Msaki

Biography

Asanda Lusaseni Mvana (born 31 December 1988) known professionally as Msaki, is a South African composer, singer, and songwriter. Born and grew up in East London, during her childhood she was involved in musical activities. Her career in music began in 2008, at the age of 20, when she was a member of alternative rock band while attending college.
Her debut Extended Play Nal'ithemba (2013) and debut solo studio album Zaneliza: How The Water Moves (2016), which was nominated for Best Adult Contemporary Album.

Early life

Asanda Lusaseni Mvana was born in East London, Eastern Cape in 1988. Her father was a DJ and grandmother was a music composer. She attended Cathcart High School and Nelson Mandela University before dropping out after one year. Mvana attended Rhodes University and obtained Master of Fine Arts degree.
In 2008, she Joined The Patience alternative rock group based in East London and electro-experimental band Johnny Cradle based in Cape town. Following year in 2009, she was guitarist and lead vocalist for Kate and I duo formed in Grahamstown.
In 2012, Msaki attended music school in North Carolina in the USA.

Career

She established her own record label, One Shushu Day Artistry and released her debut Extended Play Nal'ithemba, in 2013 produced by Cobus Van Dyk.
In 2016, she won ovation at 7th Standard Bank Ovation Awards and Gold Award First Place at Cape Town Fringe. Her single "Imfama Ziyabona" released in 2016, debuted on Metro FM Charts for 19 consecutive weeks.
In June 2017, her debut album Zaneliza: How The Water Moves was released in South Africa. The album was co-produced by Nduduzo Makhathini. To further promote her album she performed at National Art Festival. At the 23rd ceremony of South African Music Awards Zaneliza: How The Water Moves was nominated for Best Adult Contemporary Album.
Msaki teamed up with South African DJ Prince Kaybee on a single "Fetch Your Life", released on February 8, 2019. The song debuted number one on iTunes Dance charts. In November 2019, her single "Pearls To Swine" featuring TRESOR and Kid X was released, bagged nomination for Best Produced Video. She co-written "Undithatha Kancinci" single by Kelly Khumalo.
Msaki was featured on Rhythms of Zamunda (Music Inspired By: Coming 2 America), released in March 2021.
In October 22, Msaki released double single of "Fetch Your Life II" and "Mntakababa" featuring Kabza De Small and Focalistic. That same month she made a collaboration on platoon compilation album African Lullabies Pt. 1. In November 19, her double project Platinumb Heart, was released.
In December 2021, Msaki headlined to 14th Annual Mzansi Fela Festival along with Amanda Black, Zoë Modiga, and Mandisi Dyantyisa was held in State Theatre, Guateng.
In January 2022, Msaki collaborated on a song "Own The Future" with Goodluck, Shekhinah, and YoungstaCPT. She also received a nomination for Female Vocalist of the Year at Global Music Awards Africa 2022.
In early February, she was featured on Home Session by Apple Music.
In February 6, Msaki unveiled six pieces of her artwork titled Platinumb Heart of Love In Protest and performed at Nirox Sculpture park to promote her double album.
Msaki and Tubatsi Moloi released joint album Synthetic Hearts on March 10, 2023.
In September 2023, Msaki was featured on "Piece of Ground", a song written by Jeremy Taylor and originally recorded by Miriam Makeba on DJ Kenzhero and Tha_Muzik's jazz compilation album What Is Wrong With Groovin. The album, produced by DJ Kenzhero and Tha_Muzik, who had previously hosted a radio show of the same name on Kaya FM until 2021, reimagined songs by South African and American musicians including Nina Simone, Makeba, Brenda Fassie, Lebo Mathosa, and Letta Mbulu, with bassist Vimbs Mavimbela serving as creative lead, and featured vocalists Msaki and others. OkayAfrica included the album among "10 best South African jazz albums right now", with the magazine writing that "Piece of the Ground" "would make Miriam Makeba glow".
Msaki and Sun-El Musician collaborated on a single "Amandla", released on November 3, 2023.

Towards the end of April 2024, Msaki and Tubatsi Moloi announced the album Synthetic Hearts (Part II). Two singles "Imini Yesithembiso" and "Green to Gold" were released on March 13, 2024.
"Izinto Zobomi" was released on May 4, 2024, as second single. The album was released on May 24, 2024.
In October 2024, Msaki announce Camagu in Symphony: 10 Years of Gratitude concert which was held at the SunBet Arena on December 12.

2025-present: New music, Entropy EP

Msaki announced their collaborative extended play Entropy with Jesse Clegg, and released "Wayside Lover" featuring Sjava as ep leads single on September 19.
The extended play was scheduled for release on January 23, 2026. Entropy was released on February 27, 2026.

Television

In early November 2021, she made her screen debut as guest judge on Idols South Africa season 17.
In June 2024, Msaki joined uShuni Womhlaba, SABC 1 singing competition reality television show as a judge.

Studio albums

Nal'ithemba (2013)
Zaneliza: How The Water Moves (2016)
Platinumb Heart (2021)

Collaborative albums

Synthetic Hearts (2023) (Msaki and Tubatsi)