Alem Kabuya: How I put a Spell on Uuuu

"I just want to leave a mark that says I was here. Alem Kabuya was here."

Some artists find music. For others, music finds them. For South African rising star Alem Kabuya, it was a mix of both. What started as casual experimentation with GarageBand on a secondhand iPhone turned into a journey of sound, self-expression, and soulful freestyling that now spans singles, an album, and an upcoming EP.

Humble Beginnings

Alem didn’t grow up steeped in music. In fact, it wasn’t until he was about 13 or 14 — when he finally got a Spotify subscription — that he really started exploring his own taste. Early inspiration came from a friend, Xev, who was already uploading music to SoundCloud. Watching a peer take creative risks pushed Alem to believe he could do the same.

By 17, he was recording songs he felt were worthy of release. And while he wasn’t classically trained, he had something just as valuable: instinct.

From Math Class to Battle Rap

Before studio sessions, Alem honed his craft in the back of his school’s math class, battle-rapping with a friend. Those moments, wild and spontaneous, laid the foundation for how he works today.

"How I make music is just through freestyling, constant freestyling."

Even now, Alem often starts with a beat, lets the vibe speak, and shapes his songs in real time. While he's grown more patient and refined in his process, the essence of improvisation remains at the core.

Signature Tracks & Recommendations

When asked what songs new listeners should start with, Alem suggests three:

• "Tonight" – The intro track off his debut album Kabuya, and the most accessible.

• "Spell On Uuuu" – A hard-hitting lyrical gem with tight verses and a memorable hook.

• "Lonely Night's Interlude" – A deep cut, underappreciated but full of heart.

He also has love for "Long Live Lumumba", one of his personal favorites, and "Sunset/Moonshine/Sunrise", a three-part track that’s earned surprising traction on Spotify.

Influences That Shaped the Sound

Musically, Alem draws from a wide pool. His biggest inspirations include:

• Mac Miller – Especially the album Swimming, which inspired his current sound direction.

• Earl Sweatshirt – For lyrical flow and production choices.

• Shoka Sunflower – A South African artist who gave Alem permission to be different.

• Xev – More than a friend, a mentor. Xev taught him mixing, collaborated on songs, and helped shape his early career.

Collaborations and Community

His track Tonight also features Talicia, a rare feature that came together after months of planning. Alem admits he doesn’t know many female artists, but Talicia stood out as a trusted collaborator and friend.

He's also closely connected to other local artists like Daniel Zway and praises their work for its quality, determination, and impact. From Daniel’s people skills to Talicia’s production quality, each friend pushes Alem to level up.

Songs He Loves From His Circle

When it comes to the music of his friends, Alem lights up. He's quick to name his favorites:

• From Xev, it's Good Girl, a smooth, soulful track that Alem describes as "just perfect."

• From Daniel Zway, he highlights When We're Kissing, an alternative-leaning track with rich guitar work and an air of emotional depth. Alem recalls looping it for a week straight after it dropped.

• From Talicia, he points to Just Got Paid, off her album Osmosis, praising the pitched-down vocal production and the crisp quality of her mixing.

Each song isn’t just a favorite — it’s a benchmark. The creativity, determination, and polish his friends bring to their art continues to inspire Alem’s own work.

A Message to the World

At the heart of Alem's artistry is a message:

"If you want something, do it. By all means possible. Leave no doubts. Leave a mark."

For Alem, that mark is his music. His upcoming EP Puppy drops on 2 May 2025, leading into his next full-length album, Dog. And while he has unreleased music sitting in the vault, he’s focused on crafting something worthy of his journey so far.

Whether he’s rapping about abstract ideas or real-life emotions, Alem’s goal is simple — to be remembered. To be felt.

Alem Kabuya was here.