Anica Kiana: South Africa’s Pop Princess Breaks Boundaries with "not the same"

Pop music has always been about reinvention, about artists finding their voice and daring to stand apart. For South African singer-songwriter Anica Kiana, that voice is bold, unshakable, and impossible to ignore. With her new EP 'not the same', Anica solidifies herself as one of the country’s brightest pop stars, proving that her music not only belongs on international playlists but also challenges what pop can sound like in South Africa.

Anica’s story is as dynamic as her songs. She began posting covers on social media as a teenager, and by 2019, she was already making waves with her debut single Chasing, earning radio play and chart success. That same momentum led her into collaborations with some of South Africa’s biggest names, including Locnville and hip-hop titan Nasty C, who famously praised her “voice of gold.” From Electric climbing charts, to her breakout hit Narc Boy cementing her as a force in the pop lane, Anica’s journey has been nothing short of meteoric.

Fast forward to today, and 'not the same' feels like her most daring and personal project yet. The 7-track EP plays like a diary cracked wide open , every song is an anthem, every lyric a confession. What makes it so refreshing is her refusal to be boxed in. Instead of leaning into one genre, she experiments, pulling elements from soft rock, indie textures, and darker shades of pop. The result is a collection that feels raw, expansive, and uniquely Anica.

Tracks like “Little Boy Ego” hit hard with biting honesty, calling out the kind of self-absorption we’ve all witnessed. It’s sharp, clever, and relatable, wrapped in a beat that refuses to be ignored. Meanwhile, “Kiss Me Hard” feels cinematic, the kind of track that belongs in a coming-of-age film, with soaring vocals and hooks that echo long after the song ends. Each record brings something different to the table, but together they flow seamlessly, offering listeners a true journey through her artistry.

Anica’s not just building a career, she’s building a movement. In a country where pop stardom isn’t always the norm, she’s paving the way for a new wave of voices, and she’s doing it with authenticity, edge, and fearlessness. Her nomination for Pop Artist of the Year at the Basadi in Music Awards only proves what fans already know: she’s a trailblazer, and she’s only getting started.

And if her long list of collaborations from Locnville to Nasty C to Kurt April and now Faker Streets, is any indication, Anica Kiana isn’t just playing in the pop lane, she’s leading it.

With not the same, she’s made her boldest statement yet: South Africa’s pop princess has arrived, and she’s here to stay.