BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
MBABANE– The local Hip Hop scene is buzzing as Xoliswa ‘Extasy’ Nsibandze officially drops his latest lead single, ‘4TH OFFICIAL’.
The track serves as the spearhead for his highly anticipated EP titled ‘FORMATION’, which launched on the digital airwaves on December 10, 2025, via the premier local platform, Jelele.com.
The artist, whose stage name translates to “a feeling of great delight,” says the name is deeply rooted in the concept of inner peace, a theme that resonates throughout his new body of work.
At its core, ‘4TH OFFICIAL’ is a manifesto on self-preservation and emotional boundaries. Extasy explains that the song is a reminder to protect one’s peace and never compromise on personal standards, even when faced with external pressure. The concept was born out of the complexities of human relationships and partnerships. According to the artist, there comes a time when one must respect when another person seeks a different path for themselves, regardless of the vision you might have had for them. He emphasizes a message of energetic awareness: you receive from the world exactly what you put out.
Extasy’s musical DNA is a blend of global icons and local upbringing. He traces his earliest memories back to watching Michael Jackson’s “Will You Be There” on Eswatini TV, then Swazi TV. “My mother tells a story of that Michael Jackson song being the first words I ever uttered,” he laughs. “I’m not sure I believe her, but the influence was definitely there.” While the King of Pop sparked the flame, it was his uncle, who is featured on the cover of the FORMATION project, who pushed him toward the world of Rap. After convincing his father to buy him The Eminem Show, Extasy found his calling in the lyricism and grit of Hip Hop.
The single features a powerhouse collaboration that brings together experience and fresh energy. Vusanisizwe ‘Size Killa’ Mthethwa lent his vocals to the track while also serving as the executive producer and sound engineer for the entire EP. Furthermore, the song introduces Ncobile ‘Just David’ Mamba, a young lady whose talent Extasy describes as “immense.” He notes that it is a great honor to introduce her to the music world through this lead single.
Navigating the industry as an independent artist has its challenges, but Extasy credits his growth to a solid support system. By partnering with Bantfu Nation, he has been able to streamline his publication process and focus on his craft. “I’ve been getting better at the process over the years,” he says. “With the help of Bantfu Nation, I can focus my energy on being the best version of myself while they help me navigate the path.”
While the high-energy spirit of Brenda Fassie’s Party with Brenda was on high rotation during the making of this project, Extasy and his producer, Thando ‘YEYANA’ Motsa, are already looking ahead. The artist revealed that they have been “doing their homework” to evolve their sound for his debut album, ‘TEN4TEN’, which is set to drop in October next year. The release wasn’t without its local flavor and challenges; due to recent storms, the artist found himself without electricity or wifi for two days during the launch period, having to stay on watch for electrical response teams while managing his digital rollout.
To support the artist and local digital infrastructure, fans can find ‘4TH OFFICIAL’ for FREE on Jelele.com and YouTube (@Extasy_hd). The full FORMATION EP is available for purchase on Jelele.com under the company page @TheLibrary. Jelele.com remains a vital tool for local creators, allowing them to sell content directly to their customers and avoid the “middleman” systems found on foreign platforms.
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(Courtesy Pic)
