Thapelo Esau is marking a new moment in her career with the release of her latest single “Drive”, a reimagined take on the classic by Incubus.
Image: Supplied
Thapelo Esau is stepping into a new chapter with her latest single, a reimagined version of “Drive” by Incubus.
Known for her grounding in R&B and gospel, the singer uses this release to explore new musical territory while telling a personal story about growth, fear and self-belief.
Revisiting “Drive” began as a creative decision with her team.
“We wanted to explore different genres and tap into new spaces as an artist,” she said.
“I have always been rooted in R&B and gospel, but I have never wanted to be boxed in. I believe in growing, experimenting and allowing music to evolve with you.”
As the process unfolded, the track took on deeper meaning.
“It became a lot more personal than I expected,” she explained. “I realised how deeply I relate to its message.”
For Esau, the song reflects a period in her life where fear held her back.
“For a long time, I allowed fear of judgment and fear of not being received well to hold me back from fully pursuing music the way I knew I wanted to.”
That realisation pushed her to make a shift.
“At some point, I had to make a decision to stop letting fear take the wheel and start choosing myself,” she said.
“That shift has been liberating. It hasn’t been about instant success, but about embracing the journey and growing through it.”
The message of “Drive” aligned with where she is now.
“It reflects exactly where I am in my life, stepping into my purpose, taking control of my path, and owning my story,” she said.
“It is personal, but it is also something I think a lot of people can relate to.”
While the song carries her voice, Esau is clear about the importance of respecting the original.
“Honouring artists who came before us is essential because nothing exists in isolation,” she said. “Every sound and every genre is built on something that existed before it.”
She pointed to artists like Luther Vandross and Whitney Houston as examples of how to strike that balance.
“They held onto the emotion and essence of the original while still making it feel their own,” she said.
For her version of “Drive”, that balance came through her sound and delivery.
“We leaned into a more jazzy, R&B-influenced sound, which reflects my musical DNA,” she explained.
“My phrasing, my tone and the way that I interpret lyrics come from who I am as an artist.”
The creative process began with the instrumental.
“Once we had that foundation, we revisited the original to understand the structure and emotion behind it,” she said. From there, the production took shape naturally.
“We began building around the production, layering textures and allowing the sound to guide the direction.”
The result is a softer and more emotive take on the song.
“It evolved organically in the studio, and that is when we knew we had something,” she said.
“Vocally, I was very intentional. It was about phrasing, dynamics and restraint, letting the track breathe so the emotion could come through.”
Esau wanted the song to feel intimate.
“I wanted it to feel like a conversation rather than a performance,” she explained.
At the same time, she remained focused on preserving the core message.
“Drive is about taking control of your life and not allowing fear to lead you, so even with the changes that had to remain.”
Beyond the sound, the artist hopes the track connects on a deeper level. “Music has always been a source of healing for me,” she said. “My intention is for it to do the same for someone else.”
She hopes listeners take away a sense of courage.
“I hope people walk away feeling a sense of self-trust,” she said. “Fear can keep you stuck, unable to fully step into who you are meant to be.”
For Esau, the song represents movement and growth.
“This song reminded me to trust the process, to grow and to allow myself to evolve,” she said. “If my interpretation can make someone feel seen or even just a little bit braver, then I have done what I set out to do.”
Looking ahead, she sees 2026 as a year of expansion.
“It feels exciting and aligned for me,” she said. “I did not put pressure on myself with strict expectations. I wanted it to feel natural and guided.”
She plans to continue building her catalogue.
“I have always envisioned myself as an artist who gives a full experience, not just a moment,” she said. “I want to step on stage and take people on a journey.”
Visual storytelling is also a focus.
“This year is about visuals, bringing the music to life in a more complete way,” she said.
She is also open to collaboration. “There are a few dream collaborations I have in mind, and I would love to see those come to life.”
Born and raised in Vosloorus in the East Rand of Johannesburg, Esau’s journey began in church at the age of eight.
Surrounded by harmonies, she discovered her voice early. Today, she continues to draw from those roots while shaping a sound that reflects both her influences and her growth.