The beat of Isaka (6am), South African Afro-pop artist Ciza’s latest release, grabs you from the first second. Featuring Jazzworx and Thukuthela, the percussion ricochets, and the synths shimmer with controlled chaos. Evidently, the song was made for packed dance floors, open-air raves, and sunrise parties that blur the line between night and day.
The music video expands that vision. A convoy of sleek, high-end cars glides into a mansion, setting the scene for a celebration of wealth. The visual mirrors the energy of the track: loud and confident in its momentum. Much like the music itself, the world Ciza is creating announces itself.
Born to Nhlanhla Nciza, iconic lead singer of the Mafikizolo group, and TK Nciza, a former label executive, music mogul, and now politician, Ciza has music in his blood. But industry lineage alone doesn’t account for his rise. Since debuting in 2020, he has steadily built a discography that leans into amapiano while embracing Afro-pop’s emotional range. His musical instincts reflect both his heritage and a distinctly global ear.
And the numbers show it. With 1.7 million monthly listeners on Spotify, his cultural impact cannot be ignored. Additionally, on TikTok, Isaka (6am) currently has 431.2k videos, still set to keep growing. As we know it now, TikTok is the place to build a consistent, growing audience.
Across all platforms, Ciza’s digital footprint paints the picture of an artist with a wide reach. His new song Isaka (6am) has amassed over 25.1 million streams across platforms, including 8.83 million on Spotify and 3.1 million on Apple Music. Every stream is a listener returning to that catchy beat, to the world the track offers.
On YouTube, his visual storytelling is just as impactful. His music videos have racked up 8.6 million views, with others reaching 5 million, 414k, and 230k. Even on more niche platforms like Audiomack, where he’s earned 20k streams, Ciza’s presence speaks to a grassroots music culture where numbers may be smaller but engagement is personal and loyal.
Isaka (6am) has spread geographically, too. The track has topped South Africa’s All Genres Chart, Dance Chart, and iTunes Chart, asserting dominance on home turf. But his appeal extends well beyond national borders. He’s claimed the #1 spot on iTunes in Kenya, Namibia, Botswana, and Uganda. His music has also broken into Viral 50 charts in the Netherlands, Nigeria, and South Africa, and found placement on Hot Hits playlists from South Africa to Tanzania. In today’s algorithm-driven music landscape, this kind of global playlisting reflects relevance.
On Shazam, curious new listeners have pushed him to #13 globally, #1 in South Africa, and #5 on the Global Dance Chart. And then, there’s house music, a genre going through a global renaissance. Ciza’s #1 spot on the Global House Charts places him squarely in the lineage of artists pushing house into new territory. He also charts in the UK (#27), Canada (#30), the US (#56), and Australia (#59).
Isaka (6am) captures the pace Ciza is setting. It’s a track built to move people, both physically and emotionally, across borders. With every beat, Ciza is pushing his sound outward and expanding his reach. The momentum is real, and if you’re not already listening, you’re late. You can watch the track’s official music video.
