Maskandi legend Ihhashi Elimhlophe returns to Gallo Record Company to release new music after many years. The label with whom he shares a history spanning four decades, first released his albums as early as 1984. Just in time for the festive season, he now unveils two new singles titled “Inkuzi” and “uJehova (Revisit).”

"Inkunzi" fuses maskandi with electronic elements, notably the log drum popularized by amapiano, without fully adopting the genre. The song is a call to leaders to prioritize unity and peace, drawing inspiration from the Zulu proverb: "Iinkunzi embili mazilwa, kulimala isibaya" (when two bulls fight, the kraal suffers). The kraal is a sacred symbol central to most African pastoral communities and customs. The bull, a symbol of wealth and power.  

"uJehovah (Revisit)" is about the existence and proof of a Higher Power, reflecting Ihhashi's spiritual journey as a church elder. It's a dance-inspired reimagining of a song that first appeared on Ihhashi's 2019 album, Ama Waza Waza, featuring singer Ntombee, one-fourth of the late ‘90s teenage group Amaponi, and also Ihhashi’s daughter.

Ihhashi continues to guide and comment on society, and both songs showcase his distinctive style of blending the maskandi genre with other contemporary sounds, complete with his signature izihlabo (guitar intro style) and his chopper style izibongo (maskandi “raps”).

His return to Gallo also sees the return of his prestigious catalogue and that of his family company IHH Movement, to be housed under the Gallo label. They include albums by his business partner and wife Dr Linah “Ebony” Ngcobo (née Khama), Amaponi and new releases from their multi-province talent search efforts.