TL;TR
South African singer-songwriter Lordkez has been announced as the latest artist featured in EMERGENT, the global music initiative created by Levi’s® and COLORSxSTUDIOS. Through a new A COLORS SHOW performance and intimate artist profile film, the project positions Lordkez among a select group of emerging artists shaping the future of music and culture.
Details
- Artist: Lordkez
- Program: EMERGENT
- Partners:Levi’s® and COLORSxSTUDIOS
- Format: A COLORS SHOW performance, artist profile film and live events
- Territories: South Africa, Mexico, United States, United Kingdom, France and Japan
Lordkez Joins Levi’s and COLORS EMERGENT Program as South Africa’s Voice of What’s Next
01 June 2026
EMERGENT, the multi-year global music program launched by Levi’s® and COLORSxSTUDIOS, has introduced South African artist Lordkez as its latest featured act. The initiative was created to spotlight emerging artists at pivotal moments in their careers, focusing on musicians who are pushing genres forward and influencing culture through their work.
In a recent announcement, COLORS described Lordkez as one of the artists “shaping what’s next.” As part of the program, she delivers an A COLORS SHOW performance alongside an original artist profile that offers a more personal look into her creative process.
Titled “5:01am”, the film explores what Lordkez describes as the moment “when the noise finally disappears.” The profile follows her through a reflective space between memory and ambition, soundtracked by voice notes from her grandmother and recollections of practising performances in front of a mirror. Rather than focusing on industry milestones, the film centres on the quieter moments that have shaped her artistic identity.
Lordkez joins a global cohort of six artists selected from across Mexico, South Africa, the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Japan. The program launched in April with Mexican folk singer-songwriter Kevin Kaarl, whose A COLORS SHOW performance introduced audiences to new material while setting the tone for EMERGENT’s focus on originality and cultural influence.
What This Means
For Lordkez, the partnership represents another significant international platform at a time when South African alternative and R&B artists are increasingly finding global audiences. For Levi’s® and COLORS, it reinforces a strategy of investing in artists before they become mainstream, positioning both brands closer to emerging cultural movements rather than established commercial success.
The Bigger Picture
South African artists continue to gain visibility through international music platforms that traditionally focused on North American and European markets. Lordkez’s inclusion in EMERGENT reflects a broader shift towards recognising African artists as contributors to global cultural conversations rather than regional success stories. As international brands increasingly look to emerging scenes for authenticity and influence, programs like EMERGENT may become an important pathway for African talent seeking global exposure.
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Share Your Thoughts
What makes an artist truly “emergent” today: streaming numbers, cultural influence, or the ability to create a unique artistic voice before mainstream recognition arrives?
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