA
MANZINI – A thumbs up from Thakzin for being the most aspiring Afro House producers would be a dream.
For Le Kronik, it’s now a career-defining reality.
The Eswatini-based producer, real name Sonkhe Hlophe, recently caught the attention of South African DJ and Afro House powerhouse Thakzin, who gave his latest track iNkhani an unexpected stamp of approval. “I really felt emotional,” Le Kronik confessed. “Getting a thumbs up from Thakzin really felt good, I won’t lie.”
The endorsement, while informal, carries immense weight in the Afro House community, where Thakzin is regarded as one of the genre’s most forward-thinking creatives.
How Did Thakzin Hear the Track?
Le Kronik isn’t entirely sure how iNkhani made its way to Thakzin’s playlist, but he suspects the song’s early feature on Traxsource’s Afro House Chart, or possibly a promo blast from the record label, might be how it landed in the right ears.
However it happened, the co-sign is deeply affirming for the young producer. “It means I’m doing something good, and my sound is finally being recognised outside our borders,” he shared.
Although Le Kronik follows Thakzin on social media, the two have no direct connection—making the spontaneous recognition even more significant. It’s a rare occurrence in the industry for rising talents to be noticed without active PR or networking, and it signals Le Kronik’s growing credibility on the regional scene.
Behind the Sound: The Making of iNkhani
iNkhani is a collaborative Afro House journey, bringing together the musical minds of Le Kronik, Kalulu, and vocalists Zwile and Heal N. Keys. The track’s bold sound and emotional lyrics didn’t happen overnight. Le Kronik began building the song in late 2024, obsessively refining the drum patterns and structure.
“It took a while,” he admits. “I was experimenting and stepped a little out of my comfort zone.” It wasn’t until he met Zwile and Heal N. Keys at a music workshop that the song found its true identity—melding layered rhythms with powerful vocals.
Le Kronik knew from the start that iNkhani would be pitched to international labels, so he crafted it with global appeal in mind—without sacrificing the cultural essence of his production style.
A Message of Tenacity and Growth
Beyond its catchy composition, iNkhani is a bold declaration. Following the success of Mkhuzeni, their previous track under Blackdegree Music, this latest release takes a more personal tone.
As Kalulu passionately sings, “Azangzodlala Lana, Bafana nizoy’deli iNkhani,” it’s a message to those who doubt their staying power: We’re not here to play. Take the message seriously.
iNkhani is currently available on promo via Traxsource and will soon be released on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify, Deezer, and YouTube Music.
Beyond Borders: What This Moment Means
For Le Kronik, this is more than a social media shoutout. It’s an affirmation of what Eswatini artists are capable of: competing, innovating, and pushing Afro House forward on a regional and global scale.
“This is just the beginning,” he says. “iNkhani isn’t just a track—it’s a message that we, as Swazi producers, can bring the heat.”
Stay tuned as Eswatini continues to turn up the volume in the global Afro House conversation—with Le Kronik turning knobs at the front of the movement.
