Dear Musician Releasing Music in 2024. Are you simply bad at marketing and PR, or do you just not want to do it? I ask myself this question whenever I come across a beautiful body of work 2 or 3 years later than I should have. As the new car smell of 2024 fades, the “Compliments of the New Year” sentiments will also disappear. When it does, the dreaded “When are you releasing your next project” questions will flood in. Soon enough, music lovers will dig through their favourite streaming services for fresh finds. Is 2024 the year when they find…
Author: Nonjabulo Malinga
Nonjabulo Malinga
I am a black girl who loves good music. The commercial and underground South African music scene is buzzing, and I would love my corner of the internet to highlight that buzz.
Each weekend this festive season seems bigger than the last, and the first-ever Hey Neighbour Festival proved this statement true. The one-of-a-kind 3-day music festival promised to turn strangers into neighbours, leaving you with unforgettable memories. This festival’s high anticipation clashed with our skepticism despite the prominence of the acts on the line-up. Also, I was unsure if Hey Neighbour could fill the Afropunk-sized hole in our hearts. Surprisingly, an off-roading adventure farm east of the nation’s capital still ignited the festive spirit we all know and love. Without a doubt, the Hey Neigbour festival will burn in the brain…
Multi-hyphenates don’t have difficulty crossing between art forms; Kay Sibiya is no different. Actor turned DJ Khumbulani ‘Kay’ Sibiya places his fit in the door with debut Afro-house single ‘Kuyabongwa.’ With the help of the talented Jey Charles, Kay hits the ground running with this compelling single. Also, while Amapiano takes over the world, ‘Kuyabongwa’ reminds us about home and giving thanks. The track channels a well-known iGwijo, “Kuyabongwa,” which translates to “it is being praised” or “it is being appreciated.” iGwijo or amagwijo is an isiXhosa call-and-response song typically sung at sport or traditional events. Moreover, “Kuyabongwa” embodies the…
“How far are you willing to go for your love of something/someone?” This is the hidden message in hip-hop artist Imani Basquiat’s single ‘Groove Theory.’ True to its name, the track takes you on an intoxicating, groovy journey to unapologetic expression. In this single, Imani creates an anthem for experimental hearts. Undoubtedly, a person’s interpretation of getting lost will differ from another. However, he talks about a thrilling groove where your passion keeps you alive. Shouldn’t we all be lost in the thrill of our consciousness? Imani is a Neo-Hop/Alternative artist, acclaimed and popular in the South African music scene.…
The gift of Christmas comes once a year. However, Rocking the Daisies is so good, it has to happen twice. South Africa’s biggest music and lifestyle festival returned after weather-related delays forced a postponement from October to November. Cape Town and Johannesburg were blessed with the presence of some of the globe’s best international acts. If attendance is any indicator, Rocking The Daisies feeds an appetite no other music festival can. This year’s edition of #JWxRTD, brought to you by Steyn Entertainment and Johnnie Walker, surpassed all expectations. Festival-goers gained access to yet another unforgettable experience filled with sensational performances…
Buckle up for an exciting ride as the multi-talented sensation Raf Don returns to the charts with a new single! Raf Don is back with a bang, releasing his brand-new Afrofused hit single, “Hello.” This Afrobeats and Afro-fusion offering, infused with the electrifying pulse of hip-hop, vibrates like an intense tropical love affair. Therefore, this makes it perfect for your scorching summer days and sultry nights. Una Rams was born into the world of religious leaders in Makwarela, Limpopo. His life revolved around the church, family, and a profound love for music. Growing up in the church’s musical ensemble with…
The South African jazz scene has grown tremendously since its first bebop jazz band was formed in the 1950s. In addition to other genres at that time, jazz was an anti-apartheid tool used to comment on the plight of the young black South African. Over 70 years later, jazz still captures the spirit and heart of the young black South African. We truly owe the inheritance of such a healthy jazz scene to the giants who paved a smooth path for us to tread. Jazz giants like Jonas Gwangwa and Hugh Masekela would be proud to see their trail blazed…
South African and Nigerian rappers Touchline and Capt.Dyse join forces in a new hip-hop single, “I Pray.” The collaboration, accompanied by tidy visuals, is a first between the two artists and nourishes the Nigerian/South African musical pipeline. With the picturesque city of Cape Town as the backdrop, the music video synergizes with every rapper’s dream to conquer the world. The track is a multilingual mashup with a heartfelt message about hoping and praying for a better future. Moreover, Touchline’s allegories compliment CaptDyse’s sing-song flow in this genuine track about the blessing found in persistence. Ayobami Dyse Onafuye, professionally known as…
BET Award Nominee and SAMA Award-winning rapper K.O took Jozi on a trip down memory lane with a legendary performance live at the Constitutional Hill. The Skhanda Gawd mobilized fans and supporters of South African Hip-Hop alike, proving that the love for his nostalgic hits still runs deep. His certified platinum discography over an 18-year-long career makes him one of South Africa’s brightest musical acts. Mr Cashtime’s success is a testament to how far South African Hip-Hop has come. For day-one fans of either K.O or SA Hip-Hop, his show proves how much further we can go when we go…
Online music residencies are a new frontier for many of the world’s talented emerging artists. The opportunity to have meaningful conversations about music culture is now an online content staple. A new artist discovery tool for some, Mahogany Sessions’ 13-year tenure celebrates the intimate bond of live music sessions. Bongeziwe Mabandla’s debut performance in one of Mahogany’s “most insane locations so far” resonates with music’s power to travel far. The Mahogany Sessions share a gorgeous session with Bongeziwe Mabandla in an ice cave high in the Swiss Alps. Consequently, Mabandla and the crew were flown in a mountain rescue helicopter…