Venom & Shishiliza are fast becoming key players in introducing new talent to the music industry, with collaboration being the foundation of their artistry. Their ability to seamlessly blend fresh voices with established stars has set them apart, making each release a unique fusion of sounds and perspectives. More than just hitmakers, they are facilitators of creative growth, actively shaping the careers of up-and-coming artists.
The duo, responsible for hits like ‘Sondela’ and ‘Flight Ya Hoseng’, have mastered the art of crafting music that not only resonates with audiences but also provides a launchpad for emerging talent. By consistently working with a mix of rising and seasoned musicians, they ensure their sound remains innovative and ever-evolving. For them, collaboration isn’t just about making music—it’s about fostering careers and giving new artists a real opportunity to break into the industry.
Venom & Shishiliza | SUPPLIED
“We just like making music with new people, new tones of voices,” says Shishiliza. “And also, I think it’s a responsibility to give people opportunities, especially young girls. We did it with our first single, Sho Boy, when we put on Buzzi Lee, who was pretty much
unknown at the time. So, you know, it’s about giving them a platform to shine. And we don’t just leave it there—when we tour, we’re introducing them to promoters, getting them online apps, helping them with their own singles. It’s more than just, ‘we’re using you for your voice.’ We actually play an active role in these artists’ careers to help develop them.”
Their latest love-season single, ‘weSthandwa’, continues this tradition, introducing a fresh new voice—Shannon.
“So, Shannon was introduced to us right as we were really struggling with the second verse of the song. We didn’t know what to do. We’d been reaching out to so many people, but no one seemed to make the time for us,” Shishiliza explains. “And yeah, we just had a session, and Shannon was there. But we didn’t really work on anything—still, we really liked her voice, like, it was really, really good. The next day, we had a discussion, like, ‘Let’s just send her the song and see what she does.’ We sent it to her; I think it was at like one o’clock, and by three o’clock, she sent it back done.”
Shannon’s contribution turned out to be a game-changer for the track. “She solved a lot of our problems; we were struggling with that second verse. So she made our lives very easy,” adds Shishiliza.
Venom & Shishiliza | SUPPLIED
Love remains a recurring theme in their music, a reflection of who they are as individuals.
“We find ourselves at the heart of love as two people who are lovers at heart,” says Venom. “When it comes to our Valentine’s releases, we do try to make love music.”
“With weSthandwa, we took more or less the same route,” he continues. “We have a signature sound and always try to infuse different genres of interest into it. I think now we’re leaning more towards the Maskandi-type songs and music. So that’s the direction we’re headed, but still a blend of different genres.”
Beyond the music itself, Venom & Shishiliza believe that good energy fuels great collaborations, and that energy always reflects in the final product.
“I think it happens naturally,” Venom says. “But I won’t take away the fact that the music is pushed. Shishiliza is very big on TikTok, so he usually takes that route. Sometimes we tease music a lot—whether it’s on social media or in the streets—and we watch the reaction. That tells us how to take it from there.”
Venom & Shishiliza | SUPPLIED
With a catalog of unreleased music ready to go, the duo promises more drops this year, hinting at a new project in the works—their first full-body release since 2022. Their commitment to collaboration remains unchanged, ensuring that their upcoming work continues to introduce and uplift new talent.
Asked who they’d be honored to collaborate with in the future, Shishiliza quickly names Damian Marley. “For me, it most definitely has to be Damian Marley; I listen to him all day, every day.”
Venom, on the other hand, keeps it local, choosing Young Stunna as his dream collaborator.
Their latest love anthem, ‘weSthandwa’, features a powerhouse lineup, including Blxckie, Yumbs, 031CHOPPA, and Shannon. It’s somewhat of a reunion, as they have previously worked with Blxckie, Yumbs, and 031CHOPPA.
As always, Venom & Shishiliza hope this track becomes a soundtrack to South African experiences—just like the many love anthems they’ve given fans before, with many more still to come
