NAE Joins Zimbabwean Afro House Project Inner Visions With New Track I Wanna Fly
South African singer NAE is the latest artist to join Inner Visions, a Zimbabwean Afro House compilation scheduled for release in November under South African record label Mansa Musa. The singer, whose real name is Zhane Venter, will feature on a track titled I Wanna Fly, produced by TAPIWA, Simbai and Dr Feel. Her involvement adds another South African voice to a project bringing together Zimbabwean musicians and producers to showcase their work within the Afro House genre. NAE is known for her soulful vocals and her collaboration with American DJ and record producer Kerri Chandler on the song Caged Bird, which helped raise her international profile. Her participation in Inner Visions highlights the growing creative connections between artists from across the region and the potential for collaborative projects to reach audiences beyond national borders.
NAE’s musical journey began during her childhood, when she discovered her passion for singing and started performing at school events and in church choirs at the age of 10. These early experiences gave her opportunities to develop her voice and gain confidence in front of audiences. By the age of 12, she had joined her school choir, further strengthening her vocal abilities through group performances. International artists Rihanna and Sia were among her early musical influences, helping shape her appreciation for contemporary music and expressive singing. Her development from a young choir singer into a recording artist reflects years of dedication to improving her craft and finding her own musical identity.
Speaking about her journey, NAE described music as a constant part of her life and emphasised her continued commitment to improving as an artist. “Music has always been a part of my life. I slowly got into it and pushed myself to be the best I can be, and I am still on that mission to become the best that I can possibly be,” she said. Her comments reflect an approach centred on learning, persistence and artistic growth rather than viewing success as a final destination. For emerging musicians, developing a recognisable sound often requires experimentation and experience across different musical settings. NAE’s early involvement in school and church performances provided a foundation for the professional opportunities that followed.
NAE began making a stronger impression on the South African music scene in 2023 with the release of her debut extended play, a project that blended house music with amapiano influences. The EP included tracks such as Don’t Tell, Eya and Pink Lace, introducing listeners to her approach to contemporary dance music. The combination of house and amapiano placed her work within a South African musical landscape known for its varied electronic sounds and rhythmic styles. The project also gave her an opportunity to establish herself as a recording artist while exploring the relationship between vocal performance and dance-focused production. Its release marked an important step in building her catalogue and developing a sound that could appeal to different audiences.
Following her debut EP, NAE released several singles that received airplay on South African radio stations, including Metro FM and 5FM. Radio exposure can help emerging artists introduce their music to listeners who may not have discovered them through streaming services or social media. It also provides opportunities for songs to reach audiences outside an artist’s existing fan base. For NAE, the airplay helped expand awareness of her music within the local market as she continued to develop her career. These releases laid further groundwork for collaborations that would bring her work to a wider international audience.
One of the most notable milestones in NAE’s career was her collaboration with American DJ and record producer Kerri Chandler on Caged Bird. Chandler is associated with the international house music scene, making the collaboration a significant opportunity for the South African singer to reach listeners beyond her home market. The track attracted attention for its soulful character, with music platform Juno praising its captivating sound and emotional quality. The collaboration also demonstrated how a distinctive vocal performance can complement the musical direction of an established electronic music producer. For NAE, the release added an international dimension to a career that had already begun gaining momentum through her solo work and local radio exposure.
Her latest move into the Zimbabwean Afro House scene comes through I Wanna Fly, a track created for the Inner Visions project. The song was produced in collaboration with TAPIWA, Simbai and Dr Feel, bringing together the singer’s vocals and the producers’ creative contributions. NAE has described the track as an exciting release and expressed enthusiasm about being part of a compilation featuring Zimbabwean musicians and producers. Her involvement adds a cross-border element to a project built around collaboration and shared musical ideas. The track is expected to form part of the full Inner Visions compilation, although further details about the complete tracklist have not been provided.
In a social media announcement, NAE expressed her appreciation for the opportunity to contribute to Inner Visions and work alongside artists from Zimbabwe. She said she was honoured to feature on a collaborative project curated by Dr Feel and described the participating musicians and producers as talented. She also confirmed that her contribution was titled I Wanna Fly and credited TAPIWA, Simbai and Dr Feel for their work on the production. Her message conveyed excitement about the song and anticipation for its release. The announcement has introduced her involvement to her followers while drawing attention to the wider compilation ahead of its planned November launch.
Inner Visions is positioned as a collaborative Afro House project that brings together Zimbabwean musical talent while creating room for artists from other countries to participate. Afro House combines elements of house music with African rhythmic influences, offering producers opportunities to explore percussion, melodic arrangements and atmospheric sounds. Collaborative compilations can help bring different production styles and vocal approaches together within a single release. They can also introduce listeners to artists they might not otherwise encounter through individual releases. With NAE joining the project, Inner Visions gains a vocalist with experience across house music, amapiano and international collaboration.
The compilation is expected to include previously announced tracks alongside additional songs that have yet to be revealed. This gradual announcement of artists and recordings can build anticipation while giving individual contributors opportunities to introduce their involvement to their audiences. For listeners, the full release will offer a broader view of the project’s musical direction and the range of talent involved. The collaboration between NAE, TAPIWA, Simbai and Dr Feel also demonstrates the potential for artists from different backgrounds to work together within the regional electronic music scene. The final impact of the compilation will become clearer when audiences can hear the complete project and assess how its individual tracks work together.
The involvement of Mansa Musa, a South African record label, places the planned November release within a regional music industry setting that connects artists, producers and audiences across national borders. South Africa and Zimbabwe have distinct but interconnected music scenes, with electronic music providing opportunities for creative exchange. Projects such as Inner Visions can help producers showcase their work while giving vocalists access to new audiences and collaborative networks. For NAE, the release of I Wanna Fly represents another step in a career that has moved from childhood performances to a debut EP, radio-supported singles and an international collaboration with Kerri Chandler. It also offers an opportunity to expand her presence among listeners interested in Afro House and contemporary African electronic music.
As the November release approaches, NAE’s participation in Inner Visions adds further interest to a compilation focused on collaboration and regional musical talent. Her track I Wanna Fly brings together her soulful vocal style with production by TAPIWA, Simbai and Dr Feel, while her previous work demonstrates experience across several contemporary music styles. The project also gives Zimbabwean musicians and producers a platform to present their work as part of a wider Afro House collection. Although the complete tracklist and the full range of contributors remain to be announced, the planned release is creating opportunities for new musical connections. For NAE, joining Inner Visions represents a promising continuation of her artistic development and a chance to reach more listeners across the African electronic music scene and beyond.
