AFRO-POP, AFRO-JAZZ AND AFRO-SOUL SUPERSTARS

DON LAKA
Based in Johannesburg
DON LAKA formed his first band at the age of 11 and at age 14 he made his first recording, featuring Ray Phiri on guitar. His career blossomed further by producing and performing with artists such as Ray Phiri and Sipho Mabuse. He is now regarded as one of South Africa’s premier producers, having produced for Mango Groove, Sharon Dee and Johnny Clegg amongst others. MORE

ERNIE SMITH
Based in Durban
Multi-award winning Ernie Smith's musical style has been propelled by the sounds of South Africa mentors like Jonathan Butler, Sandile Shange, Moses Taiwa Molelekwa and many others. Coupled with his ambition to expose and attract young and old to listen to thoughtful music, he has developed a style of playing and singing that is an assimilation of Jazz, African, gospel, soul and R&B references. MORE

freshlyground
Based in Cape Town
Freshlyground exploded onto the SA music scene in 2002 and has not yet failed to captivate audiences with some of the freshest, funkiest African pop South Africa has yet seen. This multiracial, multinational seven-piece ensemble perfectly blends Afro beats, funk, dance, classical influences and jazz to produce a unique sound loved by its growing following. Their latest album ‘Nomvula’ – featuring the unstoppable radio hit single ‘Doo Be Doo’, as well as ‘I’d like’ and ‘Nomvula’ – recently gained Gold status after sales topped 25 000. MORE

GLORIA BOSMAN
Based in Johannesbur
She has shared stages with a myriad artists all of whom represent the African Jazz Renaissance, of which she is a huge part. She has shared the stage with the likes of Sibongile Khumalo, Moses Molelekwa, Tananas, Sipho Mabuse, Vusi Mahlasela, James Philips, Victor Masondo and Hugh Masekela to name only a few. Gloria alsohad the honor of performing in front of both outgoing and incoming presidents. MORE

HUGH MASEKELA
Based in Johannesburg
Ever since the day in 1954 when Archbishop Trevor Huddleston gave him his trumpet, Masekela has played music that closely reflects his beginnings as a little boy in Witbank. The street songs, church songs, migrant labour work songs, political protest songs and the sounds of the wide cross-section of ethnic culture South Africa possesses from Xhosa, Zulu, Swazi, Khoi, San, Griqua, Sotho and Tswana peoples of the South, South East, Central and Western Regions to the Ndebele, Tsonga, Venda and Pedi provinces of the North and North West. MORE

JIMMY DLUDLU
Based in Johannesburg
Multiple award-winning SA artist Jimmy Dludlu's style includes wide-ranging influences, combining both traditional and modern elements of jazz drawn from among others Wes Montgomery, George Benson and Pat Metheny, to South African legends Miriam Makeba, Letta Mbulu, Hugh Masekela, Themba Mokwena, and Allen Kwela. He is particularly drawn to the sounds of west and central Africa, as well as Latin America, but says jazz remains his first love. His numerous original compositions fall within the tradition of what has been loosely termed Afro-Jazz. MORE

JUDITH SEPHUMA
Based in Johannesburg
By intertwining deep-rooted traditional music with contemporary tones (mainly Jazz, but also RnB), Judith Sephuma has crafted a strongly South African, yet globally accessible sound that has earned her legions of fans. Her debut album - A Cry, A Smile, A Dance - was released in 2001, and brought Judith and her remarkable voice to a wider audience. MORE

LIRA
Based in Johannesburg
Lira is undoubtedly one of the hottest performing artists in South Africa at the moment. Her single "Feel Good" has earned her a 2007 SAMA Award in the category Best Music Video, and enjoys more radio airplay than any other South African song. This SONY/BMG signed artist's popularity stretches beyond the borders of South Africa; her most recent performances being in Italy, releasing "Feel Good" to the European market. MORE

MAFIKIZOLO
Based in Johannesburg
Mafikizolo are part of South Africa’s kwaito explosion. Their name may mean 'new kids on the block, who just arrived yesterday' in Zulu, but Mafikizolo are no newcomers. This vibrant, stylish group that created a delicious dance brew by mixing old and new South African sounds, have released seven hit filled Afro Pop albums, sold over a million copies, and picked up countless awards, which makes them one of the biggest groups in South Africa. MORE

REBECCA MALOPE
Based in Johannesburg
South Africa’s Queen of Gospel, Rebecca Malope, recorded her first album ten years ago. Today she is one of South Africa’s biggest selling local artists. Rebecca Malope has performed for people in all walks of life, young and old, educated and non educated , rich and poor, kings and dignitaries, and all that has not the changed Rebecca , she is still humble as ever and she is still giving her time and money to the needy and the abused. No wonder she is so blessed because she is a giver, she has sold over 3000000 albums throughout her career. MORE

RINGO MADLINGOZI
Based in Johannesburg
Multi-talented vocalist, drummer, percussionist, guitarist, songwriter and producer Ringo Madlingozi is one of South Africa’s strongest live performing acts. He is however no newcomer to the music scene, and has perservered through a succession of bands, and session work which has had him recording with artists as diverse as Hugh Masekela, Simply Red, Teddy Pendergrass (The Power of One) and Caiphus Semenya, as well as for the movie The Lion King. MORE

SIPHOKAZI
Based in Johannesburg
Siphokazi Maraqana, Afro-Soul artist who hails from Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape, took the SA music industry by storm with the 2006 release of her debut album "Ubuntu Bam", which was awarded with a 2007 SAMA award for Best African Adult Contemporary Album. Siphokazi is however no stranger to the stage, having performed at numerous concerts and festivals, both as a backing vocalist and a featured soloists with renowned artists such as Tshepo Tsola, Ringo Madlingozi, Mat Matshikiza, Simphiwe Dana, Zamajobe, and Stimela. MORE

THANDISWA MAZWAI
Based in Johannesburg
Having performed as backing vocalist with Bongo Maffin for a few years, Thandiswa Mazwai was invited to join as lead singer in 1997, and subsequently ejnoyed a rapid rise to fame. Hailed as the sound of "new South Africa," Bongo Maffin were one of the first group's to perform kwaito, a purely South African mixture of hip-hop, reggae, and house music flavored with South African sensibilities and dialects. A very strong selling point for Bongo Maffin was now-multiple award-winning Thandiswa's politically conscious lyrics and rich, expressive vocals. MORE