Album: Sobzeen – iThemba Lami

“Ithemba Lami” — meaning “My Hope” in isiZulu — is Sobzeen’s deeply personal and inspiring full-length project, combining themes of perseverance, faith, love, and self-discovery. Throughout the album, Sobzeen combines elements of Afro-soul, gospel music, and modern Afro-pop, resulting in a rich soundscape that is both inspiring and emotionally powerful.

DJ Stokie, Mkeyz, Sobzeen, and Sminofu have recently appeared on Skorokoro 2.0, which features Zee_nhle.

The album features a cohesive narrative thread, with each song representing various phases of life’s path, encompassing moments of hardship and uncertainty as well as triumphant achievements and jubilation. Sobzeen’s storytelling draws from genuine life experiences, lending the songs a genuine, unpolished authenticity that listeners can connect with.

The music of iThemba Lami is characterized by rich vocal harmonies, organic instrumentation, and polished production. Traditional African rhythms are skillfully combined with contemporary elements such as rich basslines, soothing guitar riffs, and atmospheric pads. This balance enables the music to have a timeless quality while still sounding modern and up-to-date.

Sobzeen’s vocal performance serves as the emotional core of the album. When delivering gentle, heartfelt ballads or more lively, celebratory songs, they sing with conviction and warmth, making the listener feel the message in each line. The lyrics combine hope-filled affirmations, personal growth reflections, and expressions of gratitude, providing both comfort and motivation.

Album Sobzeen – iThemba Lami