Talented Eswatini musician Young Zesh has teamed up with Her Royal Highness Princess Buhlebetive on a new cultural Hip Hop single titled Giya, set for release on August 21, 2026.
he song, produced by DJ Navie and released under Mabonwa Abulawe Records, seeks to blend contemporary Hip Hop with traditional Swati musical elements while celebrating the Kingdom’s annual Umhlanga (Reed Dance) Ceremony.
According to Young Zesh, Giya was created as a cultural anthem, particularly aimed at young people, with a strong focus on encouraging young women to embrace their heritage and participate in Umhlanga.
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“Giya is a powerful cultural Hip Hop anthem that celebrates the beauty, pride, and heritage of Eswatini’s Umhlanga (Reed Dance) Ceremony.
Blending modern Hip Hop with authentic traditional Swati musical elements, the song creates a fresh sound that connects today’s youth with one of the Kingdom’s most treasured cultural celebrations,” he said.
The artist said the Umhlanga Ceremony, which brings together thousands of unmarried young women each year, provided the foundation for the song’s message of culture, unity and tradition.
Young Zesh delivers energetic, motivational verses that encourage young women across the Kingdom to participate in the ceremony, embrace their cultural identity, and uphold values passed down through generations.
Princess Buhlebetive’s contribution adds a royal dimension to the production.
She features on the song with a verse in which she praises His Majesty King Mswati III while highlighting the significance of Umhlanga and its role in preserving Swati customs and promoting national unity.
Young Zesh said having the princess on the record strengthened its cultural significance.
“The inspiration came from wanting to create something that speaks directly to our young people, especially young women, while celebrating the beauty, culture and importance of Umhlanga Festival,” he said.
The musician said the intention was to create a record that could appeal to younger audiences without losing its connection to Swati tradition.
“I wanted to combine the sound that I represent as a Hip Hop artist with our traditional Swati elements and create something that feels modern but still carries the spirit of our culture.
Having Princess Buhlebetive on the song made it even more meaningful because she brings a genuine connection to the culture and to the royal family,” he said. At the heart of the song is a message of cultural pride and participation.
“The main message behind ‘Giya’ is to encourage our young women to participate in and embrace Umhlanga.
It is about being proud of who we are, where we come from, and the culture that has been passed down to us,” Young Zesh said.
He described the recording process as a significant experience, particularly because of the collaboration between himself, Princess Buhlebetive and producer DJ Navie.
“The creative process was really beautiful. It was an honour and a great experience creating this song alongside Princess Buhlebetive and DJ Navie, who produced the record.
Working with Princess Buhlebetive was also a special experience because she brought her own perspective and energy to the record. DJ Navie understood the vision and helped us bring the sound together perfectly,” he said.
For Young Zesh, the collaboration was also a personal milestone. “Honestly, working with the princess was an amazing experience, but I was also a little scared at first! It was an honour for me as an artist to work with her on a song that represents our culture, and I really appreciate the opportunity,” he said.
Young Zesh said the record is intended to be more than an entertainment release, describing it as a celebration of Swati identity and an invitation for young women to take pride in their heritage.
“Produced by DJ Navie and released under Mabonwa Abulawe Records, Giya is more than just a song but a celebration of Swati identity, an invitation for young women to take pride in their heritage, and a musical tribute to one of Africa’s most iconic cultural ceremonies,” he said.
