Rising Venda artist Lunar shot to fame almost overnight when his debut track, Bommbo, went viral on TikTok in 2024, sparking more than 400 posts and 9,000 likes. "That motivated me to create more music — people loved my sound from the start," he says.
His journey began by chance while living in a school residence with a housemate who had a studio. "I didn't record at first, but I loved watching," he recalls. Inspiration came after seeing a performance by Eemoh abroad. "I decided to write lyrics and give music a shot."
Growing up in Venda shaped his signature sound, blending cultural elements with modern beats. "I added unfamiliar piano elements and a deep voice to stand out," he explains.
For Lunar, fusing the traditional with the modern is a natural process. "It is all about finding balance between modern music elements and cultural music elements. I am able to achieve that by singing in my home language on a modern sound beat," he says.
Navigating a competitive industry hasn't been easy. "Working with greedy individuals is one of the toughest challenges I've faced," he says.
His upcoming single, Muyani, is already generating buzz, and collaborations with artists such as Msamiati, Rude Kid Venda, and Daxo Chali have helped him grow. He hopes to work with Mizophyl, Racha Kill, and Makhadzi — whom he credits for putting Venda music on the national stage.
Looking ahead, Lunar sees Venda music reaching global audiences through digital platforms. "I'll be part of that evolution while rapping in my own language," he says. His advice to young rural artists: "Be yourself, keep pushing, and use social media to get noticed."