With his new album, Samthing Soweto returns as a sonic force who continues to redefine what house, soul, and amapiano can be. Touch is a Move (Good Morning) is his fifth album. It comes 5 years after his De Mthuda-produced 2020 album Danko!, which features Amapiano powerhouse Da Muziqal Chef. Without a doubt, Samkelo didn’t hesitate when he laced the album with emotional honesty and vocal mastery.
Born Samkelo Lelethu Mdolomba, Samthing Soweto’s voice has long served as both an anchor and a catalyst in South Africa’s evolving music landscape. While many know him from his groundbreaking collaborations with The Soil and Sun-El Musician, it was his work on Akanamali and later Akulaleki that cemented his status as a genre-shifting icon.
When he sings, it doesn’t feel like a performance — it feels like storytelling. His delivery holds a quiet power that moves both the groove and the heart. His voice is so inviting, it doesn’t just make you want to sing along — it makes you listen. Naturally, you will listen to the pain, joy, tension, and the resolution. Eventually, with his newest album, it sounds like he’s opening a new door. A softer, more accepting door. One where he’s drawing boundaries and also welcoming those who dare to come closer.
“Touch is a move” is more than a title — it’s a declaration. A nod to a childhood game played in Soweto that required you to stand by your choice, no take-backs. In fact, in this album, Samthing Soweto sounds like he’s choosing himself. Whether in love or in his art, he’s committing to his voice, his vision, and his truth. Furthermore, in true Samkelo spirit, he is throwing beautiful, heart-melting harmonies in the mix as he goes.
What makes Samthing Soweto’s impact truly unique is how intergenerational it is. Undoubtedly, young amapiano heads vibe to his features with DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small. Moreover, older house music lovers still revisit his earlier catalogue for that rich, soulful touch. Importantly, he’s managed to bridge the past and the present without ever compromising his sound — a rare feat in any genre.
His 2019 album Isphithiphithi didn’t just top charts — it started conversations. Songs like Omama Bomthandazo spoke about men and softness. In addition, tracks like Sebenzela Nina and Nodoli address fathers and forgiveness. The album was a cultural moment, and his absence was felt as loudly when he took a step back from the spotlight. Also, Samthing Soweto remains one of the few artists who bring together lovers of jazz, soul, amapiano, and deep house under one emotional roof. His gift lies not just in voice, but in vulnerability. However, in an age where virality often overshadows substance, his return feels like a much-needed recalibration.
Ready to revisit his finest moments? We’ve put together a list of 10 essential Samthing Soweto tracks — not ranked by streams or stats, but by soul. From goosebump-inducing harmonies to genre-bending bops, these are the songs that capture the essence of his artistry:
Samthing Soweto Essentials:
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Hey Wena (ft Alie-keys) — Danko! (2020)
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Deda — Touch Is A Move (Good Morning) (2025)
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325 — Touch Is A Move (Good Morning) (2025)
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Tshabalala — This N That Without Tempo (2010)
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My Mrs — Val’amehlo (2017)
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Kwamampela — Eb’suku (2014)
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Lotto (feat. Mlindo the Vocalist, DJ Maphorisa & Kabza De Small) — Isiphithiphithi (2019)
Let these tracks guide you through his evolution — from intimate melodies to genre-defining collaborations, Samthing Soweto is always worth a deep listen.
Stream Touch is a Move (Good Morning) now on all platforms.
