He Just Wanted a Photo: How One Bold Move Turned a Nobody into Big Zulu’s Right-Hand Man
That’s exactly what happened to Xowla, a young talent from Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal, who now stands shoulder-to-shoulder with some of Mzansi’s biggest artists like Big Zulu, Sjava, and Lwah Ndlunkulu. But his journey? It didn’t start with a record label or fancy studio. It started with a simple video on social media — and a moment of boldness he almost didn’t take.
Xowla, born Xolani Shabalala, never imagined that posting a random video he made with a friend could change everything. But it did. Someone saw it and shared it with none other than Big Zulu.
"Big Zulu started asking about me,” Xowla shared during his chat on the Vuma with Inkosiyesizwe podcast. But even after that brief buzz, things went quiet. “We didn’t talk for six months,” he admitted.
Then came the real turning point.
Frustrated but inspired, Xowla made a song called iVolovolo. But something didn’t feel right. So, in a bold and risky move, he deleted his own verses — yes, his own verses — and sent the beat to everyone in his contacts, including Big Zulu.
“I felt something was missing,” he said. “I knew the right person would know what to do with it.”
Big Zulu didn’t just listen — he felt it. He recorded his verse, and Xowla asked him to add it to his album. That track, iVolovolo, ended up becoming one of the standout hits, officially putting Xowla on the map.
But let’s rewind a bit to one of the most human, unfiltered moments in this journey.
Before iVolovolo blew up, Xowla had seen Big Zulu at a music event in Johannesburg. “I asked for a photo,” he recalls, laughing. “And he actually recognised me from the video.” That small ask led to them swapping contacts — a decision that would shape his future forever.
Even when the opportunity finally knocked, it came with sacrifice. “I was at work in Kempton Park when Big Zulu called. He wanted to meet at 5pm. I had to ask my boss if I could leave early,” Xowla said. His boss said yes. That studio session changed everything.
Today, Xowla is a full-time artist and producer under iNkabi Records. He’s worked with some of the industry’s biggest names and played a key role in shaping the label’s growing sound. But more than that, he’s proof that sometimes, the door doesn’t open — you have to knock.
His story reminds us: you don’t need millions of followers to be noticed. You just need to be ready when opportunity shows up — even if it’s disguised as a random encounter or a photo request.
So if you’re sitting on a dream, wondering if anyone’s watching — post that video. Send that beat. Ask for that photo.
Because sometimes, your big break is just one bold move away.
If you enjoyed this story and want to keep discovering more real-life journeys that inspire and connect, follow our blog for more.
<p style="font-size: 12px; font-style: italic;">Images used in this article are for informational and reporting purposes only. Where applicable, screenshots were taken from public livestreams or official government sources under fair use policy. Image credits belong to their respective owners. If you believe any image was used in error, please contact us for immediate removal.</p>
%20%E2%80%93%20Scaled%20(95%25).png){kind=tracking}
Comments