Msaki and the deeper look into the experiences that moulded her public image
Msaki is a celebrated South African singer, songwriter, and record label executive. Her music style is a unique blend of indie folk with various Mzansi sounds like Amapiano, traditional music, electronic, jazz, classical, and orchestral arrangements. So, what is her story and what made her a success in the music industry?
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Asanda Lusaseni Mvana, famously known as Msaki, was born into a musical Xhosa family.
- Her paternal grandfather was a music composer.
- Her dad was a DJ while studying at the University of Fort Hare. He also led choirs throughout his life.
- She taught herself guitar in 2010 and established her record label in 2013.
Msaki's profile summary
Birth name | Asanda Lusaseni Mvana |
Stage name | Msaki |
Gender | Female |
Birthdate | 31 December 1988 |
Birthplace | East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa |
Age | 36 years (as of November 2025) |
Zodiac sign | Capricorn |
Nationality | South African |
Ethnicity | African |
Hair color | Black |
Eye color | Brown |
Sexuality | Straight |
Marital status | Divorced |
Children | 3 |
Alma mater | Cathcart High School |
Alma mater | Rhodes University |
Career | Singer, songwriter, record label executive |
What is Msaki's real name and age?
The Mzansi singer's birth name is Asanda Lusaseni Mvana. Born on 31 December 1988, Msaki's age is 36 years (as of November 2025).
Her upbringing was a mix of different locations. She was born in East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa, but spent part of her childhood in East London, Cathcart, Butterworth, Nqamakhwe, Peddie, and Grahamstown.
Source: Original
Msaki's family
She was raised alongside her two siblings, an older sister named Siyoli Waters and a younger brother called Luvuyiso 'MB' Lusaseni. Their parents were reportedly teachers initially, but changed careers later on in their lives.
Their father changed from being a headmaster to an attorney. Msaki confirmed this in an interview with The Insider SA, saying:
Music is definitely a gift in my family. My grandfather was a composer. My father had the gift passed down to him, but didn’t have the time or the privilege to pursue it – he became a clerk at 17 and then a teacher and then studied law, so he became a lawyer.
I somehow, because I admire my father, became a lawyer and just ignored the fact that I’m actually an artist. When I came to reckon with that reality, I moved from law to studying fine art, visual art, and graphic design and went through this whole journey, and just saying yes to my creativity led me to music.
Msaki's family created an ample musical environment for her. Because of this, she participated in numerous musical activities in her childhood, including singing in the school choir alongside her sister. In those days, her peers would compare Msaki to her sister, who had already become a sports star and was touring nationwide.
Kids would tell Msaki that her voice was weird and that the only reason she was allowed into the choir was that Siyoli was the choir leader. So, she decided to move to a new school in Grade 10 to flourish on her own beyond her sister's shadow.
Msaki's education and career history
Her musical career has always been tied to her educational pursuits. She attended Cathcart High School and went to Nelson Mandela University to study law, but dropped out after one year.
At the age of 20, she began her career by joining an alternative rock band in East London in 2008 while studying Visual Art and Design.
Msaki went on to further study Visual Art in Grahamstown, where she met her husband in 2009. The following year, she went to England, attending the University of Leeds to study Art as an exchange student.
At the University of Leeds, Msaki learned how to play the guitar by herself. She returned to Grahamstown in 2011 and began doing indie music.
In 2012, the singer was selected among almost 1,000 candidates to study music in North Carolina, USA. At this point, she decided to pursue music as a full-time career.
She also obtained a Master of Fine Arts degree from Rhodes University, Grahamstown, but has yet to share with the public the year she graduated.
Msaki's albums and EPs
Her debut EP, Nal'ithemba, was released in 2013. Msaki put together a collection of songs she had written over time in this project, which was funded by a grant offered by the Corporate Social Responsibility Budget and the production of Cobus van Dyk.
The singer explained why she released an EP before an album, saying:
I chose to release an EP because I thought it was a good way for me to learn about my audience, my music and the financial implications of releasing music. I also wanted it to serve as an introduction to who Msaki is and the music that I make.
A lot of my favourite musicians started out by releasing EPs, and that has worked well. It’s like a writing passage, a test to see how I would do, should I release an album.
Three years later, her debut solo album, Zaneliza: How the Water Moves, was released in 2016. It earned her a SAMA nomination and included the chart-climbing single Iimfama Ziyabona. Msaki co-produced the album with South African jazz artist Nduduzo Makhathini.
The singer went on to release a double project, Platinum Heart, in 2021, which features both acoustic/folk and electronic/producer sides, exploring themes of protest and love.
She also dropped a joint album with Tubatsi Moloi, Synthetic Hearts, in 2023, with a second part following in May 2024. In summary, Msaki has released one EP, two studio albums, and one collaborative album, as listed below:
- Nal'ithemba (2013)
- Zaneliza: How The Water Moves (2016)
- Platinum Heart (2021)
- Synthetic Hearts (2023) (Msaki and Tubatsi)
Source: UGC
Msaki's songs
Msaki makes some of the best love songs in Mzansi, and her tracks have continued to garner great success. Her singles as lead artist include:
Year | Song title |
2021 | Fetch Your Life II |
2021 | Mntakababa (ft. Kabza De Small, Focalistic) |
2022 | Subaleka (Msaki & Mpho Tubatsi) |
2023 | Come In (Msaki & Mpho Tubatsi) |
2023 | Zibonakalise (Msaki & Mpho Tubatsi) |
2023 | Amandla (Msaki & Sun-El Musician) |
2024 | Imini Yesithembiso (Msaki & Mpho Tubatsi) |
2024 | Green to Gold (Msaki & Mpho Tubatsi) |
2024 | Let Me (NNAVY, Karun, Hendrick Sam, & Msaki) |
2024 | Feel (NNAVY, Karun, Msaki, Hendrick Sam) |
2024 | Raise Your Glass (NNAVY, Karun, Msaki, & Hendrick Sam) |
2024 | Unozala (Kenza, Ami Faku, & Msaki ft. Sun-El Musician) |
2025 | You're Light (Sun-El Musician, Karyendasoul, & Msaki) |
2025 | Naliya (Batundi, TRESOR, & Msaki) |
2025 | Wayside Lover (Jesse Clegg, & Msaki ft. Sjava) |
Msaki is also known for her collaborations with diverse artists across various genres, including house music, Afro-folk, and pop. As of November 2025, her key collaborations include:
- Love Colour Spin (Mobi Dixon ft. Msaki)
- Sondela (TRESOR ft. Msaki)
- Fetch Your Life (Prince Kaybee ft. Msaki)
- Bomi Abumanga (Sun-El Musician ft. Msaki)
- Khusela (Kabza De Small featuring Msaki)
- Jacaranda (Karyendasoul featuring Msaki)
- Moon (Justin Micheal Williams, Global Soul Collective ft. Msaki)
- Umusa (Nomfundo Moh ft. Msaki, Cassper Nyovest)
Msaki's awards
As of November 2025, she has received 10 award nominations and won five. The singer has won these awards:
- Mzansi Kwaito and House Music Awards - Best House Artist (2024)
- Basadi Awards - Songwriter of the Year (2023)
- Clout Africa Awards - Best Alternative Album (2022)
- SAMA - Female Artist of the Year (2022)
- SAMA - Best Adult Contemporary Album (2022)
Msaki's music label
In 2013, she established her own independent record label, One Shushu Day Artistry, to release her music on her own terms.
What is Msaki's net worth?
While the specific details of her net worth are not publicly disclosed, Msaki's career trajectory indicates she has achieved significant financial success through her music, record label, gigs, awards/recognitions that come with grants, and other ventures.
Source: UGC
Is Msaki still singing?
The singer announced a break from the limelight and major performances in 2023 to focus on her mental health due to burnout, media scrutiny, and social media bullying.
While on hiatus from performing, she has been mentoring other artists behind the music scenes. The singer also celebrated 10 years in music with the Camagu in a Symphony orchestral concert in 2024 and plans a formal return to the stage in 2026.
Is Msaki married?
It is unclear whether the singer has remarried. There have been no reports about Msaki's husband since she divorced her spouse of ten years in 2024.
Msaki's ex-husband shares three children, two sons and a daughter with the singer. The two had their third child in 2019. One of Msaki's children, her daughter, is a songwriter.
Msaki's affair with Smash Afrika
In 2022, reports had it that radio/TV personality Smash Afrika's marriage with actress Rami Chuene's daughter, Kefiloe Chuene, collapsed because he was allegedly abusive and also had an adulterous affair with singer Msaki.
Amid her ongoing divorce from her previous partner of 10 years, Msaki came out in October 2024 to address rumors about her relationship with Smash Afrika. She told TimesLive:
There was a lot of love there, expressed both ways, and a lot of support. I really thought he had such a great spirit. What was hurtful for me was one of our love letters ending up in the tabloids...
She added:
I'm not accepting the label, and I refuse to accept it. I may have been something else, but not a homewrecker.
Is Msaki related to Major League?
The three artists are cousins. Both Msaki and the musical duo Major League DJz (twin brothers Bandile and Banele Mbere) have confirmed their familial relationship through their social media posts.
How can you contact Msaki?
You can contact Msaki for bookings via +27 81 340 1356 (call/WhatsApp) or send an email to booking@djsproduction.co.za or action@entertainment-online.co.za. Alternatively, you can send a DM to Msaki's Instagram page or her Facebook account.
Source: UGC
Fast facts about Msaki
- Her brother was a rugby player for the Lions and the Sharks.
- Her sister is a former professional squash player.
- Msaki's sister was the first black woman to win SA's national squash title.
- Her sister is exploring music with Msaki's encouragement.
- Their father's dream is to see how two daughters singing together professionally.
- Msaki was a guest judge on the Idols South Africa reality contest in 2021.
- She was a judge on the uShuni Womhlaba reality show in 2024.
- Msaki advocated for women's rights through her lyrics.
- She has founded initiatives like ALTBLK>>Continua to mentor other artists.
Msaki's ability to cross musical boundaries and her profound songwriting talent make her a sought-after collaborator in the music industry. She has been continuously releasing music throughout 2024 and 2025 despite being on a performance hiatus.
Briefly.co.za shared Sean Hannity's biography, a Fox News host. He attended several universities, including New York University, Adelphi University, and UC Santa Barbara, but never completed a degree.
Hannity dropped out of these institutions to pursue his passion for broadcasting. He started in radio at a local college station (KCSB-FM in Santa Barbara) in 1989 while working as a building contractor and house painter.
Source: Briefly News
