Artist Spotlight: Sun-El
In this playful Artist Spotlight, we catch up with Sun-El Musician as he unpacks his latest album Under The Sun. From soulful moments with Manana to respect from Black Coffee and Ami Faku, he shares growth, gratitude, and global groove.
1. Your new project Under The Sun feels like a big chapter in your journey. What inspired the vibe and sound this time around?
Under The Sun came from a place of growth. I’ve evolved, not just as a producer but as an artist all round. I wanted the sound to feel warm, expansive, almost like standing in the light after going through a few storms. There’s depth in it, but also hope. I leaned into emotion a lot more this time — letting the music breathe, letting the stories sit in the chords and the rhythm.
2. How did this second instalment grow from the first one? Were there any surprises along the way?
The first installment of Under The Sun laid the foundation & set the expectation for what's to come. The second installment just finished what I started. This body of work feels more intentional. I took more risks sonically, collaborated with different voices, and trusted my instincts more. The surprise was how naturally everything came together. Sometimes you plan too much, but this one flowed in a very organic way. Including the timing of it all.
3. I’ll Be There For You has such a soulful, heartwarming energy. What was the story behind creating this track?
That song is about presence. It’s about showing up, not halfway, not when it’s convenient but fully. I wanted it to feel comforting, almost like a promise wrapped in melody. It’s one of those records that carries a personal truth for me, and Manana knew how to meet me there sonically which completed the record perfectly.
4. How did collaborating with Manana bring the song to life? Any funny or memorable studio moments?
Working with Manana was special because he understands emotion. He doesn’t just sing lyrics, he feels them. In the studio we didn’t overthink it. There was a moment where we just sat quietly after a take because the energy felt right, that’s when I knew we had something. It was less about chasing perfection and more about capturing honesty in a song.
5. Your music mixes African roots with global dance energy so seamlessly. How do you keep it authentic while pushing the sound forward?
I stay rooted. The beats, the storytelling, the spirit, the artists I collaborate with — that’s home. From there, I experiment. I’m inspired by global sounds, but I never lose the African heartbeat. Authenticity comes from knowing who you are. Once you’re grounded, you can explore freely, and lucky for me, I understood my sound and it's gotten me this far.
6. You have a golden ear for discovering talent. What do you look for when deciding to work with someone new?
Truth be told, I don't always know what exactly I'm looking for, however if I had to describe it - I look for honesty in their voice or their production. Skill can be developed, but sincerity can’t be faked. If I feel something when they perform or play me an idea, that’s enough for me. When I know, I just know.
7. What has been the most surprising or humbling moment seeing your music connect with fans around the world?
Hearing crowds in places far from home sing melodies that were created in my studio is always humbling. It reminds me that music really doesn’t have borders. That connection is bigger than me and I just love to see it.
8. Artists like Black Coffee, DJ Lag, Ami Faku, and Chronical Deep have shown support for your work. How does it feel knowing your music has such respect among peers?
Respect from artists like Black Coffee, DJ Lag, Ami Faku and Chronical Deep means a lot to me because they understand what this journey really takes. the long nights, the risks, the sacrifices people don’t always see. When your peers, especially those who’ve inspired you along the way, acknowledge your work, it feels like a quiet affirmation that you’re walking in purpose. It also reminds me to do the same for others. I believe in giving new talent their moment, their nod, when it’s their time. Each of my peers inspires me differently, and I’m grateful not only to learn from them, but to stand alongside them, and, in my own way, inspire too.
9. You’ve done a lot of collaborations over the years. What makes a partnership really click for you in the studio?
Energy. If the energy is right, everything else follows. There needs to be mutual respect and space for everyone to contribute freely. The best sessions don’t feel forced, they just feel like conversations through sound.
10. Your music hits differently live. How do you decide which songs to bring out on stage and how to play them for the crowd?
I read the room. Every crowd is different. Some nights you go deeper, some nights you lift it higher. I choose songs that tell a story but also allow me to move with the energy in real time, and as an artist that has been doing this music thing for as long as I have, I just know what moves a crowd haha.
11. What can fans expect from your shows and festival performances? Any wild or unforgettable memories from the road?
They can expect emotion, rhythm, and moments. I always want people to leave feeling like they experienced something, not just heard it. There have been so many unforgettable nights, especially when the crowd sings back louder than the speakers. Those are the moments that stay with me.
12. You’ve said I’ll Be There For You is about showing up fully. How does that message reflect your own life?
It reflects my journey. I’ve learned that being present — for family, for friends, for the music — is everything. Success means nothing if you’re not truly there for the people and the calling placed on your life, however that looks like for you.
13. How do you stay inspired and creative after achieving so much success? Any rituals or little habits that keep the ideas flowing?
I stay curious. I listen more than I speak. Sometimes I’ll sit in the studio with no pressure to create a hit, but just to feel. Inspiration comes when you remove the noise and reconnect with why you started. However living in your passion helps too. I love what I do, and I'm eternally grateful on most days that I get to live in my wildest dreams and that makes it hard to not remain inspired. My everyday life keeps me inspired to create.
14. Looking ahead, what sounds or collaborations are you excited to explore next?
I’m excited to explore even more live instrumentation, maybe blend more unexpected genres while keeping the soul intact. I’m always open to collaborating with artists who bring something fresh and honest to the table and who are honestly just as eager as me to create.
15. When people listen to Under The Sun from start to finish, what feelings or vibes do you hope they take with them?
I hope that every person who listens finds something that belongs to them in the music. I hope they feel seen, understood in their own way. Most importantly, I hope they feel light when they press play, like no matter what season they’re walking through, there’s always a bit of sun waiting for them.
And beyond that, I hope they feel the gratitude in it all. The gratitude that I get to share some of my most personal moments through sound, and that those moments are received by every ear the music reaches.