The world of Afro-pop and amapiano wouldn’t be the same without the unmistakable sound of Buhlebevangeli Hlengiwe Manyathi, better known to fans as Boohle. At just 25 years old, this songstress has already made her mark on South Africa’s music scene, thanks to her distinctive smooth vocals featured on hit tracks like Deep London’s Hamba Wena, Cassper Nyovest’s Siyathandana, and Busta 929’s Ngixolele. Now, Boohle is set to share more of her personal and professional life with fans, starring in the latest season of MTV’s Inside Life reality show, titled Inside Life: City Girls Are Up. The season premieres on February 22, 2025, and will feature Boohle alongside fellow musical artists Bontle Smith and Thee Buhle.
As the music industry is often dominated by male voices, these groundbreaking female artists are shifting the narrative, paving the way for a new generation of women in music. For Boohle, appearing on Inside Life: City Girls Are Up is an opportunity to connect with her fans in a more personal way. The show will give viewers a closer look at her life, with appearances from the people closest to her, including her family and manager.
In an interview with TRUELOVE, Boohle shares how this experience has reminded her of the importance of staying true to herself. “Do not try to be something that you’re not because you’re trying to follow trends or other people’s standards,” she says. “So, it makes me realise once again that it’s very important to just be genuine to yourself, be yourself, don’t lose yourself because now you’ve got cameras in front of your face and you’ve got fame now, people know you.”
She continues, “Just keep on being you, and that’s what people love, that’s what people appreciate, just to be you.”
Boohle’s journey to success was shaped by a childhood immersed in music. Growing up in a household filled with musical talent, it was clear to her that music would play a central role in her life. Although her sisters pursued corporate careers, Boohle took a different path—diving straight into music production and songwriting after finishing high school. It was the perfect step for her, and it seems everything naturally fell into place.
While Boohle’s signature sound is firmly rooted in amapiano, she has always been open to exploring other genres. “Producers have become so versatile,” she explains. “Nobody wants to just be stuck on doing one thing. So, we do record on some Afro songs, on some tribal songs, house songs, and I think that’s where I’m going. I don’t want to box myself in, ever, and I think people are still going to hear a lot from me.” She hints that her future projects will continue to stretch across different genres, including Afrobeats, house, and gqom.
Collaborations also play a key role in Boohle’s music journey. She expresses a strong desire to work with artists such as Pabi Cooper, Sjava, Nasty C, and Focalistic. Having already forged valuable connections within the music industry, Boohle understands the importance of collaboration. “You’ll always need somebody to help, you’ll always need to collaborate with someone,” she says. “So, being belligerent or talking badly about people, maybe you meet someone and you’re like, ‘Ag, I don’t like this one.’ That is not necessary here because we’re all colleagues, we’re all doing the same thing and we need each other.”
Boohle also emphasises the value of maintaining positive relationships in the industry. “If you don’t want to be friends, be acquainted with [them],” she adds.
Her global reach continues to grow as Boohle captivates audiences far beyond South Africa. She has performed in countries like Malaysia and Portugal, with plans for a European tour still in the works despite visa delays. Her passion for music transcends borders, and she’s excited about the way people around the world connect with her soulful sound. “It’s people from all around the world. So, you don’t only just get Portugal, but you get everyone. You get London, you get China, you get India, you get [the U.S.], you get Canada, you get everybody. You get Nigeria, but everyone is there. I can say that was quite amazing to find out that people actually know our music. Worldwide, honey.”
