Thiwe Mbola Premiers Solo Debut Music Video ‘Sekwanele’
The sensational Thiwe Mbola launches her first music video for the seductively intoxicating single Sekwanele. The single was released on iTunes earlier this year ahead of her forthcoming album titled Soul Therapy which is scheduled for release in 2015. For Thiwe, the music video enhances the message in Sekwanele perfectly: “The fact that I write from personal experience, portrays me as the simple girl next door. It makes me approachable and relatable. I believe most independent women will relate to Sekwanele as we tend to run away from love, just because it comes from a person who society feels is not good enough. The music video follows this storyline”. Thiwe is currently in studio working on original compositions for inclusion on the forthcoming album. “My songs are about life. I literally write from my very own personal experience. I write when I feel something. Whether it be love or motivation, my emotions for the day determine what the song will be about”. Thiwe started out in the industry as an Afro Soul singer and this is the foundation for her approach to song, bolstered by house beats. Performing with a band is what Thiwe is most comfortable with as evidently experienced at her live shows which include the Ekurhuleni East Comes Alive, Macufe Divas Concert, the Cherry Jazz Festival in Ficksburg and more recently the Joy of Jazz Festival. Thiwe’s smashing single ‘Crazy’ was included on Black Coffee’s Home Brewed album which led to more work on his Africa Rising Deluxe Album and the DVD. Other notable collaborations include work with Sai & Ribatone on debut album Here & Now as well as DJ Ganyani on his album The Family Gathering. More recently with DJ Kent on his album The Weekent and Mo Flava for Soulcandi Sessions. Watch the video below:...
Give Books, Change lives
Hi Nthabi, thanks for chatting to us. Tell us more about Give Books, change lives initiative? The Give Books; Change Lives children’s books drive is a response to the fact that the majority of children in South Africa do not have access to books and libraries and have therefore they do not read storybooks. Only 7% of our schools have functioning libraries. And since it’s the season of giving – let’s put the power of giving into the hands of our customers, supporters, and fans. We have partnered with 3 reputable NGOs, @ShineCentre @biblionefsa @nalibaliSA who run literacy projects for the benefit of less fortunate children. How it works is: 1. A person (or company) sends us their pledge amount or pays it directly into our account: Bank: Nedbank Account Name: Puo Educational Products Account Number: 1977061915 Branch: Rosebank (197705) 2. We will then deliver the books to the NGOs who will then distribute the brand new books to the children in their programmes. 2. When was it launched? We launched the initiative on 31st October through emails, social media and word of mouth. We’ve also had some radio coverage on SAfm http://iono.fm/e/115191?autoplay=1 and Radio2000. 3. How’s the journey been and what are some of the challenges that you come across when you communicate the message about #givebookschangelives? The response has been very positive. A challenge would be that at this time of year people are inundated with requests, but we’ve found that people then pledge a lesser amount, rather than not pledging at all. 4. Which provinces do you distribute the books at? All 9 provinces 5. What is the success rate? Within 3 weeks we had 1285 books pledged – this will make a big impact on children who would otherwise not know the joy of and thrill of storybooks to captivate the imagination. Or not have the opportunity to read for pleasure, or books that they can relate to. There are numerous benefits to reading – from educational through to building self-confidence – that we want is to give as many children as possible the opportunity for fun, locally relevant storybooks. 6. Do you find it effective when you also add social media as a means of communication? Yes as its very effective inn spreading our message. People have retweeted, liked and forwarded onto their networks. 7. What is your main objective as Puo? Our reason for being is to enrich children’s lives through Africa’s heritage. Be it storybooks, apps or games, Africa has a wealth of stories to be told and we want our children to hear them. 8. How can one help and how...
MTN Bushfire 2015 announces Les Nubians as the first headline act for the festival
Swaziland’s highly acclaimed three-day music and arts festival is proud to announce LES NUBIANS as the first headline act for MTN BUSHFIRE 2015: May 29th – 31st 2015. Early-bird tickets will go on sale via the website, www.bush-fire.com from November 21st, 2014. Make sure you are one of the 20,000 music and arts fans who “BRING THEIR FIRE” to the scenic farmlands of the Malkerns Valley to experience this unique event. Renowned for eclectic and multi-dimensional programming rooted in world music, MTN BUSHFIRE presents a compelling line-up of theatre, poetry, dance, art exhibits & installations, story-telling, puppetry, film, and themed workshops.. Additionally MTN BUSHFIRE features a KIDZONE and is a family friendly event. MTN BUSHFIRE, known for its eclectic and diverse music line-up is very excited to be able to host LES NUBIANS, as the Paris based Grammy Nominated artists have become synonymous with a unique Afro/European neo-soul sound and style. As one of the world’s most successful French language groups, LES NUBIANS’ newest album, NU REVOLUTION, perfectly sums up their Pan-African approach and ethos: “Africa is our past, present and future,” Les Nubians asserts. This [album] is about accepting and rejoicing through our body and mind that Africa is vibrant and 10,000,000 times ALIVE! Africa FOR the future also to say that we have to prepare the future of the continent. It’s in the NOW that we create the future. ACTION time is NOW!!!” Les Nubians Book your early bird tickets from Nov 21st and enjoy 3 days of music, art, personal expression and social activism in a unique festival environment. BRING YOUR FIRE and experience a diverse and eclectic event along with thousands of guests from across Africa and around the world. For more information and to purchase tickerts: www.bush-fire.com Also visit: www.facebook.com/MTNBushfire...
Interview: Nduduzo Makhathini on his new album and the journey
1. Parents tend to be stricter as educators, than external professionals. How would you say having mother as your first teacher influenced the way you’re learning progressed when you moved on to other educators? This process happened very organic for me, I only discovered later that my mom had been teaching me. She believed music was a language, a way of communication. 2. Having toured internationally, how does the international audience compare to South Africa in terms of appreciation and taste in jazz music? The western audiences are obviously different to ours, mainly in terms of their reaction to music. Europe is more a trained audience they listen and only show their appreciation by giving applauses either at the end of a piece or at the end of the whole performance. Africans on the other hand are interactive and very spontaneous in their response. Over the years I believe the west has cultivated their audience in a particular way, I mean, even looking at how the venues are structured more indoors for a seated audience. In Africa the whole audience and performer thing is quite new we do everything in circles, everyone gets involved it’s either you play the drum or singer a counter that is who we are. In closing I enjoy both audiences for different reasons and I appreciate the support one has been getting from both over the years. 3. Do you see diversity in South Africa’s art & entertainment industry, and is it living up to the potential you believe there is? South Africa is one of the most diverse countries I know when it comes to music and I believe it’s because we are very diverse even in our culture and language. Musicians are also very open here and exposed to a lot of different music from all over the world. I’m happy and very content to be an artist here now, though I feel artists are always ahead of everyone. I believe to create an industry we need all parties to be in sync from our business people, venues, government etc. 4. You collaborate and work with a lot of other musicians and bands, how does that influence your art as an individual? This for me is the healthiest thing to do from any artists; it helps a lot for growth and evolution of sound. It’s always great for me to tap into other musician’s spaces and know their story. I am grateful for all the collaborations I have been involved in; everyone I have worked with is but part of the composition and decomposition of the artist I am today. I look...
Simphiwe Dana Launches Firebrand to the World
Hot off her recent US performance at the Apollo Theatre, and followed by a red carpet invitation as nominee to NYC’s premier dance awards – Simphiwe Dana received a Bessie Award in the category Outstanding Composition for her work with Giuliano Modarelli (choreographed by Gregory Maqoma) – before hurrying back to prepare for her highly anticipated album release. Africa’s quintessential, iconic Queen of Soul, took fans by surprise yet again this weekend when she posted an announcement revealing the title of her forthcoming album. “I am a firebrand, and always have been. I am a firebrand because I do not allow society’s prisons to hold me back. I speak my truth. I am free. I love fiercely and I fight for what I love, and this is the source of my activism”. Simphiwe Dana will impress with this passion-infused album, which she intends to launch in Kenya together with Capital Fm as media partner this week, ahead of the album release in South Africa. Aptly titled, Firebrand – the new album which took two years to create – speaks to the inherent passion that emanates from the conviction carried through each song, lyric line, and melody. She will perform the new material for the first time at the diverse Koroga Festival in Kenya at the end of the week, and entice a select few to a pre-release album launch experience. Firebrand will be made available for fans to pre-order on iTunes across the continent, and around the world on 10 November 2014 to coincide with the launch in Kenya. Once back home next week, Simphiwe Dana intends to build up to a public pre-release listening session. This will take the form of a live on-air broadcast on Kaya Fm on 20 November, which will be streamed to listeners around the world. The listening session will include a select audience of hand-picked Firebrands in their respective fields, who in turn will engage in a Q&A session during the listening session with the leading Firebrand herself. Simphiwe Dana released her brand new single titled My Light last week. To Listen to My Light for a limited time period only click here – http://bit.ly/1wz60jX iTunes Single: Nzima – https://itunes.apple.com/za/album/nzima-single/id879056841 Music Video: Nzima...
Jill Scott heading to S.A for a “One Night Only” Concert
Smooth sounds of a dynamic soprano who infuses R&B, spoken word, jazz and hip hop, epitomizes the songstress that is Jill Scott. Airey Scott together with Kaya FM, Mzanzi Magic and Tsogo Sun bring us the The No.1 Lady, for one night only in Johannesburg on the 13 December 2014 at the Coca-Cola Dome. With over 4 million records sold in the US and numerous awards across music and film over the past decades, three-time Grammy Award winning singer/actress Jill Scott has proven why she is an artist personified. Before being named People Magazine’s Top TV Breakout Star of 2010 and appearing on VH1 Divas alongside Aretha Franklin, the triple threat began her career collaborating with musical icons, The Roots, Will Smith, and Common in the late 90s. In 2000, she released her much anticipated debut record, Who is Jill Scott? Words & Sounds, Vol. 1, a double platinum album that earned Scott several Grammy nominations, including Best New Artist. Two more critically acclaimed albums followed, Beautifully Human: Words & Sounds, Vol. 2 and The Real Thing: Words & Sounds, Vol. 3 which garnered two more Grammy Awards and spawned multiple worldwide tours. As an actress Jill Scott has also enjoyed great success, including her appearance in the HBO TV series No.1 Ladies Detective Agency, which was set and filmed nearby in Botswana. This summer Johannesburg will be catapulted into the world of Miss Jill Scott, as she carries her fans along on a melodic live journey with her dynamic voice for one night only this December. Johannesburg audiences will be treated to the full Jill Scott experience at a seated concert at The Coca –Cola Dome. Promoters Airey Scott, known for the recent Kendrick Lamar and 2Chainz SA tours, are excited to finally be bringing Jill Scott out to Johannesburg. ‘Having only ever performed in Cape Town in the past, we felt that it was only right to bring Jill Scott to Johannesburg and offer the market this exclusive experience’ said promoter Stuart Scott. Limited tickets for the seated concert are available at Computicket now. These range from R390 to...
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