Zuluboy
Zuluboy is an uncompromisingly ethnic hip‐hop rapper who left his hometown of Durban in 2001 to go to Johannesburg for musical training. He has done workshops in Europe with participants ranging from 15 to 25 years old on ethnic music and rap compositions, using ‘equal chances’ as a theme. His latest album ‘Masihambisane’ was released in 2009.
Themba Mkhize
Since his 1999 award‐winning debut album ‘Tales From The South,’ until his third and latest recording ‘Hands On,’ pianist, composer and producer Themba Mkhize continues to paint South African traditional rhythmscapes on the jazz canvass.
Kurt Darren
Pretoria native pop singer, Kurt Darren, recorded his first album ‘For Your Precious Love’ in 1995, sang ballads for years across SA and reached stardom with his 2002 famed fifth album ‘Meisie Meisie.’ Undisputed multi‐platinum prince of Afrikaans music, Darren won four SAMAs, produced a dozen popular albums and sold millions of CDs. In 2008, he was invited to perform at Nelson Mandela’s 90th birthday in Hyde Park, London.
Nothembi
Born in 1953 in a family with a great musical tradition, long before becoming the African ‘Ndebele Queen of Music,’ Nothembi left her rural homeland in 1977 to look for a better life and job in Pretoria. In 1994,she performed at the introduction of the first South African Black president, Nelson Mandela. Folk singer Nothembi is now considered an absolute and widely‐respected South African rock star.
Jozi
Jozi is one of the hottest hip hop crew in South Africa and their name is derived from a shortened version of Johannesburg, where they reside. Lead vocalist Ishmael ‘Ish’ Morabe gained extensive experience and exposure when he toured with the Fugees and Public Enemy. When Akon, Kanye West, 50 Cent, The Game and Nas came to SA, Jozi was instantaneously called upon to open for these international hip hop artists. They won the Best Live Performance at the 2008 MTV Africa Music Awards.
The Parlotones
Selected last year as a MidemTalent, The Parlotones are back for the 2010 opening night. Things really took off in 2005 with the release of ‘Radiocontrolledrobot.’ This debut album was nominated for Best Rock Album at the 2006 South Africa Music Awards and won! The awards kept on coming as The Parlotones embarked on a 2009 world tour.
Thandiswa Mazwai
As lead vocalist and songwriter of award winning group Bongo Maffin, Thandiswa Mazwai has been an indelible part of the SA cultural landscape. The band became widely recognised as the voice of SA’s conscious youth and shared the stage with musical icons such as Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles. As a solo artist, Thandiswa was awarded Best Female Artist at the 2005 South Africa Music Awards. Her latest 2009 album ‘Iboke,’ dancehall and reggae, jazz and funk, Xhosa and Zulu traditional rhythms and melodies.
Maletangwao Cultural Troupe
The full Maletangwao Cultural Troupe consists of about 30 committed young dancers and singers. The Troupe is also a cultural project that unearths and reveals the dance talents of the South African north‐west provinces and Botswana. Their 2009 second album ‘Ke Itewa Ke Letswalo’ was a popular and a commercial hit.
Tidal Waves
In the tradition of South African Maskandi and Mbaqanga Zulu traditional music, the sound of Tidal Waves has original reggae roots with strong rock, ska and blues influences. The band is renowned for performing music in English, Afrikaans, Setswana and Tshivhenda. Like all good reggae, their lyrics are socially conscious and uplifting, railing against the government for not respecting the Rainbow Nation and imploring their fans to stand up for integration. The 2009 launch tour of the band’s latest album ‘Manifesto’ marked the 10 year anniversary of Tidal Waves.
Lira
Wonderfully gifted and sublime young SA singer Lira is a real ‘feel good’ and soulful jazz and R’nB sensation who’s popularity stretches beyond the borders of South Africa. She is now established as a crossover artist capable of delivering to everyone from hip, black urbanistas to suburban grannies. With her latest album ‘Saul In Mind,’ Lira earned four 2009 SAMAs, including Best Female Artist and Album of the Year.
Wouter Kellerman
Widely considered to be South Africa’s foremost flautist, taking his crossover world music to a large audience. A breathtaking journey through African, Latin, jazz, tango and Celtic sounds, Kellerman’s 2007 debut album ‘Colour’ received rave reviews, topped the charts and was nominated for a 2008 SAMA for Best Instrumental Album.
Vusi Mahlasela
Born in 1965, Mahlasela became enchanted by music at an early age, building his first guitar out of tin and fishing line. Reared in Mamelodi Township, a vibrant artist community where he still resides, he gravitated toward poetry and songwriting as a teen, eventually joining youth organisations protesting the separatist government. An accomplished guitarist, percussionist, composer, arranger, band leader and performer, Mahlasela has bridged generations at home and abroad. His sound is a hybrid of folk, world, blues and soul, one that connects SA’s apartheid‐scarred past with its promise for a better future.
Black Coffee
In 1990, 12 year old Nathi Maphumulo lost one arm in a car crash. The boy kept working on his dream, spinning discs at township parties and, as a member of successful vocal house group Shana, won a SAMA and had numerous hits. Now 33 years old, Black Coffee is one of the most respected names on the local dance scene and one of South Africa’s best known DJ/producers internationally. Through his own label, Soulistic Music, he recently released a third album ‘Home Brewed,’ full of tasty, deep, soulful house sounds.
DJ Christos
In 1998, DJ Christos received a SAMA for Best Dance Album, with partner Vinny Da Vinci, and since then received four more SAMAs for groundbreaking work, including Album Of The Year in 2008. The launch of DJ Christos’ own label, Katsaitis Music, has met with international success.
