Toya DeLazy spent 2012 dishing out her edgy mix of rap, jazz, pop and funk.

Toya is a welcome breath of fresh, neon-coloured air.

South African fans cannot get enough of the nerd glasses, bright colours and braided mohawk.

Born in KwaZulu-Natal, Toya (real name Latoya Buthelezi) is the daughter of Inkatha Freedom Party leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi and the granddaughter of Princess Magogo, a traditional Zulu composer.

Avoiding politics, she chose to follow in her grandmother's footsteps and studied classical jazz piano.

A Sony scout heard a demo she uploaded onto Myspace and signed her to the label.

Her debut album, Due Drop, received critical acclaim, and its second single 'Love Is In The Air' charted at number one.