Singer, songwriter, arranger, and producer Syleena Johnson is the daughter of unsung soul and blues great Syl Johnson ("Different Strokes," "Is It Because I'm Black"). Johnson's soulful rasp, reminiscent of old-school R&B singers, set the tone for her confessional songs. Her first recordings appeared on a 1995 album of duets with her father, but she made her proper debut in 1999 with Love Hangover, which featured covers of Diana Ross' "Love Hangover" and Womack & Womack's "Baby I'm Scared of You."
World renowned trumpet and flugelhorn legend, Hugh Masekela returns with a fiery 44th album entitled ‘No Borders’. Encompassing socio-political commentary, solid dance floor grooves and tender love songs, the 16 tracks move effortlessly through continental styles taking in Nigerian Afro-Beat, Congolese Kwassa Kwassa and South African Masqandi.
Jazz legend Lesotho-born vocalist Tshepo Tshola 'The Village Pope' has hailed the amount of talent seen in Botswana musicians. The prolific musician will be performing at the Marula Festival 2016.
Mafikizolo is an Afro-pop group/band from South Africa. It is made up of lead singer/composer Nhlanhla Sibongile Mafu Nciza and songwriter/composer/singer Theo Kgosinkwe. Their music is also influenced by kwaito and they have been credited with a genre called Kwela after their style of music. It has been described as kwaito-cum-marabi house music. Their music deals with pertinent social issues such as women and children abuse, poverty, the importance of education and the dangers of casual sex. They have performed all over Southern Africa and have a fan base all over the world.
One of the most exciting and controversial bands to come from the streets. B.O.P has a style that appeals largely to the youth, from their lyrics “O kae molao" (where’s the respect) in the street lingo, to dress which is contemporary hip hop. BOP has attitude, are rebellious and survivors. They surf the crime wave by intriguing their audience with constant message of respect towards their fellowmen that is always strongly projected. They are a true representation of the youth culture today.
The 24-year-old Khutso Steven Kgatle, born in Mokgoloboto village in Tzaneen, Limpopo, dropped out of school in Grade 8 after a tiff with one of the teachers. He had already made up his mind that he would pursue music. The bug had bitten, largely thanks to his uncles who were in a band playing guitar and drums. His latest hit, Ska Bhora Moreki, has propelled him into a league of dance music stars who have become revellers' favourites and a crowd puller at concerts.
Shangaan disco superstar Penny Penny‘s pillar of 90s South African dance-pop is seeing new life as Awesome Tapes From Africa‘s latest reissue. Originally released in 1994, the mega-hit Shaka Bundu went on to sell over 250,000 copies in SA and marked a crowning of Shangaan-disco’s successor to the late Peta Teanet.
Veteran musician, singer and producer Joe Shirimani is a multi-award-winning artist who has so far stood the test of time. Many of the artists who entered the music industry at the same time that he did are nowhere to be seen. Shirimani remains among a few who are still pushing hard to be heard and remain stable. Shirimani learnt to compose his own songs and not only play other people’s music. This convinced him to attempt a career in the music business.
Candy Sekedi Mokwena is a Molobedu indigenous and afro jazz musician who already has the SATMA (Traditional Music Awards), Nominated For 16th Annual Mtn South African Music Awards4 Best Alternative Album: African and various nominations under her belt. She is not just a singer but also a community worker who motives and promotes education to the youth in the Country and this proves that she is an ambassador of our heritage as a nation particularly promoting indigenous languages, bead work, traditional music and dance.
Trompies are a South African music group who specialise in a type of pop music known as kwaito. The members of the group grew up together in a Soweto township and agreed to form a band after they had all completed their music studies in college.[1] Beginning to make music in the mid 1990s, they have since sold over half a million records and have become very successful in producing and managing other artists as well through their record label Kalawa Jazmee.