MBABANE – Eswatini artists Drax404 and Shinglili have officially reunited after nearly five years, marking their long-awaited return with the release of their new single, Mang’nawe, a heartfelt love song inspired by real-life experiences.
The duo revealed that Mang’nawe is deeply personal, particularly for Shinglili, who described the song as a reflection of the reality he is currently living. He said the experience was so meaningful that the only way to capture the moment was through music.
“The song is a reality in which I am living in and I just needed to capture the moment in a rhythm,” he explained.
Beyond telling a personal story, the artists hope the song inspires listeners to continue believing in and appreciating genuine love.
“This song seeks to urge people to continue cherishing and believing in love,” they said.
The release also marks a significant milestone in the artists’ partnership. After spending about five years pursuing separate musical journeys, they reunited last month and quickly rediscovered the chemistry that had defined their earlier collaborations.
“After a spell of about five years away from making music together, we linked up again last month and our first instinct was to relive those good old days of being in studio together and bouncing ideas off each other,” they shared.
According to the duo, the reunion felt natural, with ideas flowing effortlessly from the moment they entered the studio.
The title Mang’nawe, which translates to “In Your Presence,” was chosen after the artists completed the chorus and realised it was the most memorable and catchy part of the song.
“‘Mang’nawe’ simply means ‘in your presence’ and it resonated with us right after finishing the chorus and realising it was the most catchy part of the song,” they said.
The artists added that their creative partnership remains as strong as ever, noting that they have always shared a similar artistic vision. They described working together as enjoyable and effortless, revealing that one of the biggest surprises has been how quickly they have been able to create new music.
“Working together is always fun and somehow we always seem to have the same vision on what to create. The most unexpected part is how quickly we have managed to create a lot of songs,” they said.
Looking ahead, Drax404 and Shinglili confirmed that Mang’nawe is only the beginning of an exciting new chapter. The pair are currently preparing a collaborative extended play (EP) comprising five songs, accompanied by several music videos and guest appearances from some of Eswatini’s top artists.
Fans can therefore expect more music from the duo in the coming months as they continue to build on their renewed partnership and celebrate the return of one of Eswatini’s exciting musical collaborations.
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