With the launch of his poignant new single, “Buyelekhaya,” ReaDaSoul opens up about a deeply personal phase in his artistic journey. The track, featuring De Soul and Miss Q, delves into themes of love, yearning, healing, and the insight that home may refer to a person rather than a physical location.
The single has quickly struck a chord with audiences due to its sincere narrative and emotional production. In an interview with The Yanos Magazine, ReaDaSoul discussed the song’s inspiration, the process of collaboration, and what fans can anticipate from his forthcoming Head Above Water EP.
1. “Buyelekhaya” is referred to as your most intimate release yet. What personal feelings or experiences influenced this piece?
Miss Q, who penned the song, provides the best insight into its origin. She drew from memories of a past relationship, expressing a longing for a former partner. The song encapsulates the emotions tied to that desire, love, and a wish to reconnect with someone who once represented home.
2. The title implies that “home” signifies a person rather than a location. What does this notion personally signify for you?
A physical space can offer shelter and comfort, but a person can provide something even more profound: acceptance. When someone becomes your home, they are the individual with whom you can truly be yourself—without pretense. They allow you to show all facets of your life, from the good to the messy. Their presence fosters a feeling of peace and belonging that no physical structure can replicate.
3. How did your partnership with De Soul and Miss Q develop, and what contributions did each artist make to the track?
After a brief pause from music, I returned to the studio to begin crafting the beat. Weeks later, I shared it with De Soul, who took it further by enhancing the production and arranging the composition. He also mixed and mastered the final piece, along with recording Miss Q’s vocals. Together, they helped translate my initial idea into a polished song.
4. How did you navigate the emotions of pain, hope, vulnerability, and love throughout the songwriting and recording phases?
The approach was grounded in authenticity rather than striving for perfection. We focused on letting genuine experiences and feelings shape the music. Through both joyful and painful moments, we extracted meaning from the journey, allowing raw emotion to define the track.
5. What attracted you to the softer, more intimate Amapiano style featured in “Buyelekhaya”?
My musical upbringing was heavily influenced by deep house sounds well before Amapiano grew into its current form. The music I create reflects those early influences, and this song naturally incorporates that softer, more intimate style.
6. What was your reaction when you first heard the finished version of the track from De Soul?
I was pleasantly surprised. I had not anticipated receiving a complete song, as I felt the original version was already whole. Listening to how De Soul elevated the track while maintaining its emotional core was a memorable experience.
7. Why was Miss Q’s contribution vital to the emotional storyline of the song?
Miss Q is extraordinarily talented. Once I experienced her skills as a songwriter and vocalist, it became clear that she was the right choice. She infused a level of emotion, authenticity, and narrative depth that was crucial for realizing the song’s impact.
8. In what ways does “Buyelekhaya” connect to or extend the themes from your earlier album?
My last album, Naamah, examined love from a spiritual and religious perspective. In contrast, Buyelekhaya reflects on the aftermath of love—what follows after everything has transpired. It is introspective and honest, addressing the feelings that endure once the initial intensity fades.
9. As the lead single for your upcoming Head Above Water EP, what does this track illustrate about the overall direction of the project?
Primarily, it conveys a sense of hope. The Head Above Water EP consists of songs that remind listeners that healing is attainable, growth is achievable, and that brighter days can follow periods of difficulty.
10. What message do you hope to convey to listeners who may be experiencing heartbreak or longing through this song?
I wish for them to recognize that home can sometimes be a person rather than a place. The song serves as a reminder of the deep bonds we form with others and the significance those relationships hold in our lives, even in their absence.
Through “Buyelekhaya,” ReaDaSoul presents not just a compelling piece of music but a sincere exploration of love, memory, and finding hope amidst loss.
Stream “Buyelekhaya” HERE.
