Dutch singer-songwriter RANI releases her new single “Tonight”, taken from her second EP, on Friday, 25 September, with a dedicated push to South African audiences who have already made the country one of her biggest organic fan bases. “Tonight” opens dark and intimate before the hooks open up into gospel-tinged choirs. It’s cinematic pop that moves from whispered to euphoric.
Despite never having set foot in South Africa, RANI has found an enthusiastic audience here. Streaming and social audience insights place the country among her top 20 markets worldwide.
She brings substantial international momentum. She has clocked more than 1.5 billion streams as a performing artist and 2.7 million monthly listeners on Spotify, alongside collaborations with David Guetta, Sam Feldt, Jonas Blue and R3HAB.
Many listeners will recognise her voice from “Post Malone”, her global hit with Sam Feldt – Sam Feldt – Post Malone (feat. RANI) [Official Music Video].
The track charted in ten countries, surpassed half a billion Spotify streams and achieved platinum certifications across markets including the UK, US, Sweden, the Netherlands and France.
“To think that someone in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town or Durban is listening to my music and making it part of their day is pretty incredible. I haven’t been to South Africa yet, but the love you’ve shown me makes me feel like there’s already a connection. I’m so excited to share ‘Tonight’ with you, and knowing it will have support on local radio means a lot to me. Thank you for listening, sharing my songs and giving me a reason to feel closer to a place I’ve never been.”
Born Shannon Hilversum and raised in Heerhugowaard, RANI began writing songs at sixteen. Her stage name honours her Surinamese grandmother, Sewrani – a personal connection that sits at the heart of her approach to music. Alongside her international dance collaborations, she has been developing a solo identity rooted in honest songwriting, vulnerability and self-acceptance.
With “Tonight”, RANI is reaching towards a South African audience that is already part of her journey. The release offers an opportunity to deepen that connection and introduce more local listeners to the artist behind a voice heard around the world.
