It is often said that content is king and no one understands this big idea better than Cape Town based marketing strategist, Zethu Gqola. Boasting over 200, 000 followers on TikTok, the marketing maven is at the forefront of entertainment and pop culture commentary in South Africa’s digital landscape. Zethu is popularly known for her authentic commentary and personable delivery on trending topics and stories that she personally finds interesting in pop culture and socio-political space, occasionally balancing her content with vlogs of her daily life.
Having worked in the music industry for over a decade, Zethu is an all-around thought leader who is currently working as the Marketing Campaign Manager at Apple, as well as the Project manager at music distribution company Platoon. Moreover, Zethu received a nod from the DStv Content Creators Awards with a nomination in the “Knowledge Sharing Award” category.
A music lover at heart, Zethu has continually shared her playlists which comprise music from local artists to musicians in the African diaspora and beyond. We had a chat with the melomaniac and she shared her music preferences, as well as the perfect travel playlist for the festive season.
What is your go-to music genre for a road trip playlist?
It’s a tie between hip-hop and Afrobeats. I have the uncontrollable urge to sing along at the detriment of fellow passengers.
Zethu’s Road Trip Playlist
- Lil Yachty – pRETTY
- WurlD – SPUNK
- Amaarae – Reckless & Sweet
- scumie featuring Blxckie – Give Me Ya Luv
- scumie featuring Roiii & DopeNation – Quik Fix
- Ajebutter 22 featuring Ajebo Hustlers – Enjoyment
- Rema – Dumebi
- Wizkid – Fever
- Bayani – Ta Ta Ta
- Wizkid featuring Skepta & Naira Marley – Wow
In your opinion, what makes a song good? Its lyrics, the beat, a combination of both, or something else?
I LOVE good songwriting. It’s the difference between good and great artists. A lot of musicians churn over similar lyrics, but great songwriters create meaningful music that leaves a lasting impression. But great songwriting needs to be a part of a great bigger picture in the composition, but songwriting is the most important to me.
Which music artists are dominating your playlist currently?
I listen to a lot of A-Reece, Amaarae and Rema.
There were many great music releases this year. What is your song for the summer?
DJ Lag and Blxckie’s new single ‘Kwenzakalan’. I’ve always had a deep love for Gqom, and in a world saturated with Afro tech, Amapiano, and Afrobeats it’s incredibly refreshing and quite an uncommon sound to hear, the combination of hip hop and Gqom but two legends in their own right.
