In South Africa, music holds space for listeners to dance through their pain, says Afro-Kiwi pop artist InDuna.

“I went through a lot of hardships and it’s sort of like I have this thing where , man, I really dance through my pain, like, you know, I listen through music 24/7, just through it all.

“The music in South Africa as well has that sort of like sadness, but you’re dancing through your pain, sort of thing.”

Real name Tyson, InDuna translates to advisor, leader, ambassador, or commander of warriors in Xhosa and Zulu. [Two major Nguni languages spoken in South Africa]. The 28-year-old’s story of moving from Johannesburg to Wellington reads like a movie script, and with a passion for film as well, being an actor was his first dream before becoming a musician. 

His music videos are vibrant and influenced by Johannesburg’s bold fashion scene as well as the music, InDuna says. 

Releasing his sophomore EP, ‘Go High’ this week, he says that as an African artist making Afro Pop out of Lower Hut, his sound identity has been influenced by his adulthood in Aotearoa. 

“Its a way of me saying I live here, this is what I see through my eyes and this is what I experience as an African, basically.”

“I live in a dream with a one-way ticket plan” – InDuna

Blending Amapiano and Afrobeats with his unmistakable melodic style, the five-track project is both a personal offering and a bold statement shaped by a journey that spans continents, heartbreaks, and quiet moments of courage.

*Amapiano and Afrobeats are two distinct, yet popular, African-derived music genres. Afrobeats, originating in West Africa, is known for its energetic and upbeat sound, often incorporating elements of highlife, juju, and Afrobeat. Amapiano, a South African genre, is characterized by its slower tempo, log drums, and emphasis on deep, soulful piano melodies. 

Written and self-produced by InDuna, GO HIGH draws from his lived experience. It’s music that speaks to migration, perseverance, and the unshakable belief in one’s calling. For those who truly listen, this is InDuna’s life story.

“This EP is a letter to my younger self.”

 “At 17, I was teaching myself how to make music while being told I wouldn’t make it, even by teachers. ‘GO HIGH’ is about holding on to your belief, even when nobody else sees it.

“It’s for anyone who felt like giving up, but kept going.”

Co-produced with Jpec, the soulful declarations of “I’ll Be There” added with the euphoric title track “GO HIGH,” and the raw tenderness of “Take My Pain” make the EP an unfiltered reflection of identity, persistence, and emotional evolution. 

There are no features, just InDuna, his pen, and the sound of a spirit refusing to break.

InDuna’s EP Release show is at Moon in Newtown, Wellington on Saturday August 2. 

He will also be joined by two incredible acts:

*Tarin* is a soulful Moriori singer-songwriter from Whakatū, now based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara. Her sound blends dreamy R&B and soul with jazz influences, drawing inspiration from artists like Amy Winehouse and Etta James. With raw, introspective lyrics and a deeply emotive voice, Tarin delivers music that’s personal, expressive, and healing.

And, *KB the DJ* is a Cape Town-born selector now lighting up Aotearoa with his genre-spanning sets. On the night, KB will be serving deep Afro grooves and infectious rhythms to keep the energy high and the dancefloor moving.

Listen to “Go High’ by InDuna on SPOTIFY

Buy ticket to his show HERE at Under The Radar.

Look out for our feature of InDuna on the Creator’s Sketchbook Podcast COMING SOON.