Following the emotional and critically acclaimed The Healing Process EP, South Africa’s rising house music talent UMngomezulu returns with a brand-new 7-track offering titled Turning Pain into Music — a deeply personal and sonically rich body of work that promises to resonate across dancefloors and hearts alike. Known for his soulful approach to deep and afro house, UMngomezulu continues to craft music that is not only danceable but also emotionally immersive.
UMngomezulu, born Thulasizwe Mngomezulu, is a South African Deep House producer and DJ originally from KwaZulu-Natal. His musical journey began in 2009 after completing a Music Production Certificate at the Soul Candi Institute of Music. It was there he discovered his unique ability to channel emotion into rhythm — a gift that’s shaped the core of his sound ever since. Drawing from both personal experience and cultural roots, his music often explores themes of healing, connection, and emotional vulnerability. His previous EP, The Healing Process, garnered widespread acclaim for its lush, meditative grooves and introspective storytelling. Charted among top dance releases, it established UMngomezulu not just as a producer, but as a sonic storyteller.
With Turning Pain into Music, he pushes that narrative further. This isn’t just another dance record — it’s a transformative listening experience. The EP builds on the themes explored in The Healing Process, taking listeners on a journey of resilience, heartbreak, and catharsis. Tracks are layered with emotive chords, textured percussion, and vocal performances that linger long after the last note fades.
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One standout is Ndizokulinda — which translates to “I will wait for you.” Featuring the poignant vocals of Cnethemba Gonelo and Idols SA finalist Brandon Dhludhlu, the track is a love letter laced with longing and hope. It’s both intimate and expansive, balancing lyrical vulnerability with lush, atmospheric production that speaks to UMngomezulu’s finesse as a producer. It’s music that doesn’t just fill the room — it reaches into you.
Collaboration plays a vital role in this new chapter. The EP features an impressive lineup of voices, including French August, Gasa, Crimora, and of course, Cnethemba and Brandon. Each artist brings their own color to the project, yet all remain grounded in UMngomezulu’s vision. While sonically rooted in deep house, the tracks flirt with afro house, ambient textures, and even soulful electronica. Every beat reflects a different shade of pain, but instead of lingering in the sorrow, the music dances its way toward light.
Turning Pain into Music is more than just a title — it’s a mission statement. UMngomezulu has turned his own struggles into sonic healing, inviting listeners to do the same. Whether you’re on a dancefloor at midnight or lost in your headphones on a quiet afternoon, this is music that holds space for both movement and introspection.
If you’re not yet familiar with UMngomezulu, this EP is your invitation. Go listen. Let it move you. Let it heal you. You just might find a piece of your own story in the rhythm. ‘Turning Pain Into Music’ is out now on all digital platforms.
