Creative Direction: Mukondeleli Mushiana
Photography: Rofhiwa Kutama
Lighting: Matt Rams
Wardrobe: Thriftplek
Styling: Tandaza Simama
Make-up: Amka Tonia/Amka Beauty
Hair: Nsindiso Khumalo
Cover Design: Thabiso Dhlamini

It’s another normal Friday, eThekwini, eNtuzuma ka E. You’re dragging your bag, trying to figure out what you’ll eat when you get home. What was slowly turning into a basic afternoon is flipped the moment you find yourself jolting down the street to witness Mano throwing hands. Everyone knows not to mess with her, I guess Zinhle didn’t get the memo.

These are some of the stories Lia speaks about in her music, growing up in Durban in a township known as eNtuzuma. She takes us through a journey of how it all started, introducing us to characters that may have once represented a life we used to live or people we’ve come across.

Nombulelo Mzobe, popularly known as Lia Butler, is a Durban-born Neo-Zulu singer who uses music and storytelling as her medium of expression, taking listeners on a sonic journey through time. From a very early age, she has drawn inspiration from her musical family, fusing various music genres such as Neo Soul, Umbhaqanga, maskandi, RnB and amahubo to inspire her sound.

Lia has often described herself as “an artist in learning, storyteller in grooming and novelist in training”. She beautifully uses her surroundings and musical ability to take listeners through various adventures in her life.

“Lapho eng’suka khona ba yang’bongela, phela lento ngayiqala ngi sayi tshitshi.”

– Lia Butler

The deeper you dive into her discography, the more you experience different sonic adventures, giving you a glimpse into her life and what shapes her through her music. Whether she’s freestyling, speaking about the relentless struggle for a better life, or describing an encounter that blossomed into a beautiful love story, her music is more than just her flowing over beats and serenading us with melodies. Her music finds you and becomes a part of your human experience, one way or another.

Please allow us to reintroduce Lia Butler aka Super Nkanyezi, as she takes us on an adventure, one melody at a time.

“Lapho eng’phuma khona beng’dumile. Shaya umzwilili, bengivumile.”

– Lia Butler