I had the overwhelming honour of meeting Thandiswa Mazwai at her impeccable Simmonds Street studio in downtown Johannesburg, where we discussed her latest album release Sankofa. As the afternoon sun poured in through her large industrial windows, we sat comfortably at the far end of the space in the kind of close communion that can…
Winnie Madikizela Mandela is one of South Africa’s most prominent historical figures. Langa Mavuso is one of its brightest young musical stars. Market Theatre, nestled in Newtown, Johannesburg, is known for producing some of the country’s most spectacular shows. Any time these three forces collide, something is bound to shift in the world of South…
Dumomi The Jig, a UK-based Nigerian musician and rising star in the Afrobeats scene, has unveiled his latest single, ‘Butterfly’. This track, released via Adult Global Nation, follows the tremendous success of Dumomi’s previous single, Maria, featuring the Queen of Afrohouse, Niniola. With over a million views on YouTube and critical acclaim from notable publications…
From its inception, Bubblegum Club has always been a dedicated platform for amplifying new music from emerging talents across the African continent. To this day, it remains steadfast in its commitment by offering itself as a means of fostering cross-cultural work. By showcasing the work of young musicians like Kemuel, Bubblegum Club hopes to continue…
R&B music and the month of love go together like peanut butter and jam. If musicians get their timing right, their music could have instant and eternal appeal. Fresh from two sold-out Candlelight Concerts in Toronto for Valentine’s Day and a headline performance in Atlanta for Black History Month, ZENESOUL got the timing right with…
One sentence has hardly been spoken to completion before Neo Mokoatle begins to refine his initial thought. He starts another, holding a now concentrated idea to the light, before discarding it in favour of a concept or greater truth that has revealed itself to him in the process of his speaking. His speech matches his…
Held at The Market Photo Workshop from the 1st to the 2nd of December 2023, a reflective celebration of the release of The Brother Moves On‘s first album A New Myth (2013), coincided with the passing of former President Nelson Mandela. This conceptual foundation led to a concert series, culminating in a final episode that…
Ghanaian artist Ko-Jo Cue has carved a place for himself as a creative rapper for the people. An icon in his own right, he has become a role model to many since his emergence in 2014. Before his break in 2021, Ko-Jo had established himself as a versatile rapper who sheds light on life’s issues….
It seems that especially after urbanisation, globalisation, 4IR and COVID-19, there’s an undeniable thread that binds us all — separation anxiety. Each of us, in our own way, has encountered the pervasive ache of distance, and the yearning for a loved one who isn’t there. This shared narrative transcends cultural boundaries and it’s no wonder…
That Tuesday Funk takes place every last Tuesday of the month at The Plug on 7th Avenue in Melville, Johannesburg. Originally, it was held at Hell’s Kitchen on the same street until that place shut down. Established just after COVID in July 2021 by Siyabonga Mthembu of The Brother Moves On and DJ extraordinaire Jab…
Ever since I listened to Solarkenji’s album notes, I will not lie, I have found myself going down a bit of a rabbit hole as far as South Africa’s underground music scene is concerned. Rather than stumbling upon this musician’s music on my own, I was persuaded by his manager to give it a listen…
This place has insane energy and a distinctively effortless cool that flows through the streets. It’s no wonder that this inexplicable local flair is increasingly resonating globally and major international brands are acknowledging the unique cool factor that defines South Africa. As more brands come knocking, it means more to us than mere recognition; it’s…
