Nando’s has supported music talent from day dot. From fuelling emerging artists with its delicious PERi-PERi to collaborating with creative platforms. That’s why Nando’s pioneering ‘Mix It Up’ project has returned for 2023. Bringing together some of the spiciest UK and South African music talent on one Extra-Hot EP, the PERi-PERi fuelled project is a celebration of Nando’s role in music culture, and has delivered the soundtrack to the summer.
The ‘Mix It Up Vol. 2’ EP pairs four fresh talents from the UK; K-Trap, Kojey Radical, Lost Girl and Niko B, with four Amapiano producers; MFR Souls, Mathandos, LuuDaDeejay and Dinho and one vocalist, Makhanj from South Africa, to showcase a unique fusion of cultures and musical styles. The result is a menu of tracks that see the infectious rhythms of Amapiano meet the mesmerizing lyricism of the UK Drill, RnB, Hip Hop and Rap scenes. The ultimate embodiment of Nando’s brand belief that ‘Life’s Better When You Mix It Up’, the EP was produced between Nando’s sponsored Flame Studios in South Africa and Nando’s Soho recording studio in London. Artists were able to write and record their tracks, whilst being inspired by the collaboration process and music influence of the different continents.
The EP is the second to come from Nando’s ‘Mix It Up’ project which launched in 2022 (check out last year’s EP featuring BERWYN, Bru-C, Mira May and M1llionz, HERE) in partnership with non-profit, South Africa-based organisation Bridges For Music who aim to empower under-served communities in South Africa through creative education and the power of music. Set up to celebrate Nando’s South African heritage and platform emerging music talent in the Bridges For Music network, ‘Mix It Up’ shines a light on the incredible sounds coming out of the South Africa and the UK music scenes, whilst driving Nando’s broader initiative to change lives through its connection and influence within music in the UK and SA.
With talent hand-picked by Bridges For Music, and expertise input from the genre globalisers Major League DJz, the EP is a true celebration of one of the biggest cultural movements to come out of South Africa (apart from Nando’s ) and a genre that is rapidly gaining traction across the globe, Amapiano. Listen out for the distinctive sounds of the rolling log drum, pitched-up piano melodies, and slow tempo synonymous with the South African sound, not to mention production from the likes of Amapiano originators MFR Souls.
The Nando’s ‘Mix It Up Vol. 2’ EP is available to listen to on Spotify and streaming platforms now. To find out more head to https://www.nandos.co.uk/mixitup.
