South African singer-songwriter Shaza has joined forces with acclaimed Zimbabwean DJ and producer Young DLC on her new single, “I Will Not Forget” — a vibrant blend of Afro-dance, pop, and heartfelt storytelling. At its core, the track is about gratitude, resilience, and remembering how far you’ve come. This is the latest offering from this Somerset West talent as she follows in the footsteps of her chart-topping hits, ‘Happy’ and ‘Just Hold On’.
The collaboration came together after a moment of serendipity. “I was literally driving from Sedgefield to Knysna, packing up my house, when I heard this track on Algoa FM,” says Shaza. “It featured December Streets and Young DLC — and I just had to know who produced it. I loved the energy, the feel-good vibe. So I stalked him on Instagram, loved his music on Apple Music, and then scraped together the guts to ask if he’d collaborate on something. And he said yes!”
From their very first call, Shaza and Young DLC clicked creatively. “We share the same vision,” she explains. “Young DLC isn’t just a brilliant producer; he’s open-minded and not afraid to push boundaries. We both believe in crossing genres and borders to serve the emotion and intention behind a song. That kind of freedom means everything to me.”
“I Will Not Forget” is rooted in that shared energy — a track that blends powerful production with Shaza’s soulful vocals and her signature use of the African djembe drum. “That drum isn’t just an instrument to me — it’s a voice. It had to be on the track. That heartbeat of Africa layered with Young DLC’s genre-defying production gave the song a bold new sound.”
Lyrically, the track is a tribute to growth. With the hook, “Surely, I will not forget,” it offers a reminder to take stock of the journey and find strength in the past. “It was inspired by those moments where you stop and realise how far you’ve come,” Shaza says. “If there’s no winning today? You try again. This one’s for the dreamers, the go-getters, the people who just keep showing up.”
The single also marks a shift in Shaza’s musical direction — a more grounded, reflective sound wrapped in high-energy Afro-dance pop. “Right now, I’m taking things single by single. I want each release to have its own life. But over time, they’re forming something bigger — a tapestry of stories and sounds.”
Young DLC brings his own powerful legacy to the track. The Harare-born producer is a two-time Coke Studio Africa resident and has worked with artists like Nasty C, AKA, DJ Maphorisa, Mlindo, and Sha Sha. His ability to blend African influence with global production styles makes him the perfect match for this collaboration.
“This song is a reminder to anyone chasing a dream: celebrate how far you’ve come, be grateful, and keep going,” Shaza adds.
The track was co-produced by Daniel Baron, multi-platinum artist and owner of HitKitchen, whose production credits include multiple chart-toppers and three SAMA nominations.
Listen to ‘I Will Not Forget’ below and read more music news here.
