FIREBOY DML, JAZZWRLD & THUKUTHELA DROP “IMALI” SINGLE AND OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO, UNITING NIGERIA AND SOUTHERN AFRICA
The highly anticipated collaboration sees Nigerian star Fireboy DML join forces with Lesotho-born producer JAZZWRLD and South African artist Thukuthela as the single and official music video arrive simultaneously.
Johannesburg, South Africa — 22 September 2026: Nigerian singer and songwriter Fireboy DML has officially released his brand-new single “IMALI” alongside its official music video, joining forces with JAZZWRLD and Thukuthela for a powerful collaboration connecting Nigeria with the wider Southern African music landscape.
Produced by JAZZWRLD, “IMALI” blends Fireboy DML’s unmistakable melodic song writing with the rhythmic textures emerging from South Africa’s evolving 3 step, resulting in a record that celebrates collaboration across borders while remaining deeply rooted in contemporary African music.
At its heart, “IMALI” is a reflection on money, ambition and the realities that come with chasing success. The song captures the desire to build a better life while acknowledging the hustle, sacrifice and determination required to get there.
“Southern Africa has an incredible musical energy, and I’ve always admired how its producers and artists continue to shape sounds that travel across the world. Working with JAZZWRLD and Thukuthela on ‘IMALI’ was an organic creative experience — it’s different cultures meeting through music and creating something bigger than borders.”
—Fireboy DML
For JAZZWRLD, the collaboration represents another meaningful step in building bridges through sound.
“Music allows us to connect beyond geography. Creating ‘IMALI’ with Fireboy and Thukuthela was about finding a shared rhythm between our worlds and letting the production speak to Africa, to home.”
— JAZZWRLD
Thukuthela adds that the song reflects the growing influence of African collaboration and the freedom that comes from creating without boundaries.
“This record is a celebration of African creativity. We each brought our own identity into the studio, and the result is something that feels fresh, emotional and represents of how connected our music scenes have become.”
— Thukuthela
Released simultaneously with the single, the official “IMALI” music video brings the collaboration to life visually. Directed by Gabriel OBE, the “IMALI” music video brings the song’s themes of ambition, perseverance and the pursuit of success into a sleek, cinematic visual world.
The video builds on a golden-thread aesthetic that continues the visual language established in Fireboy’s previous work, particularly “CLAAAT.” Black-and-white imagery provides the foundation, while carefully placed red elements seep through the monochromatic frames, creating moments of contrast and visual tension.
“IMALI” also marks another exciting chapter in Fireboy DML’s journey toward his forthcoming project, ZUKO, as he continues exploring new sounds, meaningful collaborations and creative connections across the African continent.
“IMALI” by Fireboy DML, JAZZWRLD and Thukuthela is available now across all major digital streaming platforms, with the official music video also out now.
