Each year, the MTN Bushfire Firefly competition discovers some of Eswatini’s most promising new talent and in 2025, Ace Julz emerged as a standout. Now, after securing his place as one of the top three finalists, he’s stepping onto one of the festival’s biggest platforms: the iconic Firefly Stage, fulfilling a vision he manifested years ago.
We had the chance to speak with Ace Julz about his journey leading up to this moment, diving into how he carved his path to the Firefly stage and what fans can expect from his upcoming performance.
Q. For those who may not know you yet, who is Ace Julz and how did your journey in music begin?
A. Originally known as AC3 JU1Z, I rebranded to Ace Julz for better Search Engine Optimization but the name still holds deep meaning. Let me break it down;
A.C.E J.U.L.Z.
- A stands for Andzile (my first name)
- C is for Cool, Calm, Collected, Creative, and Consistent
- E is a flipped 3, adding a unique twist
- J.U.L is from July (I was born on the 31st), with the L originally being a 1
- Z comes from Mabuza, my last name
So in essence, I’m Andzile Mabuza, a calm, creative soul born in July. My music journey began at just 14 years old when I recorded my first track using a laptop mic and black Nokia earphones. I went in on a DJ Drama instrumental featuring 2 Chainz, Meek Mill, and Jeremih. That was the spark that lit the flame.
Q. You wear many hats — singer, rapper, songwriter, producer, beat-maker. How do you balance all these roles creatively?
A. They all work together. It’s less about balancing and more about blending. Each role feeds into the other, allowing me to fully explore my creative spectrum. Whether I’m producing or writing, everything aligns toward creating something powerful and authentic.
Q. You were named one of the top three winners of the 2025 MTN Bushfire Firefly Competition — congratulations! What was that experience like?
A. Thank you! If you were at the Grand Finale, you’d have seen how composed I looked but inside, I was jumping like a kid in a candy store. The overall Grand Finale experience was a whirlwind of emotions. I may not always show it, but that moment meant the world to me.
What can fans expect that’s different from your Firefly performance? Pure energy. That’s what I’m bringing, nothing less.
Q. How would you describe the sound and message of Ace Julz?
A. At my core, I’m Hip Hop but within that, I tap into different sub-genres like trap, boom-bap, and rage. Thanks to my vocal range, I’m also genre-fluid. I don’t box myself in. My sound is versatile, and my message is honest: I tell stories of love, hate, failure, hope, and triumph. I want my listeners to feel empowered to embrace their uniqueness.
Q. You’re about to hit the stage at one of Africa’s most celebrated festivals. How are you feeling heading into Bushfire 2025?
A. Funny enough, I was scrolling through my IG and saw a post from two years ago, it was me pointing at the Firefly Stage with the caption: “Manifesting the Firefly Stage.” Now here I am, performing on that exact stage. I got emotional realizing the power of focused thought and manifestation. It’s surreal.
Q. What can fans expect that’s different from your Firefly performance?
A. Pure energy. That’s what I’m bringing, nothing less.
Q. You’re also a brand ambassador for Mswenko Culture. How does fashion and personal style play into your music persona?
A. They say, “Dress the way you want to be addressed,” and I live by that. I choose pieces that reflect versatility. I don’t want to be the guy you can spot as a rapper from 15 meters away. I want you to wonder: Is he a businessman? A fashion model? A creative director? Style is part of the mystery and the message.
Q. What’s next for Ace Julz in 2025, any new releases or projects?
A. Plenty! I’ve got a fully recorded solo EP waiting in the vault, plus an Emalangeni EP coming soon. After Bushfire, I’ll be shooting the “For The Kulture (Remix)” video with Wassabee. As for who’s on the remix, pull up to the set and find out for yourself!
Q. You recently released “EMALANGENI _ SAY IT.” What inspired the track, and what does it mean to you?
A. Love. That song is one of the most beautiful love stories I’ve ever told in music. I’m proud of how I blended R&B with African sounds, weaving between English and Siswati. It’s smooth, emotional, and authentic. Definitely one of my proudest creations.
Q. What’s something people don’t usually know about you outside of music?
A. Most people don’t know I come from an agricultural background. So don’t let the clean face or English accent fool you, I’ve worked the fields. Come to think of it, maybe that’s why I never gain weight.
Q. How can fans connect with you and stay updated?
A. Follow me on all platforms @iamacejulz and subscribe to our YouTube channel, Emalangeni Music Group. Let’s connect and keep the movement growing!
