COLORSxSTUDIOS and Levi’s® announced South African singer-songwriter lordkez as the next featured artist in EMERGENT, the multi-year global music program designed to spotlight emerging artists at defining moments in their creative journeys. Marking the program’s spotlight on South Africa and introducing her world to a global audience, lordkez’s A COLORS SHOW was released on June 1(Yesterday).
Born in Kimberley, South Africa while moving across borders, lordkez has built a reputation as one of the most compelling voices in contemporary African R&B. Her 2023 album Testament – which earned her a South African Music Award for Best RnB/Soul Album and most recently her radio chart topping single “Aweh” – helped define her as an artist of emotional depth, sonic range, and a clear artistic point of view. Her blend of soul, R&B, and introspective songwriting, alongside collaborations with artists like, Bas, Shekhinah, Jelani Blackman & Cassper Nyovest, has positioned her as a standout voice within a new generation of globally minded African artists.
Her A COLORS SHOW performance, produced in partnership with Levi’s® and filmed at COLORSxSTUDIOS in Brooklyn, NY, features the debut of a new song “Wena Fela,” offering a first glimpse into her upcoming album. The performance is accompanied by two original artist profile films. The first, titled “Side A / Side B,” presents a non-linear portrait shaped by two moods chosen by lordkez – one internal, one external – bridging her world across music, identity, and style while exploring the stories and personal objects that have defined her. The second film, “5:01,” captures a moment from her day at 5:01AM, a nod to Levi’s most iconic denim fit: the 501®. Through this lens, the film explores intimate topics on music, becoming, and identity.
“The journey in discovering my personal identity has happened through my greatest passion, which is making music,” said lordkez. “I found myself becoming more of myself with every new step I took. I still feel I am on that journey right now so being recognised within EMERGENT as a voice that represents where I come from on a global scale is a huge honour for me and I am so excited about being part of this.”
“lordkez, who moves on her own terms and meticulously crafts sounds that look forward and ahead, represents exactly the kind of artist EMERGENT was built for,” said Les Green, Senior Director, Collaborations and Music Partnerships Marketing at Levi’s. “Alongside the incredible COLORS team, we’re proud to shine a light on her music and her individuality as an artist.”
Lordkez is part of a phased rollout of six artists across Mexico, South Africa, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Japan, each given their own dedicated spotlight window within the EMERGENT program. Additional artists from New York, London, Paris, and Japan will follow through the rest of 2026.
Follow the EMERGENT program on the @COLORSxSTUDIOS YouTube channel and @levis Instagram and TikTok.
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