Amakhehla
{{Infobox song
| name = Amakhehla
| cover =
| alt =
| type = song
| artist = Sjava, uDumakahle, Anzo featuring Vernotile
| album = Isibuko
| released = {{Start date|2023|01|27}}
| recorded = 2019–2022
| genre = African trap, Afro-pop
| length = {{duration|m=4|s=13}}
| label = 1020 Cartel
| writer = {{hlist|Jabulani Hadebe| uDumakahle| Anzo}}
| producer = Ruff
}}
"Amakhehla" is a song by South African singer-songwriter and rapper Sjava, uDumakahle, Anzo featuring Vernotile from his third studio album, Isibuko (2023). It was written by Jabulani Hadebe, Anzo, and uDumakahle with production handled by Ruff. It was certified Platinum in South Africa.{{cite web|title=Sjava’s latest album receives a certified platinum|access-date=2024-03-13|work=Bona|first=Silindokuhle|last=Booi|url=https://www.bona.co.za/entertainment/sjavas-latest-album-receives-a-certified-platinum/}}
Music video directed by Luthando Sigubudu was released on March 15, 2023.{{cite web|title=Sjava Premieres 'Amakhehla' Music Video|work=South African Hip Hop Magazine|date=2023-03-15|access-date=2023-03-15|url=https://sahiphopmag.co.za/2024/03/sjava-premieres-amakhehla-music-video/
|first=Clive|last=Banda}}
Production and release
The South African singer-songwriter Sjava began work on his third studio album, Isibuko, in early 2018.{{cite web | url=https://sahiphopmag.co.za/2023/03/sjava-reveals-how-long-it-took-him-to-make-the-isibuko-album/ | title=SJava Reveals How Long It Took Him to Make the "Isibuko" Album |access-date=2024-03-13| date=2023-03-06}} For the album's sound, Sjava worked with his frequent producer Ruff and also recruited Jahcool, Vuyo Manyike, Juda Ngwenya, Zadok, Webmoms, and Delayde, as a producer on Isibuko.
"Amakhehla" was the first song Sjava, Anzo and uDumakahle wrote in their collaboration and for Isibuko.
In 2019, Sjava recorded the chorus of the song. After one year later in 2021, Sjava sent a chorus to uDumakahle and recorded his verse on the chorus. Following year Anzo recorded his verse with backing vocals from South African singer Vernotile. In 2022, Anzo verse was re-recorded by Ruff.
In December 2022, Sjava announced Isibuko and its release date. "Amakhehla" is the twelfth track on the album.
Accolades
"Amakhehla" received a nomination for Best Produced Music Video at 30th ceremony of South African Music Awards.
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="border:none; margin:0;"
|+Awards and nominations for "Amakhehla" ! scope="col" | Organization ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Category ! scope="col" | Result ! scope="col" class="unsortable" |{{Abbr|Ref.|References}} |
| scope="row" |South African Music Awards
| South African Music Awards | Best Produced Music Video | {{nom}} |
|---|
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certification for "Amakhehla" }}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=South Africa |type=single|award=Platinum|number=1|relyear=2023|certyear=2024|artist=Sjava, uDumakahle, Anzo feat Vernotile |title=Emakhaya|access-date=March 13, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|noshipments=true|streaming=true}}