Lusanda Makes History with South Africa’s First Spotify Single
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, 2025— Rising South African singer and songwriter Lusanda emerges as the first-ever woman South African artist to be featured on the Spotify Single Programme with her rendition of “Mad World”. Spotify Single is a global initiative that provides artists with a platform to create and share original music recordings, including reimagined versions of their own songs and covers of songs they admire.
Lusanda, known for her emotionally resonant vocals, transforms Gary Jules’ version of the Tears for Fears classic into something uniquely her own and infuses “Mad World” with a deeply personal and distinctly South African essence. “I wanted to add colour through my voice,” Lusanda states, and she accomplishes this with remarkable clarity and control, solidifying her position as a standout voice from the region.
This Spotify Single builds on Lusanda’s previous resounding success. Her debut original pop song, “When You’re Around” with UK producer Noxz, was featured on Spotify’s Fresh Finds Africa, marking her strong entry into the industry. This new release further cements her status, featuring an acoustic version of “When You’re Around” as a B-side.
Spotify’s EQUAL programme, which champions female creators, has also been instrumental in Lusanda’s journey, providing essential support. Her live performance at Spotify’s EQUAL Africa event in March demonstrated her ability to translate studio work to the stage, reinforcing her status as a “generational talent made for the stage.”
Before her official releases, Lusanda gained a following through her intimate bedroom recordings, offering soulful interpretations of artists like Blxckie and Mereba. This foundation has led to this significant moment, with Spotify amplifying her voice on a global scale.
With “Mad World” and more original music forthcoming, Lusanda is set to take the South African music scene by storm. Her Spotify Singles version of “Mad World” is available globally. Watch the behind the scenes creative process here: https://www.instagram.
ENDS
