Samthing Soweto Makes a Comeback With “Deda,” a Poetic New Single, Before His Upcoming Album

Samthing Soweto is finally back after a five-year musical break, and he’s leading the charge with the poignant new tune “Deda.” 

The song, which is already accessible for download and streaming, provides a potent sneak peek of his forthcoming full-length studio album Touch Is a Move, Good Morning, which will be out on July 4.

“Deda,” a soul-stirring fusion of poetry and electronic rhythm, was produced by John Lundun and written with his trademark emotional depth. The Nguni saying “mabudede ubumnyama buvele ukukhanya”—”let the darkness retreat so that light may come”—serves as the basis for the song. Samthing Soweto depicts the personal portrayal of loving someone who is attracted to nightlife while secretly wishing for their safety through this poetic lens. The end product is an open, sincere, and incredibly poignant song that signals a bold comeback for one of South Africa’s most cherished voices.

“Deda” comes after “Amagents,” a double-platinum hit that went viral nationwide as a heartfelt letter from father to daughter, to the top of the charts. Touch Is a Move, Good Morning, the artist’s first album since 2019’s Isiphithiphithi, will include both tracks.

The title of the record is derived from two very intimate customs. “Touch Is a Move” embodies a fundamental idea from childhood: you have to commit to the move whenever you touch a piece in a game. It serves as a metaphor for growth, risk-taking, and decisiveness. “Good Morning” refers to a daily practice that Samkelo Lelethu Mdolomba established in 2023: saying “good morning” to his followers each morning as a means of maintaining a sense of community and connection.

Samthing Soweto has remained true to himself while evolving, from his a cappella roots with The Soil to creating international blockbusters like “Akanamali” and genre-bending projects like Isiphithiphithi. He welcomes listeners into a new chapter with Touch Is a Move, Good Morning, which opens with a greeting, a tale, and the distinct sound of home.