The following interview has been lightly edited for clarity and context.

Your album Testament won a SAMA award. After all your hard work, how does it feel to have reached this milestone?

lordkez: It’s an honour to win this award and be recognised as one of the leading female artists in SA. I truly appreciate the recognition from the SAMAs. Representing R&B and Alternative Music is special to me because I dream of putting South African music on a global stage.

Out of all the features you’ve done, which one is your favourite and why?

lordkez: My personal favourite feature dropped on March 7, 2025, on Ginger Trill’s new album. The song is called Rap Don’t Pay, and I think it might be my favourite to date. I also have another favourite coming up on Shekhinah’s next album.

In 2024, you featured on Open with Hannah Ray and Mars Baby. What was it like working on that track?

lordkez: I loved pouring my emotions into that song. The studio session was amazing - Hannah Ray is incredibly talented, and Mars Baby is my guy. We had so much fun creating the song, and it turned out beautifully.

What are your thoughts on collaboration?

lordkez: I think collaboration is important - especially when it happens organically. You can always tell when a collaboration isn’t natural. I love working with people and brands that share similar core values because that type of alignment always leads to something special.

What’s your creative process when working on features?

lordkez: When I get a feature request, I first focus on the sonics. Then, I analyze the message of the song to see if I connect with it. Once I do, I make sure my contribution respects the song’s theme—I don’t like when features feel disconnected from the track’s message. Then, I put my best size-3 foot forward and record from an authentic place.

What can fans expect from you this year?

lordkez: New music, of course. I have a completed project that I’m really excited about. It's called Me You and the 90s — it is going to be a vibe!

Four years ago, you released Sunday featuring J-Tek and Priddy Ugly. How did that song come together?

lordkez: That song is special to me - it was part of my first official project with STAY LOW. I wrote the song and left space for features. Since I already knew Priddy, we got together and finished his verse. Then I sent it to J-Tek, whom I had connected with online. He sent back his verse, and it all came together beautifully, inspired by our shared love for Sundays.

#tequila

Music dynamo lordkez spills on new tracks, margaritas and her creative evolution