Local dancer and choreographer Tinyiko Hilary Khoza, popularly known as Miss Hilary, released her much-anticipated debut single, titled Pandza, on Friday, 2 June. The track is from her upcoming full EP, Best of Both Worlds, due for release on 4 August.
The 23-year-old from Hasani-Dakari village in Malamulele is well-known for working with artists such as Sho Madjozi, Makhadzi, Rich Mnisi, Cedric Tsongaboy and former Miss SA, Shudufhadzo Musida.
After 15 years as a dancer, Miss Hilary decided to showcase her singing talent. "I grew up listening to a lot of traditional sounds, including Patrick Nkuna, Thomas Chauke, Mahottela Queens, Boom Shaka, Brenda Fassie and many others. It's pretty hard to choose a specific artist that I can say inspires me because they all influenced me in different ways, be it in fashion, genre, sound or lyrical style. I started singing in the school choir around 2014, when I was in high school, and later started recording Tsonga traditional music with my family. Our group was called 'Mabrazil'. My solo career as a musician officially took off on 25 February this year," she said.
"My upcoming EP is a representation of what I stand for and who I am. Everyone has their own beliefs as well as ways to define what makes them who they are. Africanity is something I always defined in a way that suited me. I always knew what it meant to me, so what better way than to convey it in my first project as a recording artist. I tried to create a sound that describes me and where I stand as an African musician. I worked with Simefree, Olefied Khetha, Ndu Browns as well as Sakhile Manqele on this project."
In the past, Miss Hilary won many awards, including the Best Heritage Influencer award during the National Heritage Council and Golden Shield Awards in 2022.