Before the fame and lights, before the screaming fans, awards and festival stages, a young boy stood in church, gripping a microphone almost as big as his dreams.
Neezy II, born Naison Ndhlovu, did not discover music — music discovered him.
His journey began on his mother’s side of the family, where sound was a language spoken fluently. Visits to his maternal uncles would prove life-changing. One was a pastor, the other a gifted instrumentalist and music enthusiast. Their home was filled with instruments, melodies and purpose. This was not just exposure; it was destiny quietly taking shape.
"It was Uncle Trent Daka who took my raw passion and moulded it into something powerful. Under his guidance, I became a lead singer in church, learning discipline, vocal control and the spiritual connection that would later become the soul of my music,” the musician told NewsDay Life & Style.
The church altar was his first stage and the congregation his first audience, but the music didn’t stop there.
On his father’s side, music lived in laughter and competition. With cousins huddled together, they searched for lyrics from their favourite artistes.
“I loved P-Square, I would memorise every one of their lines, performing purely for joy."
Still in primary school, Neezy II was already standing out in talent shows, school performances wherever there was a stage, he found his way onto it.
- From church altar to global contender
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Music was not a hobby. It was his first love and as he grew, so did his sound.
Inspired deeply by Mr Eazi, Neezy II began shaping a style that refused to be boxed.
"My style of music has a lot of elements, but the musician that inspired my style of music was Mr Eazi,” he said.
The musician fused Nigerian Afrobeats with Zimbabwean musical roots, creating a sound that felt familiar yet fresh African at its core, global in its reach.
Afrobeats was not just a genre he listened to, it was woven into his childhood, his memories, his identity.
While others watched movies, Neezy II listened. He listened obsessively. Across genres, cultures, and moods.
That hunger made him a student of sound, that curiosity sharpened his artistry.
His dedication extends to performance preparation. Neezy II rehearses consistently, often with his dance crew Afro Dynasty, ensuring every performance is polished and powerful.
His memorable show is the Summer Festival, an event he helped to organise.
“Seeing people come out to support us was overwhelming,”Neezy II recalls.
Despite his rising profile, the road has not been easy. Like many emerging artistes, Neezy II has faced challenges including limited studio time, few performance opportunities and financial constraints for music videos.
“When you’re starting out, promoters don’t want to take risk,” he admits. “You have to work your way up.”
During difficult periods, music became his emotional outlet. He describes it as his diary, one that the public can access.
"Songs like Aye and Fine By Me were written during moments of personal struggle and helped him to navigate emotional lows. Music is therapy,” he says.
Since launching his professional career in 2018 with his debut single Move Like This, Neezy II has steadily built a strong following locally and in the diaspora.
He has collaborated with artistes from Zimbabwe and Nigeria and shared the stage with some of the country’s most respected performers, including Holy Ten, Msiz’kay and Sandra Ndebele, among others.
Looking ahead, the artiste hints at major projects and international collaborations currently in the works, while also planning to host more of his own shows.
His list of dream collaborators includes Takura, Nasty C, Davido, Fireboy DML and Oxlade.
Neezy II remains grounded, crediting his success to family, mentors, producers and creative partners who believed in his vision.
"I would like to thank my uncle Trent and family. They played an important part in my career. The producers that believed in me and a lot of people who have played a part in my career, I want them to feel appreciated,” he said.
The musician’s message to young artistes is simple but firm.
“There is no formula in this industry. Giving up is not an option. Invest in yourself, it pays the best dividends.”
