Classically trained Afrosoul singer/songwriter Yallunder adds a touch of trap to maskandi balladry on her 2020 debut EP, Uthando Lwam. Born in Bizana, a town in South Africa's Eastern Cape province, Yallunder initially studied music education. In 2020, however, she began appearing as a guest on house tracks such as Lemon & Herb's "Ndimlona" and Nobuhle's "Kuvaliwe," and contributed three songs to iSambulo, 1020 Cartel’s revelatory album. But Yallunder proved to be anything but a typical Afrobeats singer. Her first single and video, "Ndinovalo (I'm Scared),” cast a spotlight on the challenges of suicide and depression. Elsewhere on Uthando Lwam, delicate arrangements—like the elegantly simple acoustic guitar-accompanied “Nguwe” or the slow trap groove that creeps into "Iphutha"—present Yallunder as a cool vocal force who is thoroughly in control.