ZYO is a South African music artist inspired by the cultural aesthetic of
Afrofuturism. Through his music, he hopes to spread the ideals of unity,
positivity, and connectedness.
Little is known about ZYO. Shrouded in swathes of intensely coloured
shweshwe fabric and donning a futuristic helmet, his eyes are concealed
behind a visor. There are flashes of skin, but the palette of his hands and
other features is indeterminate. With an ever-evolving look, ZYO’s current
custom-made outfit is a perfect visualisation of the music he is releasing
currently; sounds that are unique and almost futuristic, but at the same
time also contemporary.
This is how he wants it to be - an enigmatic music man - appreciated for
his fusion of electronic beats and African rhythms. The specifics of
biography pale in relation to the journey of his “fusion of cultures” that
he is embarking on. ZYO is about innovation, shape-shifting, and
collaboration. The element of mystique is also something that draws people
to ZYO’s beats, embracing the journey of discovery through the colourful
and universal language of music.
ZYO strives to present Africa in a futuristic way - hence the moniker comes
from the Zulu word “esizayo”, which is translated as “future” in English.
