Rising Voices in Cape Town’s Am
apiano Scene: Emmieking021 & Weleza

Cape Town’s amapiano wave is alive and growing, and two names at the heart of this movement are Emmanuel Nkulu, better known as Emmieking021, and Weleza, popularly called Mr Operator. On a recent edition of Morning Cruise on Bush Radio 89.5FM, the duo joined the conversation to share their stories, their sound, and their vision for the Mother City’s music scene.

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🎤 Meet the Artists

Emmieking021 — Emmanuel Nkulu
Born and raised in Wetton and Ottery, Emmanuel describes himself as a versatile artist whose music is built on melody and vibe. For him, every track is more than just sound — it’s storytelling, a way of connecting with people through shared experiences. Beyond music, Emmie is a young entrepreneur, with dreams of building something bigger than just beats and bars, carving out a new style and movement in Cape Town.

Weleza — Mr Operator
A Cape Town-based producer, Weleza is quickly becoming a name to watch in South Africa’s amapiano wave. His sound fuses soulful, spiritual, and commercial piano grooves with the heavy influence of deep Kwaito basslines. The result is a nostalgic yet modern flavor that captures the rhythm of the streets and the spirit of the soul.

Host (Morning Cruise):
"Good morning Cape Town, you’re tuned into Morning Cruise on Bush Radio 89.5FM. Today, we’ve got two fresh voices making waves in the Mother City’s music scene. They’re bringing their own twist to amapiano and putting Cape Town firmly on the map. Please welcome Emmanuel Nkulu, better known as Emmieking021, and Weleza, also known as Mr Operator."

The conversation unfolded around their journeys, inspirations, and challenges as artists working in a rapidly evolving scene:

• To Emmie: How did growing up in Wetton and Ottery shape your music?

• To Weleza: Your sound blends soul and Kwaito basslines — what makes your production unique?

• To Both: Amapiano has exploded across South Africa — how is Cape Town carving its place in the movement?

• To Emmie: You’ve said your music tells stories people can relate to. Can you share an example of that storytelling in your songs?

• To Weleza: What’s your creative process when building a track from scratch?

• To Both: How did the two of you connect, and what has collaboration brought to your work?

• To Emmie: As an entrepreneur, what are you building beyond music — a brand, events, or a label?

• To Weleza: With amapiano becoming more commercial, where does your sound fit between mainstream and underground?

To Both: What’s been your toughest challenge breaking into Cape Town’s music industry, and how have you overcome it?

• To Both: Looking ahead, where do you see yourselves five years from now, and what message do you want to leave with your fans?

As the segment wrapped up, the host reminded listeners:
"That was Emmieking021 and Mr Operator Weleza, two powerful voices shaping Cape Town’s sound and taking amapiano to new heights. Keep it locked right here on Bush Radio 89.5FM — the heartbeat of the Mother City. This is Morning Cruise, and we’ll be back after this."

With their blend of raw talent, storytelling, and entrepreneurial drive, Emmie and Weleza represent the energy and ambition of Cape Town’s rising amapiano generation. If their words are anything to go by, their journey has only just begun — and the best is yet to come.