Danilo Acquisto

It’s been over a decade of Sunset Sweatshop, and your favourite indie-pop band is back with a new single, Take A Chance. The heart of the song is simple: sometimes the only way to express yourself is to take a chance and let your actions speak louder than explanations ever could. Ian Roussouw, the lead singer of the band, chats to Danilo Acquisto about their 10th year as a group, how their new body of work is a testament to their passion about music and what fans can expect from them in the coming months.     

In the first episode of Inside The Booth, we sit down with Foreplay, Gremlin and Kane, to get a behind-the-scenes look at the world of DJ culture. From building events and creating spaces for music lovers, to the realities of life behind the decks, they share their journey, insights and what’s really moving the scene right now.

For over a decade, December Streets have become a core part of the DNA of the South African music scene. Back with their latest offering, the new single delivers what the band says is "most honest song to date". Tristan Coetzee, the lead singer of the band, chats to Danilo Acquisto about how the band has never chased superficial things like fame or charts. For them, it’s always been about connection. He shares more about the full album is set for release in October 2026 and what to expect from it. 

In a celebration of love, unity and queer joy, Danilo Acquisto crosses to Rinaldo Felaar to share more about the theme for this year, which is "Ubuntu - I Am Because You Are", and how people can get their tickets for this magical event.

Danilo Acquisto crosses over to Rinaldo Felaar, who is on the ground at Cape Town Pride and chatting to Pride Ambassador, Nkosinathi Sangweni, about what to expect from the event and how people can get involved.

Acclaimed singer-songwriter Matthew Mole has returned with his latest single and music video, “In My Head,” releasing an upbeat, pop-leaning indie-folk offering ahead of his highly anticipated Kirstenbosch concert on Sunday, 8 March. Recorded in a remote cabin in the mountainous, desert region of the Karoo, “In My Head” explores the emotional weight of feeling lost in a world without loved ones. He sits down with Danilo Acquisto and The Hit 30 team to share more about creating the song on his own, in his own, private space, and acoustically performs one of his classics "Take Yours, I'll Take Mine". 

Time Traveller is a new single by Lady Zamar taken from her album, Emperor Eclipse:  Realm 1 - Awakening. Through Time Traveller Lady Zamar accentuates her interpretation of the Afro-Beat sound. Rooted in rich melodies, textured percussions and layered harmonies; doing it the only way that Lady Zamar can do it. She sits down with Danilo Acquisto to share more about what the song means to her and what to expect from her upcoming album. 

Duane Harden, the legendary vocalist and songwriter whose voice defined the golden era of house music, is back. The artist who rocketed from a software engineering job at UPS to debuting at #1 in the UK with Armand Van Helden’s global smash "You Don't Know Me" is once again embracing technology to revolutionise his craft. Harden has teamed up with Soul Healer, his AI creative partner, to release the groundbreaking album Love Letters To Me. He sits down with Danilo Acquisto to chat about how AI has changed the way he makes music and what people can expect from this coming album. 

Joshua Gabriel is a South African pop artist and singer-songwriter recognised for his heartfelt lyrics and crossover sound with an energetic pop feel. He chats to Danilo Acquisto about his pop-rock single, “Wish You Well”, that begins in a place of genuine happiness and emotional ease, reflecting on the comfort of a healthy, loving relationship. He shares more about how as the story unfolds, it acknowledges how past pain and difficult experiences can quietly shape fears and hold us back from fully embracing the present.

South African-born, LA-based producer Vumaala, the stage name of Grammy-nominated multi-instrumentalist and producer Bubele Booi, officially steps out from behind the scenes with the release of his debut single, Show Me, featuring Ré Alissa. Tara Lee chats to Vumaala about his incredible career, which he says is all about allowing himself "to be seen, not just as a producer, but as an artist creating from a deeply personal place.” 

South African songstress Lola Audreys is back with her latest single, Rum and Coke, a hook-filled pop track that fizzes with late-night energy and emotional honesty. She sits down with Danilo Acquisto to chat about how the track was born out of "wanting to capture that in-between time when you are moving from childhood into adolescence” and what's in store for the future. 

South African chart-topping singer-songwriter Carli J Myers has released her latest single, "Mood For You", and it’s attracting international attention with well over 250,000 Spotify streams within its first few weeks of release. She chats to Noni Radebe (who stands in for Danilo Acquisto) about creating music after the birth of her child and how it's change her perspective in terms of songwriting and performing. 

A promise is a promise, and Tara Lee delivered! The last time she spoke to Early B she said she would do an Afrikaans rap for him, and she just so happened to do it on his birthday alongside The Hit 30 team. It was also a double surprise for him, as he became this week’s number 1 with YoungstaCPT on their track “Y?STER”.

South African DJ and producer Otis Wesley returns with his second official release, “Ocean of Love,” featuring the mesmerising vocals of Sarah-Jane Thomas. Rooted in Afrohouse, He chats to Danilo Acquisto about how the track captures the unmistakable spirit of a South African December; sun-soaked days, late-night dance floors, and the emotional freedom that comes with the end of the year. 

South African singer-songwriter Amy Tjasink returns with a big Summer song, “Feels Like Mzansi,” a vibrant re-imagining inspired by the legendary Mango Groove classic, Special Star. The track forms part of a special Gallo Records project that bridges the golden era of South African music with today’s modern sound. She chats to Danilo Acquisto about how the project came into existence and performs one of her original tracks live in studio. 

After celebrating her son's first birthday, the team surprises Amy Jones by welcoming her song, "Nobody", into the top 2. 

Before 2010 Lloyd Cele would never have imagined himself to be one of the South Africa’s most popular artists, speaker and TV presenter. Now, he has released yet another track, "Legends", which he wrote to remind us that greatness isn’t reserved for the famous; it’s built by everyday warriors. He chats to Danilo Acquisto about how the song is inspired by Golden Glove boxers who stand and fight many challenges in life but still rise and continue to fight. 

Renowned for their infectious rhythms and soulful energy, South Africa’s acclaimed house trio Mi Casa return with a sizzling new single, “TER MAIS,” poised to dominate the summer airwaves. He chats to Danilo Acquisto about how the song is about appreciating what you have and realising that having love is already having more and what they have in store for their festive season. 

Born and raised in Cape Town, Nalu is known for her genre-blending sound and her ability to turn womanhood, self-love, and human connection into deeply resonant art. Now, she steps confidently into her pop era with Meteor - a dreamy, empowering single that transforms heartbreak into light. She chats to Danilo Acquisto about reinventing her sound and what fans can expect from her in the future.

Mike Olivier, Business Development Manager For The Western and Eastern Cape, chats to Danilo Acquisto about whether or not South Africans can really buy beds online with confidence. He shares more about different foam mattresses in the industry and what trends Blue Rock makes to contribute to the “future of sleep”. 

Sandhya Naidoo, Operations Manager at Blue Rock Premium Outlet, chats to Danilo Acquisto about why the traditional “firm, medium, plush” way of buying beds is outdated, what makes Blue Rock different from other mattress stores and why people should care about support as much as comfort. 

Finishing off a milestone year, South African singer-songwriter and producer Lee Cole releases his brand-new single, “Palace of Dreams.” He chats to Danilo Acquisto about how he's evolving his sound and experimenting heavily with synth textures and layered vocal harmonies. He also shares more about his end-of-year performances and what fans have to look forward to in the coming months.

Hailing from Johannesburg’s vibrant township of Eldorado Park, Dey Say are redefining what it means to be young, creative and proudly South African. The four - Chadwell Johnson, Leandre Johnson, Elim Solomons, and Joaquin Jardine - aged between 16 and 20, are connected by brotherhood, harmonies, and a shared dream to bring pop music to the forefront of Africa. Solomons chats to Danilo Acquisto about their new single, Calling For You Ringback, which is a reimagined and elevated version of their debut release and sees the group step into an exciting new era. 

Off the back of His first global release and “Back to the Beach” going viral in Europe, multi-award-winning Mzansi artist, Kyle Deutsch, unleashes his single, “Calling”, with Willem Stander. The Durban-born singer chats to Maka Tanga, who stands in for Danilo Acquisto, shares more about this new chapter in his musical career and when we can expect his album. 

South African singer and songwriter Tamaryn is embracing a bold new chapter with the release of her highly anticipated single, “Never Alone”. Marking her first release under her birth name, “Never Alone” blends Afrobeats rhythms and radiant pop melodies with a message that is as spiritual as it is universal. She chats to Danilo Acquisto about recreating her brand, working with Rhyma (who was previously her client when she worked in PR) and what to expect from her in the future.

Durban’s beloved live electronic duo Veranda Panda are back and bolder than ever with their most daring, genre-defying body of work to date. Their brand-new EP, Ascension is out now with lead single Love Today featuring Angel M marking a triumphant evolution in their sound and message. The pair chats to Maka Tanga, who stands in for Danilo Acquisto, about their brand new song, working with Angel M and how they balance married life with their musical endeavours. 

Danilo Acquisto and Delucia Daniels surprise their newest team member, Tara Lee, and her current news presenter, Rinaldo Felaar, with gifts as the crew ushers in a new era on The Hit 30. 

After announcing that Rinaldo Felaar will be leaving The Hit 30 team to take on a new, exciting presenter role at the station, the dynamic and hilarious, Tara Lee, joins the team in his place alongside Danilo Acquisto and Delucia Daniels. 

A bold new voice in Afro-pop has arrived. DAMIN, hailing from Atlantis, Cape Town, has officially stepped into the spotlight with his debut single "WENA DON FEVA". He sits down with Danilo Acquisto to chat about his musical journey, how he's crafting his own path in the scene and what to expect from him in the future. 

Pop sensation Ben Rodrigues is back with his latest single “Homesick” and the release sets the stage for Rodrigues’ upcoming “Homesick” South African Tour this September, his first national run following a successful UK tour earlier this year. He sits down with Danilo Acquisto to share more about how his tour impacted his new music, how he's moving away from the pop music scene and even performs one of this songs live in the studio. 

South African pop artist Britney Meistre celebrates her birthday today with the release of her most intimate single yet, “Rescue”. It also marks the beginning of a new chapter, as Britney announces the upcoming release of her debut EP "25". She chats to Danilo Acquisto about how she wrote the song with musical genius, Lee Cole, and what the releasing her first EP means to her. 

Following the incredible success of her previous single, which dominated major commercial radio charts for over four consecutive weeks, Lady Zamar is back to turn up the heat with her brand-new single, “Show Me,” featuring rising Afrobeats star Fido. She sits down with Danilo Acquisto to share more about her new music, what she has in store for her album (which is being released later this year) and gets a special gift from the team on Women's Day. 

One of South Africa's rising stars, Maxine Ceasar, gets surprised by The Hit 30 team, as they wish her a very happy Women's Day. Her husband, award-winning comedian, also shares a sweet message to his wife ahead of their second wedding anniversary. 

The Hit 30 surprises GoodLuck's, Jules Harding, and wishes her a very happy Women's Day. 

Acclaimed South African singer, producer and performer Robin Pieters returns with his most personal and soul-stirring release yet “September”. More than just a heartbreak anthem, the track is a tender journey through grief, acceptance, and the often painful art of letting go. He sits down with Danilo Acquisto to share more about the song, what he's up to musically and even tells us about his love for lamb curry and rotis.

South African superstar, Will Linley, sits down with Danilo Acquisto to chat about his new single "First Love". He shares exclusive, never-heard-before demos of the track of how it came together and how the song was birthed after Linley experienced his first heartbreak. Producer, Delucia Daniels, also puts Linley on the spot where he tells us all about his first times for everything - all while eating extreme sour sweets!

South African singer-songwriter Shaza has joined forces with acclaimed Zimbabwean DJ and producer Young DLC on her new single, “I Will Not Forget” — a vibrant blend of Afro-dance, pop, and heartfelt storytelling. At its core, the track is about gratitude, resilience, and remembering how far you’ve come. She chats to Danilo Acquisto about her latest offering as she follows in the footsteps of her chart-topping hits, ‘Happy’ and ‘Just Hold On’. 

With Lost My Way, Cape Town artist YOSHE doesn’t just blend genres — he folds them into each other, bends them sideways, and breaks the rules entirely. He sits down with Danilo Acquisto to chat about how the track was written years ago during the height of his success with Grassy Spark (which wasn’t initially meant for public release), how its meaning has evolved from his love for validation into validating his love for the people closest to him and even performs an acoustic version of the track for the very first time. 

Multifaceted South African artist Zinah returns with her brand-new single, “we know”. Known for her deeply honest songwriting and soulful vocals, Zinah delivers a powerful, emotionally charged track that explores the quiet ache of holding on when it’s time to let go. She chats to Danilo Acquisto about carving her own path in the music industry and what fans can expect from her in the future. 

Introducing 19-year-old singer, songwriter, and producer Max More, who steps into the spotlight with his debut single “Stuck on You”. The single was co-produced by renowned South African singer-songwriter and producer Lee Cole, who known for his rich musicality and emotionally resonant sound. He chats to Danilo Acquisto about finding and crafting his own musical journey in the industry and what listeners can expect from him in the future. 

Get ready to feel the heat. Canadian pop royalty Shawn Desman and powerhouse vocalist Jamie Fine have teamed up to deliver what is already being called one of the biggest pop anthems of the year – “BODY”, now officially released to South African radio. The duo sits down with Danilo Acquisto and Delucia Daniels to chat about their chemistry and friendship, and they are put to the test in a game of "What The South African Is That?"

"Pressure" is Kat Newood’s second single of 2025 and a pulsating dance-pop track that speaks to the challenges of navigating the corporate world while holding on to your creative identity. She chats to Celest Anthony, who stands in for Danilo Acquisto, about how she left her job to pursue music and what she has in store for the future. 

Afterthe success of their smash hit Rebel Heart featuring South African superstar Jimmy Nevis, Cape Town’s celebrated duo Acoustic Element returns with a brand-new single, Break of Dawn, teaming up with rising star Andre Graham. The duo chats to Danilo Acquisto about their collab, their approach to songwriting and what to expect from them in the future. 

Danilo Acquisto surprises Maxine Ceasar, as her track "Elixir" makes its way into the top 3 on The Hit 30. 

She’s got one of the most recognisable voices in UK pop right now, but this time, Mimi Webb is doing something she’s never done before: teaming up with another pop powerhouse, Meghan Trainor, on a disco-laced, glitter-punch of a track called "Mind Reader". She joins Danilo Acquisto and Delucia Daniels to share more about her upcoming singles, how she's channeling her inner Mimi to become a performer and plays a quick game of cool fire questions. 

Score composer and music artist, Jason Winde, joins Danilo Acquisto in studio to chat about how his parents surprised him with a meeting with Hans Zimmer and how he created the track "What Would Doris Do?". 

South African alt-pop duo Faker Streets release their emotionally charged new single, “All I Wanted”, a powerful collaboration with rising star Anica Kiana. Driven by raw vulnerability and heartfelt honesty, “All I Wanted” explores the pain of one-sided love and the disillusionment that comes with giving everything to someone who never truly wanted you. The trio sits down with Danilo Acquisto to chat about their collaboration, what's in store for them in the future, and they even play a quick round of "finish the lyric". 

South African artist Skys a Blu returns with Closer, her first single of the year. Formerly known as Kyla Nicole, she’s a Johannesburg-born singer-songwriter whose sound is as fluid and emotive as her journey. She chats to Danilo Acquisto about her musical journey and what to expect from her in 2025. 

CPUT Spokesperson, Lauren Kansley, chats to Danilo Acquisto about what is happening at Open Day and why someone should attend it instead of looking at information online. She also shares more details about the application process for 2026, which opens very soon. 

Melani-Ann Hara, Student Development Officer at CPUT, chats with Danilo Acquisto about The Student Experience at their university. She is also joined by two student ambassadors who give us a first-hand account of what being a CPUT student is like.