Will Linley is a South African singer-songwriter and musician from Cape Town who has rapidly established himself as one of the country’s exciting contemporary pop exports.
Known for his infectious melodies, emotionally honest songwriting and energetic live performances, Will creates a distinctive style of contemporary pop that pairs deeply personal lyrics with bright, uplifting production. His songs explore love, heartbreak, growing up, relationships and the complicated emotions that accompany young adulthood.
Raised in a musical household in Cape Town, Will grew up singing alongside his mother and three brothers. He studied classical singing during high school and began writing his own songs at around the age of 16. Although music had always been part of his life, he initially enrolled at Stellenbosch University to study International Business.
During the COVID-19 lockdown, Will began dedicating considerably more time to songwriting. He started sharing snippets of his original music on TikTok, where his engaging personality and relatable songwriting quickly attracted attention.
His breakthrough arrived with “miss me (when you’re gone)”, which went viral online before developing into a major radio and streaming success. The track reached No. 1 on South African radio and achieved Gold status, introducing Will to audiences well beyond South Africa.
The success was followed by his debut EP, kill all my feelings, in 2022 and a growing catalogue of popular releases including “Last Call,” “Tough (The Girls Song),” “Magic,” “Maybe,” “Gracie” and “Cinematic.”
Will’s career quickly expanded internationally. He has toured across Europe, the United Kingdom and the United States, while his festival appearances have included major stages such as Rocking the Daisies, Calabash South Africa and Lollapalooza.
He has also supported prominent international artists, including OneRepublic, while building his own audience through headline performances in South Africa and abroad.
In 2025, Will released his debut full-length album, Don’t Cry Because It’s Over, marking an important evolution in his career. The album expanded the cinematic, coming-of-age pop sound for which he had become known and included tracks such as “Cinematic” and “Up at Night.”
His growing international industry profile was further strengthened in 2025 when he signed a global publishing agreement with Big Machine Music, while continuing his recording career as an Island Records artist.
Despite his increasingly international career, Will remains closely connected to his South African roots. His vibrant stage presence, relatable songwriting and natural ability to connect with younger audiences have made him a particularly strong choice for festivals, youth-focused events, brand activations, major corporate celebrations and contemporary music events.
Career Highlights
- Cape Town-born South African singer-songwriter
- Breakthrough single “miss me (when you’re gone)”
- Achieved No. 1 South African radio success
- Debut EP kill all my feelings – 2022
- Debut album Don’t Cry Because It’s Over – 2025
- International touring across the USA, UK and Europe
- Performed at Lollapalooza
- Performer at Rocking the Daisies
- Performer at Calabash South Africa
- Has supported international act OneRepublic
- Signed to Island Records
- Global publishing agreement with Big Machine Music
- Popular releases include “Last Call,” “Tough (The Girls Song),” “Magic,” “Gracie” and “Cinematic”
- One of South Africa’s emerging internationally recognised contemporary pop artists
