Nicki Minaj is coming to S.A in September
TribeOne Festival announced Nicki Minaj today as one of the headlining acts where she will be performing on the Diamonds Stage. The TribeOne Dinokeng Festival, being held from 26-28th September 2014, will be a first of its kind not just for South Africa, but Africa itself. With a line-up featuring over 150 artists performing on three main stages, it is already being billed as Africa’s biggest festival! The festival will see the historic diamond-mining town of Cullinan, in the City of Tshwane in South Africa being taken over for the first musical journey of its kind on African shores. International, African and local South African artists will perform for an expected crowd of over 100,000 attendees. Minaj has earned numerous awards including seven BET AWARDS, four American Music Awards, one MTV European Music Award, Two American Music Awards, five Billboard Music Awards, and Billboard’s 2011 Rising Star award. “To say we are thrilled to have such an amazing talent and global megastar such as Nicki Minaj take centre stage at TribeOne Dinokeng this year in the amazing City of Tshwane is a complete understatement. Fans have so much in store for them not only with Nicki’s first ever performance on the shores of the African continent but Nicki is preparing for an incredible new live performance set just for the legions of music-Tribes transcending the Cradle of Music in Tshwane this year at TribeOne,” says Jandre Louw, Founder and CEO of TribeOne Festivals and...
Ed Sheeran- X album review
Warner Music recently invited us to the listening session of Ed Sheeran’s 2nd studio album “x” (Multiply) coming out on June 23rd. It follows his critically acclaimed and hugely successful 2011 debut +; an album that was certified 6 times platinum in the UK alone and has achieved worldwide sales of over 4 million copies to date. It also saw Ed as the recipient of various awards for the record, including 2 Brits, an Ivor Novello and multiple Grammy nominations. Ed is a man of not many words and he does love maths, which is evident in his album titles. I didn’t know what to expect from the album because I didn’t really like the first single that was released but all things changed when we got an opportunity to exclusively listen to the full album. Pharrell Williams brought in the hip hop element by producing lead single ‘Sing’, hip hop doesn’t really suit Ed but music is about exploring and experience. Besides that, the album is still the Ed Sheeran that you know and loved from his debut album. The opening track “One” will make you want to fall in love, kind of sounds like “Small Bump” from his debut. According to internet sources “One” was the first song Sheeran wrote for the album, and is “particularly quiet”. Written on a guitar made out of a whiskey bottle in a hotel room whilst on tour in Perth in 2011, it is the last track he has written about his ex-girlfriend Alice, who was the subject of all the love songs from his previous album. He still appears strong with his lyrics writing abilities. Fourth track “Don’t” will make you want to get down and move your hip a bit. The beautiful thing about music is to be able to tell a story as honest as you can and sing about the things that once made you sad or break your heart. It surely feels like the weight on your shoulders has been lifted off. The closing track Afire Love ends on a high note, just how it opened on a high note. You will still wish there’s a next track coming after the last one but 12 songs are enough for Ed to tell his story. In summary X is about love, light and fun or joy. That’s the theme that comes out in the album Pre-order it on iTunes here: http://bit.ly/1l7JXH3...
Who’s Up & Coming in Johannesburg?
By Nokwanda Shabangu The performing arts seek to present people with a dynamic perspective of life. They ought to engage with your emotions and your intellect, where unquestionable thoughts are dissected and unspeakable realities are uttered through creaking stage-floors. Live performances are impregnated with epiphanies of self-actualisation by giving one greater understanding of oneself. And by attending live performances such as Up & Coming showcase hosted by Bardill Entertainment, one is offered with an enriching and enlightening experience of the evolution of performing arts in Johannesburg. “Every artist was once an amateur” and through constant practice, constructive criticism, enigmatic growth and the help of eminent platforms and venues – Johannesburg artists are flourishing in their artistry. They are making strides in diversifying their material and ultimately cultivating themselves into (more) professional musicians. Up & Coming is a platform which was established in an attempt to fill a gap in developing performing artists, primarily musicians, by offering them a recurring platform to showcase themselves and in so doing, evolve as artists. Having seen the likes of Melanie Scholtz and Nduduzo Makhathini incorporated into this diverse programme – the excitement is evident when the event takes place on the last Wednesday of every month. With their exclusive venue at The Blue Room inside Moyo, situated in Melrose Arch and an effective PR plan – the artists are given immense respect as they approach the stage which sustains them for the night. As the audience indulge in an evening atmosphere of musical-stimulation in their semi-formal attire. More recently the Up & Coming programme offered a harmonious instalment which featured artists like 8 Bars Short, Inana and Throwback, all of whom were accompanied by their full bands which displayed the complex-thoughtfulness each artist presented. The intimate ambiance was initiated by upcoming duo 8 Bars Short, who have recently been signed by Motif Records. Rightfully so, the pair depict a delicate-strength through their lyricism and delivery. They were followed by Native Rhythms artist, Inana who hails from Kwa-Zulu Natal. A guitarist and songwriter whose impressive vocal-range left the audience in awe and yearning for more of her material. The evening ended with a bang as a band known as Throwback raised the energy levels to unrestricted heights. And the audience found sheer pleasure and prance in the nostalgic quality of their music and the vitality of these young performers. As the evening drew to an end and spectators began to mingle with the musicians – various questions crossed my mind… How often do these artists perform on a stage which is created for them and not for the greater good of a promoter’s pocket?...
An evening with John Legend: The All Of Me Tour coming to S.A
Big Concerts confirmed today that 9-time Grammy Award winner, multi platinum selling artist John Legend will be coming to South Africa with his highly anticipated All Of Me Tour. The following South African tour dates are: Cape Town: 16th November 2014 at the Grand Arena, GrandWest Cape Town: 17th November 2014 at the Grand Arena, GrandWest Johannesburg: 22nd November 2014 at Coca-Cola Dome Johannesburg: 23rd November 2014 at Coca-Cola Dome Presented by KFM, Kaya FM, M-Net and True Love. Another Big Concerts Experience. Tickets go on sale Wednesday 18th June at 9am. Go to www.bigconcerts.com for all the information. “An Evening with John Legend: The All of Me Tour,” has currently sold out in over 60 cities the US and features John in an intimate setting, highlighted by guitar/vocal accompaniment as well as a string quartet. “I’ve enjoyed this tour immensely,” said Legend. “The opportunity to get up close and personal with my fans and tell my story has been so much fun for me”. Fans can expect to hear John perform his smash single “All of Me” from his critically acclaimed fourth studio album ‘LOVE IN THE FUTURE’, as well as a mix of well loved songs from his previous albums. His latest album ‘LOVE IN THE FUTURE’ which recently claimed the #1 spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 Singles Chart, as well as #1 at four formats of radio: Urban AC, Top 40, Rhythm, & Adult Top 40. The single marks Legend’s highest selling and charting single of his career to date, with sales over 5.5 million worldwide. Tour Information: Cape Town Sunday 16th November 2014 Monday 17th November 2014 Grand Arena, GrandWest Ticket Price: R395 – R905 Tickets go on sale Wednesday 18th June at 9am from www.bigconcerts.com and Computicket Johannesburg Saturday 22nd November 2014 Sunday 23rd November 2014 Coca-Cola Dome Ticket Price: R395 – R965 Tickets go on sale Wednesday 18th June from www.bigconcerts.com and Computicket Pictures by Matthew...
Glitz and Glam at the 2014 MTV Africa Music Awards
A star-studded line up of African and international talent rocked the Africa continent tonight at the fourth edition of the MTV Africa Music Awards KwaZulu-Natal last weekend. The 2014 MTV Africa Music Awards is a stunning pan-African celebration of music, youth culture and lifestyle, brought to you by KwaZulu-Natal Province and supported by Absolut and the City of Durban. South Africa Tourism is also a key partner to the awards. Check out the red carpet looks and tell us which one is your favourite. Pictures by Al...
Sounds of democracy at Standard Bank Joy of Jazz
In the year in which South Africa celebrates 20 years of democracy, Standard Bank Joy of Jazz will be paying tribute to composers and artists who have used their music to highlight awareness of political injustices under apartheid. Sounds of Democracy – featuring exciting, young performers Bo Manamela, Brian Temba, Malik, Max-Hoba, Presss and Samthing Soweto – forms part of this year’s Standard Bank Joy of Jazz which takes place at the Sandton Convention Centre from September 25 to 27. As well as performing their own compositions, the Sounds of Democracy artists will do their versions of songs such as Not Yet Uhuru (Letta Mbulu); Jikela Emaweni (Miriam Makeba); I Got You Babe (Lucky Dube); Life Saver (Ozila featuring Nana Motijoane); Baby I’m Missing You (Blondie Makhene) and Now Or Never (Sankomota). Leading the pack of these remarkable compositions is the famous Xhosa ditty, Jikela Emaweni, which brought international recognition to the late Miriam Makeba (1932-2008). It was composed by Joe Mogotsi, Nathan Mdledle, Rufus Khoza and Ronnie Sehume – all members of the trailblazing Manhattan Brothers. It was first recorded in 1954 and went on to become a popular standard in the great South African songbook. Makeba recorded the song in May 1960 in New York with The Belafonte Folk Singers under the English title, The Retreat Song. With lyrics couched in metaphorical language and steeped in the Xhosa folk tradition, it is a song that advocates freedom but at the same time tells of subjugation in a country under the grip of apartheid rule. It gave voice to liberation movements around the globe. Another of these celebrated songs was composed and sung by Nana Motijoane, popularly known by his stage name, Coyote. Titled Life Saver – I Am Suffering; he sang it with a pop group called Ozila. It was cloaked in metaphorical language, but in the politically charged climate of the State of Emergency in the mid-1980s, its powerful appeal for personal redemption resonated with the disenfranchised majority. Sankomota’s Now Or Never track from the 1987 Dreams Do Come True album is a clarion call for Africans to stand up and do things for themselves if they hope to achieve self-reliance. The album’s theme of hope and black aspirations in the face of unrelenting racial oppression struck a chord with a young audience of firebrands in the townships and villages across the country – this despite their banned status in South Africa. Reggae music is essentially about redemption songs, in the words of one of its pioneers and brightest stars, Bob Marley. When Lucky Dube switched from maskanda and embarked on a glittering career as a reggae...
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