Simphiwe Dana is one of the greatest success stories in South African music. With her earthy voice that really gets under one's skin, Simphiwe is one of the shooting stars on the SA music scene. Media in South Africa hails Simphiwe Dana as "the best thing to happen to Afro-Soul music since Miriam Makeba” and even called her "South Africa’s Jazz Diva No#1". Her debut album "Zandisile" has received platinum status. During her first European tour in 2006 Simphiwe was celebrated by audiences with standing ovations wherever she performed. Simphiwe is one of the most sought-after performers to emerge from South Africa in many years and the future looks even more promising for this hard working artist.
BIOGRAPHY
It is credit to her immense schooling in different musical forms, not to mention her talent that Dana sings as if she has known a lot of pain and suffering in her life. Musically schooled in a church choir from her native East Cape, the distinct influence of gospel music can be heard on her first album “Zandisile”. As the apartheid era came to a close Simphiwe Dana started off by studying fashion design. But after moving to Johannesburg, the hub of the South African music industry, it was her appearances at open-mike sessions that immediately caught the attention of established musicians and producers. They eventually resulted in the recordings for her first album.
When asked about direct influences, Simphiwe Dana names the jazz legends Lena Horne and Sarah Vaughan, South African veteran vocalists like Dorothy Masuka, but also lesser greats from the realms of reggae, jive and traditional Xhosa music. She defines her own style as Modern African Soul. Her lyrics speak mainly of the significance of tradition, but also of the struggle for self-confidence and freedom, especially freedom for women.
