Interview with Karabo: Exploring Love, Afro-Soul and His New Single ‘Only 4 U’
South African singer-songwriter Karabo is entering a new chapter with ‘Only 4 U’, his latest single following the release of his third studio album, Songs About You. Blending Afro-Soul with contemporary R&B influences, Karabo continues to explore the complexities of love, vulnerability and commitment while expanding his reach towards international audiences. Created in collaboration with Tinashe and Tineke, ‘Only 4 U’ captures the intimacy of letting someone into your world completely, pairing electronic production with a smooth, modern TrapSoul sound. Since winning Idols South Africa Season 11, Karabo has built an impressive career, collaborating with acclaimed artists Bebe Winans and Anthony Hamilton and becoming the first African artist to create a theme song for Disney Africa’s The Lion Guard. Now forging his own path as an independent artist, he is embracing new creative possibilities while staying true to his South African roots. We caught up with Karabo to discuss the story behind ‘Only 4 U’, the evolution of his sound, the importance of artistic independence and his ambitions for the future.
1. Your new single, ‘Only 4 U’, explores vulnerability, loyalty and letting someone fully into your world. How personal was the writing process, and did putting these feelings into a song change the way you think about love and commitment?
It has definitely influenced the way I see love and commitment. For me, loving someone means choosing to show up for them, even when things aren’t always going the way you expect. I’ve come to understand that love isn’t always about what you get in return, but also about what you’re willing to give without expecting everything to be reciprocated immediately. Sometimes, people need time to grow, understand each other, and learn how to love each other better. I believe that as long as two people are willing to put in the effort, they’ll eventually find their rhythm.
2. The track came together in the studio with Tinashe and Tineke. How did that collaborative process unfold, and what was it about the original instrumental that made you feel it was the right foundation for the song?
Working with Tineke and Tinashe has been such an amazing experience. They’re both incredibly talented, and I think we have a really natural chemistry when it comes to making music. When Tinashe played the instrumental, Tineke and I instantly fell in love with it. We started talking about what the song should be about and the feeling we wanted to capture. Tineke really understood what I was trying to express, both lyrically and musically, and that made the whole process feel so natural.
3. You’ve described Tineke’s guide vocal as “phenomenal”. How did hearing her interpretation influence your own performance, and what do you think each of you brought to the final track?
Tineke is an incredible vocalist, and having her vocal guide made the process so much easier for me. It helped me find my own way into the song and add my personality to it without losing the feeling we were trying to create. After that, we started layering our vocals, and I think you can really hear the magic of that in the chorus. It was beautiful seeing how everything came together.
4. Your third studio album, Songs About You, explores love, memory, vulnerability and human connection through your Afro-Soul sound. How does ‘Only 4 U’ build on those themes, and where do you feel your sound is evolving next?
I feel like my sound is naturally moving towards a more Neo-Afro-Soul direction, and ‘Only 4 U’ is a really good reflection of that. It’s the kind of music I’ve been gravitating towards, and I feel like it allows me to express myself in a way that feels honest and true to who I am as an artist.
5. You first rose to prominence after winning Idols South Africa Season 11, and you've since collaborated with artists such as Bebe Winans and Anthony Hamilton. Looking back at your journey, how has your understanding of yourself as an artist changed, particularly now that you're working independently?
Honestly, everything I’ve experienced over the years has played a part in shaping the artist I am today. I’ve learned a lot, not just about making music, but also about myself and how I want to approach my career. Now that I’m independent, I have a much clearer idea of the sound I want to create and the kind of brand I want to build. I feel like I understand myself better as an artist, and I’m finally in a position to be more intentional about where I want to go.
6. Your music draws on South African musical identity while embracing contemporary R&B influences associated with artists such as Giveon, Lucky Daye and Leon Thomas. How do you balance those influences with your own cultural roots to create a sound that feels distinctly Karabo?
It’s honestly a huge honour to be mentioned alongside artists like Lucky Daye, Giveon, and Leon Thomas because they’re artists I genuinely admire and have drawn inspiration from. When I make music, I always try to stay true to my own sound and vocal tone, even when I’m experimenting with different genres. I think one of the most important things as an artist is having an identity that people can recognise. I’d like to believe that people who’ve listened to my music over the years can still hear a song and know it’s me, regardless of the direction I take musically.
7. With ‘Only 4 U’, you're continuing to push towards audiences in the UK, US and beyond. What do you hope international listeners discover about South African music and your own artistic identity through this new chapter?
I hope people discover that, as an African artist, I can make music that connects with people all over the world while still being true to myself and where I come from. I want to show that you can create music with a global appeal without losing your identity. I also hope to inspire other African artists to be bold, experiment, and not feel limited in what they can create. One of my biggest dreams is to perform in the US and Europe, stand on a stage, and hear people singing my songs back to me. More than anything, I want to make my parents proud and give them moments they can look back on and feel happy about.
8. From winning Idols South Africa to creating music for Disney Africa's The Lion Guard and now building your independent career, you've experienced some remarkable milestones. What's the next ambition you're most excited to pursue, and what would you love the next chapter of Karabo's journey to look like?
I have so many dreams for my career. I want to go on a world tour, win a Grammy, and work with some of the most talented musicians and producers in the world. I want to keep growing, keep learning, and see just how far I can take my music. Ultimately, I want to create music that means something to people, connects us regardless of where we come from, and leaves a lasting impact.
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