Apple Gule, one of South Africa’s most compelling vocalists and storytellers, returns with a bold new offering that redefines musical boundaries and celebrates the power of collaboration.
His latest single, “Grizzly” — featuring acclaimed Zulu lyricist Anzo — is a genre-bending anthem that fuses the soul of American country music with the heart of South African storytelling.
With “Grizzly”, Gule ushers in a deeply personal chapter: a return to his rural roots, expressed through the raw emotion and lyrical vulnerability of country music.
But this is not a traditional country track—it’s country reimagined through an African lens. Produced by Zādok and enhanced by the soulful pedal steel guitar of Sez Adamson, the track is a layered tapestry of texture and story.
Anzo’s heartfelt Zulu verse adds a profound dose of vernacular soul, making “Grizzly” both globally resonant and proudly African.
Watch the official music video for the track below:
“This isn’t about leaving anything behind,” says Apple Gule. “It’s about fusing who I’ve always been with where I’m going. ‘Grizzly’ tells a story of heartbreak—but it also celebrates resilience, collaboration, and the beauty of our musical diversity.”
The track is a testament to the ongoing blurring of genre lines in today’s music landscape. Combining heartfelt country melodies, pop structure, and indigenous language, “Grizzly” captures a sound that feels both universal and deeply local.
It’s a musical crossroads—where Nashville meets Nkaba—proving that collaboration across cultures and languages only enriches the artform.
Released under CSR Records in partnership with Virgin Music Group South Africa, “Grizzly” is more than just a song—it’s a statement. It challenges convention, opens new sonic pathways, and demonstrates the incredible creativity that emerges when artists bring their full selves—and their communities—into the studio.
As Apple Gule continues to push boundaries both locally and internationally, “Grizzly” marks a defining moment: a fearless embrace of roots, reinvention, and resonance.
More info about Apple Gule
Born Aphelele Gule in the town of Nhlangano, eSwatini, and raised in the village of Nkaba, Apple Gule’s musical journey is rooted in cultural pride, emotional honesty, and constant evolution.
Known for his smooth vocals and genre-fluid songwriting, Gule has seamlessly traversed house, soul, and pop—collaborating with renowned names such as Kyle Watson, Da Capo, Crazy White Boy, Hyenah, Dwson, and many others.
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