Tony Dayimane is preparing to show fans an entirely different side of himself in his potential next project. In a recent interview with DJ Speedsta on 5 Hip Hop Nights, the rapper revealed that his next move might surprise some but it’s exactly where his heart is.
“I would really like to drop a project with just love songs,” Tony shared candidly. Having publicly embraced his relationship with influencer Yanda Woods, he admits he’s been receiving a lot of commentary online. “I’m basically a lover boy,” he acknowledged his openness around love, especially as a rapper, has sparked conversations.
But for Tony, this new direction isn’t just about his relationship but much deeper. His connection to love as a theme stretches far beyond the present moment.
“Embracing love as an artist also comes from the surroundings of my family growing up,” he said.
Music filled his household from a young age, and it wasn’t confined to one genre. His upbringing was rich with diverse sounds that laid the foundation for his current AfroPop ambitions.
My mother, grandmother and grandfather, they all used to listen to different music genres,” Tony explained. These early influences left a lasting impression.
“My grandmother would blast the Zahara album, uLoliwe while driving us to my father’s and on different occasions, my mother would also blast Sjava’s Isina Muva, that’s why I’m not so scared to step out and do Afro Pop.”
This shift interest in direction is not a sudden leap but a natural evolution of an artist shaped by his environment. Tony doesn’t just dabble in AfroPop, he lives in it.
“I’ve heard Afro Pop, been exposed to it, I love it and I actually listen to it more than Hip Hop,” he admitted. Whether he’s in the car or relaxing at home, Tony says he blasts AfroPop everywhere. It’s what makes him feel grounded and authentic.
“For me, Afro Pop music is my comfort music in a sense,” he said. This genre gives him space to express emotion more freely, to lean into melodies, and to channel the kind of storytelling he grew up listening to.
While fans may know him for his lyrical ability and presence in South Africa’s hip hop scene, Tony’s next chapter could reflect a more soulful, heartfelt sound. He’s not abandoning rap but expanding.
What listeners should expect next from Tony is honesty, melody, and a whole lot of love.
