Pretoria-based musician and performer Phindy Maphendola has officially announced the release of her highly anticipated EP, The Pulse 1: The Journey of Becoming – a deeply personal project that signals a bold new chapter in her artistic evolution.
With this release, Phindy introduces Afro-Pulse, a fresh and self-defined sound developed alongside her creative team. The genre blends Afro-pop melodies with the high-energy drive of dance music, creating space for emotional storytelling and powerful vocal delivery. The result is music that moves both the body and the spirit.
The EP opens with its first single, WENA, featuring Thabiso Thabethe. The track sets the tone for the project, combining infectious rhythm with heartfelt expression – a clear introduction to the Afro-Pulse sound.
Check out the music video for the track below:
A New Chapter Beyond Bacardi for Phindy Maphendola
Widely recognised as a key figure in the Bacardi dance music movement and celebrated for her electrifying performances, Phindy uses The Pulse 1 to expand beyond the genre that first shaped her career.
After nearly a decade in the industry, the EP represents a conscious shift – a decision to follow her instincts, reclaim her identity as a vocalist, and refuse to be confined to a single musical lane.
“Afro-Pulse is the genre I’ve been longing for,” says Phindy Maphendola. “I entered the Bacardi scene as both a singer and a dancer, but deep down I’ve always been more of a singer. With Afro-Pulse, I can finally be myself – free to express my emotions through music.”
The Pulse 1: The Journey of Becoming explores themes of love, loss, loyalty, unemployment, spirituality, forgiveness and hope. The EP moves seamlessly from heartfelt love songs that capture the excitement of new beginnings to raw reflections on hardship and resilience within the South African context.
Each track draws from lived experience, offering listeners both relatability and healing through rhythm and sound.
More than just a collection of songs, The Pulse 1 is a declaration of growth and artistic freedom. It captures Phindy Maphendola’s journey as an evolving artist who remains grounded in her roots, her community and her purpose.
You can stream/download the EP HERE.
With Afro-Pulse, she isn’t just introducing a new sound – she’s stepping fully into her own.
Watch this space for updates in the Music Videos category on Running Wolf’s Rant.
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