There is a softer side to Ace Julz, and his latest release is proof of that.
On Cold, the award-winning rapper and songwriter moves away from the high-energy confidence many have come to associate him with and instead leans into heartbreak, vulnerability and the painful silence that often follows unresolved conflict.
The single, a collaboration with Botswana spoken-word artist Legodile 'Dredd X' Seganabeng, offers listeners a more reflective side of the artist ahead of his upcoming album Msheng' Shabalala.
Listeners who know Ace Julz for his explosive performances and passionate cultural storytelling, Cold may come as a surprise.
The song is moody, introspective and deeply personal, showing that behind the confident performer is an artist who is equally comfortable speaking about pain and emotional uncertainty.
According to Ace Julz, the inspiration behind the song came from heartbreak.
Rather than focusing on blame or dramatic endings, the track explores what happens when people stop communicating with one another and allow resentment to build.
"I want my listeners to know that lack of communication leads to resentment. Something that could have easily been fixed through words becomes difficult to fix if you leave it to chance," he said.
He further mentioned that it is a message that feels both simple and universal. Saying relationships often do not end because of one major event but because of the conversations that never happened, the emotions that remained unspoken and the misunderstandings that slowly create distance between people.
Ace Julz revealed that he wrote the song in a single day before spending another few days refining and editing it.
Recording only happened three weeks later during his first trip to Botswana, a journey that would end up shaping the song in more ways than one.
The Botswana trip itself marked another important milestone in his growing career. Earlier month year, the rapper made headlines after launching a crowdfunding campaign to help finance his participation at the Echoes of the Wild Kasane Weekender in Botswana.
Fans, arts organisations and private supporters rallied behind him, helping turn what initially seemed like an ambitious dream into reality.
The trip opened doors beyond the performance itself. It introduced him to new audiences, meaningful cultural exchanges and important creative connections, including Botswana spoken-word artist Dredd X, with whom he would eventually create Cold.
Representing Eswatini on an international stage remains one of the experiences Ace Julz treasures most.
"It feels amazing to do something bigger than myself. It's a blessing to stand on a stage that's over one thousand kilometres away from the Kingdom and sing or rap in a language no one understands but still feel the love and appreciation from the Batswana people," he said.
While many artists may feel pressure to adapt their sound for foreign audiences, Ace Julz believes his strongest asset remains his identity.
When asked what special element he planned to bring to the Botswana crowd, his answer was simple.
"Siswati is the special element." That response perfectly captures the philosophy that has defined much of his career.
Born and raised in Sphocosini, Ace Julz has become one of the leading voices of Eswatini's contemporary music scene, not simply because of his versatility but because of his commitment to preserving and celebrating local culture through modern sounds.
His music effortlessly blends hip-hop, contemporary African sounds, orchestral influences and R&B while remaining firmly rooted in Swati identity.
Describing his signature 'Langenican' sound, Ace Julz explains it as a Swazi sound that mixes influences from Hip Hop, R&B, Orchestra and African sound put into a blender, and the smoothie that's served is the Langenican smoothie.
The description may sound playful, but it speaks to something much bigger.
At a time when many young artists are chasing international trends, Ace Julz has remained committed to proving that local language, culture and storytelling can travel far beyond Eswatini's borders.
That commitment has earned him significant recognition over the years.
The artist won the prestigious MTN Bushfire Firefly competition, cementing his status as one of the Kingdom's brightest talents.
He has also performed on major stages including MTN Bushfire, the Francophonie Festival and TEDx Gwamile Street, while his work has seen him selected by the Goethe-Institut under the Africa-Europe Partnerships for Culture framework.
Yet despite these achievements, Cold shows an artist who is still willing to expose his insecurities.
The single also plays an important role in the story of his upcoming album, Msheng' Shabalala.
"It expresses a side of me in the album that shows vulnerability. Not all that happens in my life is glitz and glam, but also the moody and gloomy side of it," he explained.
That honesty may end up becoming one of the album's greatest strengths.
Music fans are increasingly drawn to artists who allow themselves to be fully human, and Cold does exactly that.
It reminds listeners that even those who seem confident and successful still experience heartbreak, disappointment and moments of emotional uncertainty.
Away from music, the Botswana trip also gave Ace Julz an opportunity to experience the country beyond the stage.
Among the things he was most excited about were visiting the famous Kazungula Bridge, which intersects four countries, as well as enjoying game drives and boat cruises. He also expressed his desire to one day experience Victoria Falls.
As for musical inspiration, the rapper says he has become increasingly selective about what he listens to these days.
His current playlist includes artists such as Sjava, Saudi, Emtee, Jabulile Majola and Tory Lanez, musicians known for blending storytelling, vulnerability and strong artistic identities.
Looking ahead, Ace Julz's ambitions stretch far beyond Eswatini. This year, he hopes to continue building connections across Southern Africa through collaborations, performances and cultural exchanges that leave a lasting impression.
"I want to touch people's lives in different parts of Southern Africa. Through collaborating with artists from each country I visit, live performances and cultural exchanges that will leave the Ace Julz footprint and aura," he said.
If Cold is anything to go by, that footprint is already beginning to spread.
The single not only introduces listeners to a more vulnerable side of Ace Julz but also highlights the power of collaboration, cultural exchange and staying true to one's roots.
In many ways, it feels like the beginning of a new chapter for the artist, one where confidence and vulnerability exist side by side, for Ace Julz, that may be exactly where the music becomes most powerful.
Stream Cold here: https://open.spotify.com/track/7c3kbXfG4RkTnbntTzeoph?si=40XXDgXcSp2EKG74nF_pyA&utm_source=copy-link
NB: All images are courtesy
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