Afro-pop singer AllOver I reveals musical inspirations and his new project
Speaking to TshisaLIVE, AllOver I revealed that his passion for music was sparked by international hip-hop icon 50 Cent. 'Growing up, 50 Cent's resilience and his come-up story spoke to me. His confidence and how he turned his pain into power inspired me to do the same with my story,' he said.
On the home front, he draws influence from kwaito legend Zola 7, who is widely celebrated for using music as a tool for empowerment and storytelling. 'Zola 7 was that voice for the voiceless. He made us believe that no matter where you come from, your story matters. That stayed with me.'
AllOver I's latest project Ukubona Abantu Abacindezelwa explores the struggles faced by everyday South Africans. The title, which loosely translates to 'seeing the oppressed people,' reflects a core theme of resilience and hope.
'The inspiration came from seeing people who are constantly beaten down by life — by poverty, by unemployment, by personal loss — but somehow they rise. Bouncing back, sophumelela as if akaze kwabheda (they succeed as if things were never bad),' he said.
Blending smooth Afro-pop melodies with lyrical depth, AllOver I hopes his music will uplift listeners and spark conversations about healing and survival. 'This is for the people who keep going even when life doesn't make it easy. I want them to know I see them, and they're not alone.'
With an ever-growing fan base and authentic storytelling at the heart of his music, AllOver I is a name to watch in the Afro-pop landscape.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

TimesLIVE
4 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
Labubu fans dote over ugly-cute doll trending at Comic-Con
San Diego Comic-Con is the latest location where the ugly-cute dolls named Labubu have been trending, with fans carrying the plushies globally popularised by celebrities Rihanna, Lizzo, Dua Lipa and Lisa from the K-pop group Blackpink. The wide-eyed and grinning doll was created in 2015 by Hong Kong artist and illustrator Kasing Lung. In 2019, Lung allowed them to be sold by Pop Mart, a Chinese toy company that sells collectible figurines, often in 'blind boxes'. 'Blind boxes' are sealed boxes containing a surprise item that is usually part of a themed collection. Naomi Galban from San Diego waited in line on Sunday at the Pop Mart booth in the San Diego Convention Center for a chance to get her first Labubu. 'Every time I go to a Pop Mart store, they're sold out,' the 24-year-old said. She hoped to buy one for her little sister. Emily Brough, Pop Mart's Head of IP Licensing, spoke to Reuters on Thursday about Labubu fans at Comic-Con. 'We love to see how fans are personalising it [Labubu] for themselves,' Brough said next to the Pop Mart booth. While Brough noted that there were many people with a Labubu strapped to their bags and backpacks at Comic-Con, the doll's popularity did not happen overnight. Labubus had a huge boost in 2019 after Pop Mart began selling them, and in 2024, when Blackpink's Lisa, who is Thai, created a buying frenzy in Thailand after she promoted Labubu on social media.

IOL News
7 hours ago
- IOL News
Controversy reigns: inside the Miss South Africa pageant's most tumultuous year yet
Miss SA 2024, Mia le Roux who was a part of the pageant's controversies after she withdrew from the Miss Universe beauty pageant, a few hours before the finale. Image: Instagram The most popular and prestigious pageant in Mzansi, Miss South Africa, has been the talk of the town for the past few months, and it has not been for the right reasons. What was once regarded as a glamorous and riveting pageant has turned into a controversial pageant that has netizens raising eyebrows. From last year's scandal involving Chidimma Adetshina to the resignation of prominent people in the organisation and the postponement of the pageant itself, it has been a bumpy road for the glamorous event. Here are the top controversies of Miss SA that made headlines: Chidimma Adetshina's tumultuous journey in the beauty pageant world It all began with Nigeria's beauty queen, Chidimma Adetshina, whose citizenship was questioned by South Africans as they claimed online that her name is rather unfamiliar in South Africa. Every week, Adetshina would be trending all over social media as she faced online backlash with people calling for her withdrawal from the beauty pageant. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Petitions, interviews and online conversations were all about the 24-year-old whose identity was questioned countless times and the Department of Home Affairs even got involved. It conducted an investigation and found prima facie evidence that her mother, Anabella Rungo, committed identity theft and fraud in the year that Adetshina was born, 2001. Just a few days before the finale, Adetshina announced that she was withdrawing from Miss SA due to the backlash and for the safety of her and her family. But her journey in the beauty pageant industry did not end there because soon after her withdrawal, the Miss Universe Nigeria organisation released a statement saying that they are inviting Adetshina to compete in their pageant. This turn of events stunned many as they did not anticipate Adetshina taking part in another beauty pageant. After the Miss SA finale show, the beauty queen took to Instagram to announce that she is accepting the invitation to participate in Nigeria. Adetshina rose against all odds as she won the crown of Miss Universe Nigeria and represented her home country at the globally acclaimed Miss Universe. The controversial beauty queen even made history for Nigeria as she reached the top two, making it the first time for the African country to reach that far in the competition since 2001. Mia le Roux withdrew from Miss Universe 2025 The entire nation in South Africa was excited and rallied behind the first-ever hearing-impaired beauty queen in the history of beauty pageants. Her participation in the industry was seen as inspirational and one of its kind; the excitement of having a beauty queen like Le Roux transformed a lot of people's perceptions about pageants. It also shifted how differently-abled people in our communities are viewed. Le Roux's impact showed that one's dream, no matter how far-fetched it may seem, is attainable. Le Roux showcased her journey, from the preparations to go to Mexico to the behind-the-scenes of what is happening in the glamorous Miss Universe competition. However, things took a turn when the Miss Universe organisation revealed that Le Roux had withdrawn from the competition, citing health reasons. A few days after the announcement, Le Roux came forward and revealed that she withdrew because she experienced vertigo symptoms, which took a physical strain on her and prompted her to bow out of the pageant, just a few hours before the finale. Werner Wessels left the Miss SA organisation In January, Werner Wessels shocked the nation after he announced his departure from the Miss SA organisation. Wessels took to Instagram as he shared a statement which confirmed that he is leaving the organisation and stepping down from his role as the creative director. His departure marked the end of a remarkable chapter since he played a pivotal role in guiding several South African queens to victory on the global stage. While his departure was a jaw-dropping announcement, Wessels later on joined the Miss Supranational organisation. The announcement of Wessels' new venture was announced by the president of the Miss Supranational organisation, Gerhard Parzutka von Lipsinski. Wessels was appointed the brand development consultant effective immediately. Miss South Africa organisation not participating in the 2025 Miss Supranational beauty pageant A few months after Werner left the organisation, Miss SA announced that it would not be participating in the Miss Supranational pageant for 2025. The announcement came after fans kept asking if either Le Roux or the Miss SA first runner-up, Nompumelelo Maduna, would represent Mzansi in Poland. In May, the organisation revealed that, based on a mutual decision, it would not take part in the global pageant, and the license for Miss Supranational was not renewed. Stephanie Weil stepped down as CEO While many were flabbergasted over the past events of what was taking place in the organisation, an announcement about someone leaving the organisation again followed, and this time it was the CEO. Miss SA shared a statement that an agreement about Weil leaving the organisation was reached. However, she will still continue to help the new team/organisers transition into their new roles. Many former beauty queens paid tribute to Weil on social media for her work in the organisation for all these years and the platform she gave them to help make their dreams come true. Miss SA organisation postponing the annual pageant For many South Africans or beauty pageant lovers, this was the nail in the coffin. What was deemed as an annual and celebrated pageant got postponed. Usually the Miss SA pageant took place from early on in the year in May until August. This time period was exciting for pageant enthusiasts as they would see the journey behind one becoming a beauty queen. However, in July, the organisation revealed that the highly anticipated and glitzy pageant will no longer be taking place in August as it has been pushed to a later date in the year. Netizens were left disappointed, but they expressed on social media that they saw the delay coming, while others shared that they do not think that there will be a Miss SA pageant this year.


The Citizen
a day ago
- The Citizen
Fujifilm's GFX Challenge open to South African creators
The program is a global initiative designed to support and nurture aspiring creatives in bringing their imaging projects to life. Fujifilm has announced the launch of the GFX Challenge Grant Program 2025, with applications now open to creatives worldwide, including South Africa. The program is a global initiative designed to support and nurture aspiring creatives in bringing their imaging projects to life. South Africans have been encouraged to apply, following the success of Cape Town-based Jodi Windvogel, a Global Grant recipient of the challenge in 2023. Prize Creatives have the chance to receive a US$10 000 Global Grant Award or a US$5 000 Regional Grant Award, helping to transform their creative ideas into reality. Winners also receive access to a Fujifilm GFX System camera body and two GF lenses for the duration of their project, as well as mentoring and technical assistance from Fujifilm technicians and product experts. In total, there are five Global Grant Awards available, with 10 Regional Grant Awards in place. ALSO READ: Fujifilm launches X Half camera to make photography fun again Amateur and professional The GFX Challenge Grant Program 2025 is open to amateur and professional photographers and videographers who are residents of South Africa, with the submission period closing on 31 August 2025. The award recipients will be announced in January 2026, with the final projects to be exhibited in various countries as well as on the website. What to shoot? Windvogel was announced as a Global Grant recipient for her project 'The Body at Risk'. The project was a harrowing look at the landscapes in South Africa where incidents of gender-based violence took place. 'Start with a strong concept that is close to your heart – one that is well-researched, timely and meaningful. Ask yourself: why this story, why now and why you? Let your proposal reflect your commitment and the urgency of the narrative,' Windvogel said. 'The panel is not just looking for beautiful images; they're looking for work that moves, educates and sparks dialogue. Be honest, passionate and prepared to immerse yourself in the process.' Photographers and videographers looking to enter the GFX Challenge Grant Program 2025 are able to do so until 31 August 2025. NOW READ: Huawei unveils Pura 80 series smartphones with innovative camera system [VIDEO]