The trio made up of Tshedi Mholo, Bongani Nchang and the late Jabulani Ndaba became one of South Africa’s brightest rising stars with the 2003 release of their debut album, and their soulful, Nu Afro-pop sound became one of the hallmarks of 21st century South Africa. “There was a sense of togetherness that was there at the time, as well as a hunger for success,” Bongani Nchang tells Apple Music about the group’s early days. “‘Mhla’ Upel’ Amandla’ was the first song that was recorded and composed. I remember performing the song for the first time, at a wedding in Polokwane, a friend of [producer] Kwaito Godfrey ‘Guffy’ Pilane. The stage was set, and nearby there was another gathering on same day—they heard something was happening, and I will never forget the look on their faces listening to us; everyone was blown away. At that time we had a glimpse of what was to come; we were asked to repeat the song several times as people just could not get enough. We won a lot of people's hearts over this song.” Songs like “Liyaduma Izulu” and showcased the group’s ability to marry folk melodies with Afro-pop sensibilities and emotive lyrics, while drawing in people from a cross-section of South African culture by incorporating isiXhosa, isiZulu (“Hamba”) and Sotho lyrics (“Melodi”). The album celebrated their influences, too, like Hugh Masekela (“Indoda Yempandla”) and Miriam Makeba (“Hauteng”). Malaika earned the group the Best Newcomer Group Kora Award in 2004. The album’s breakthrough hit became “Destiny”, which still tops radio charts even 20 years after its release—and it was inspired by Nchang’s love for R&B. “When I introduced the song to the group, they felt doing an English song would not work as we were an African outfit,” he explains. “They said, ‘Let’s give it a try,’ and we had Tshedi sing it. So I guess the song served to introduce Tshedi to the music industry at the time as it showcases her vocals front and centre.”