Sun-El Musician seemingly came out of nowhere to own 2017 with his hit “Akanamali”. Turns out the man from Mooi River—real name Sanele Sithole—has been on the scene as a DJ and producer for years, his credits including work with Zakes Bantwini, Bucie and Thiwe. The success of “Akanamali”, his debut single featuring Samthing Soweto, established him as a heavyweight hitmaker, with his debut album, Africa to the World, proving that it was no fluke. Sun-El boasts an elegant urban sound and a distinctive, boundary-crossing style: house forms the base of a musical brew that also reflects influences as diverse as funk, soul and traditional South African music genres like mbaqanga. As hard-working as he is talented, this creative powerhouse still has much more to reveal.