The Rise of Minollar: A Powerful Voice from the Garden Route Shaping the Sound of Gqom
Born Ibanathi Samantha Kanzli in the coastal town of Knysna, Western Cape, the South African singer and vocalist known professionally as Minollar is rapidly cementing her place in the music industry.
A proud graduate of the University of Fort Hare, Minollar’s musical journey began at the tender age of 10.
She honed her exceptional vocal talents within church groups and school choirs, developing a powerful artistic foundation that would eventually propel her onto the national stage.
Her true breakthrough came after winning a local singing competition, a pivotal moment that officially kickstarted her professional music career.
Minollar quickly made waves with her initial professional steps, collaborating with the decorated Gqeberha-based artist DJ SK.
Their joint 2019 single, Luzalise, accumulated over 1 million views within its first year, serving as a definitive announcement of her arrival in the industry.
Driven by a desire to build strong creative chemistry and establish meaningful relationships with fellow artists, Minollar eventually transitioned into the vibrant world of Gqom, establishing a highly successful collaborative partnership with Cairo CPT.
Together, they have released a string of hits that have earned multi-million streams across digital platforms and YouTube.
Among her most notable collaborative tracks are Izigqibo Zakho 2.0 (exceeding 3 million views) and Dribly (exceeding 2 million views). Her versatile talent has also led her to work with esteemed producers such as 2point1, Exclusive Drumz, and DJ TPZ.
As a solo artist, Minollar has proven to be equally formidable. Under her own name, she released the popular singles Yizo Yizo and Ndiyacela.
She further expanded her discography with her debut EP, Love, Loss & Gqom, which features guest appearances from prominent names like Assertive Fam, Jay R Ukhona, and Cairo CPT.
Whether performing in energetic public spaces or connecting with listeners online, Minollar continues to receive unconditional love from a rapidly growing fanbase as she shapes the contemporary sound of South African electronic music.
