MBABANE – For award-winning artist ZaiMarn, KADODA may be enjoying a viral moment, but the song represents far more than numbers, dance challenges and social media trends.
The track, a collaboration with rising artist Remes Risos, has surpassed 53,000 views in just seven weeks, gaining traction across Southern Africa through its infectious sound and popular dance challenge.
But ZaiMarn, real name Zama Maseko, believes the song’s greatest achievement is its ability to introduce audiences to culture while bringing people together through music.
A multi-award-winning independent artist, ZaiMarn is a musician, beat maker, choreographer and entrepreneur who performs in both siSwati and English. He began pursuing music professionally in 2013 and has since established himself in the local music industry.
His achievements include two MTN SWAMA Awards, including recognition for his debut EP and the 2022 Best Urban Song award for Paradise.
Now, KADODA has taken his career into another chapter.
According to ZaiMarn, one of the earliest signs that the song was becoming special was the speed at which audiences embraced its dance.
“The first sign was how quickly people connected with the dance and started creating their own videos,” he said.
He added that watching the song grow organically week after week confirmed that it had struck a chord with listeners.
“What makes me happy is that people are not only listening to the song; they are engaging with the culture and the movement behind it.”
Inspired by the traditional Kadoda dance from Niassa Province in Mozambique, the song combines the cultural influence with contemporary Afro-fusion and Amapiano elements.
For ZaiMarn, preserving that cultural identity while giving it a modern expression was deliberate.
“Culture is a big part of who we are as Africans, and I believe our traditional sounds have a place in modern music,” he said.
The collaboration with Remes Risos was also driven by a desire to create something energetic and authentic.
ZaiMarn described Risos as an artist on the rise, saying their chemistry in the studio allowed the song to develop naturally through experimentation with rhythm, melodies and vocal delivery.
The resulting sound has since fuelled a dance challenge that has spread across social media, with fans putting their own spin on the KADODA movement.
For ZaiMarn, that audience participation is one of the most rewarding aspects of the song’s journey.
“When an audience takes a song beyond the original release and turns it into a movement, that’s a special moment for an artist,” he said.
The song’s success has also strengthened ZaiMarn’s connection with audiences across Mozambique, Eswatini and South Africa.
Having spent time in Eswatini and South Africa while currently being based in Mozambique, the artist said the cross-border response feels particularly meaningful.
“Music doesn’t really recognise borders,” he said. “KADODA is showing that Southern African artists can create records that travel while still remaining connected to their roots.”
Despite the growing attention, ZaiMarn is careful not to allow the viral success to define his entire career.
Professionally, he said the song has brought more conversations, opportunities and exposure, while personally it has reminded him why he started making music.
KADODA, he stressed, is only one chapter.
“I don’t want to be defined by one viral record. I want people to see the bigger picture and understand the artist I’m becoming.”
That bigger picture includes an upcoming full-length project featuring more music and collaborations, as well as an official KADODA music video recently shot with Sky Black Production.
The artist also hopes to perform the song in Eswatini, describing the as an important part of his journey.
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