Moneoa, our musical gift.

New kid on the block, Moneoa.
www.myspace.com

Local radio stations have been playing a lot of local music lately and while listening to Metro FM a while ago, I heard Shugasmakx's new song 'take it easy'. It sounded so great and it featured a girl with a very nice, soothing and angelic voice. I liked the song because of the girl's voice.
 I got to hear this voice in another song with words like 'I love more than you' and later in another fun, but sad song titled 'isibanxa'. That voice reminded me of the late TK, but it belonged to the talented KZN girl, Moneoa Moshesh. Popurlarly known as a dancer, Moneoa is now an incredible recording with a great musical future ahead of her.

South Africa should be proud to have such amazing talent and we all should be able to support it. This time last year, we had Zahara, could Moneoa be the next Zahara and take all the awards home at next year's SAMAs?  I think she can, but only if we support her music. www.myspace.com/moneoa

Make music the main ingredient for braais!

It is Heritage month and next week as a lot of South Africans will be gathering with friends and families in celebration of Heritage day, music is always the source of entertainment while people chit chat about life events. South Africa is famous for being a braaing nation that loves its meat, there sure will be a lot of people sitting back and enjoying meat in the flames on Heritage Day. While enjoying the spring and sunny day of the public holiday, do not forget to jam to the sounds and beats of locally brewed music.

Above: Eddie Zondi, a radio DJ who has a compilation CD of
the best songs fit for a layed back braai.
Picture founf at www.metrofm.co.za

Whether you are a House Music, Kwaito, Hip Hop, Jazz, or Classical music fan, it doesn't really matter, just as long as you keep it local and definately lekker. Nothing completes a braai meal like a playlist of good music playing in the background. Music from the likes of Eddie Zondis and Simphiwe Danas will make a perfect selection of braai music for the feast. So while laying back and enjoying that saculant steak, be sure to listen to the best of home brewed music because Local is Lekker! 

South African music for heritage month

The weather is nice and trees look alive again.  It is the wonderful month; September. South Africans celebrate Heritage day on the 24th of September every single year and this year will be no different. This is the month to speak our languages, wear our bright traditional attires and eat our organic, healthy foods.

 There already are a number of celebrations planned, but I would love to hear more local music being played on the radio and on television this month. We are rich with musical talent that makes us proud to be African. We have gifted musicians like Stimela, Phuzekhemisi, Mahotella Queens, Johnny Clegg and many others who sing beautiful African music. This month, let us be proudly South African and play music that is written in our 11 languages and embrace our culures and heritage.www.sahistory.org.za

The Joy of Jazz

The wonderful feeling that we get from listening to music, especially the type of music we appreciate. I have said in my last few blogs  that South African women are very lucky to have handsome artists llike John Legend and Anthony Hamilton, come and perform for them. This week, we are all very lucky to have musicians who cater not only to young people or females, come to perform for us. The Standard bank Joy of Jazz festival is taking place this weekend in Newtown, with the opening tonight.

 Lovers of Jazz music can go see their favourite Jazz musicians do their thing on stage.International musicians include Earl Klugh and Clarence Carter, local artists include Caiphus Semenya, Thandiswa Mazwai and there will be a special tribute to the legendary, Miles Davis. August was a great month for the South African music industry and we are sure ending it in a great, jazzy way. We look forward to a great September!www.joyofjazz.co.za

Soul is here!

New-age soul singer, Anthony Hamilton

Oh, how I love being a woman! South African women are being appreciated so much this year, with many international acts coming to perform for us. We were blessed to have Grammy-winner, John Legend perform for us last week. This week, we are going big again.

We have the soulful, amazing, one-woman man, RNB artist, Anthony Hamilton blessing us with his talent this week. His songs are forever playing on our local radio stations and that has created a huge fan base for him in South Africa.

 We all know him for songs such as 'Pass me over', 'Lucille'and the wonderful remix he did for 2Pac's 'Dear mama'. The weather is beautiful, love is in the air and music still keeps the world alive so, be sure to check this amazing artist out this coming weekend. www.myspace.com/Anthony Hamilton

The legend is in South Africa

Award-winning RNB star, John Legend

We have just started an awesome month, August, which means a lot to the people of this country. Women's month is all about love, music and all things nice. We have a lot to celebrate as women and as South Africans. It is at this time of year where women of South Africa are celebrated and should be celebrated and shown major respect. Women are usually celebrated through music and as usual, celebrations are in order for this year's Women's day.

There are a lot of celebrations to look out for this month, but one that I am excited about is the John Legend one. With the cold weather we're having in Johanneburg, John Legend is what every woman needs right now. He has songs that will keep us warm for days! Supporting acts for this show are Mi Casa and the lovely Metro Fm presenter and SA Idol judge, Unathi Msengana. Let's go and support this event. Also look out for him as he makes an appearence on SA Idol this week. www.myspace.com/John Legend

Women of power, women of song

women marching to the Union buildings, Pretoria, in 1956

August is Women's month and we, South Africans, remember the bravery of the women of 1956, who took to the streets and marched against the Pass law that the then government had against them. Since then, women have been motivated to speak their minds and stand for what they believe in.

In this day, women suffer different forms of abuse, they are killed by their lovers, little girls are raped by their fathers, children go to bed hungry, mothers die of HIV and its related illnesses... what is amazing is that, the women who took part in that 1956 march were united through music and  even in this day, we have women who stand tall and enrich lives and fight for their emancipation through song. We have women like Simphiwe Dana, Ntsiki Mazwai, KB, Zamajobe, Tu Nokwe and many others who use their voices to reach out to the world and make lives of people better.

This is the month to celebrate our political icons and musical icons who have helped shape the future of this nation and won democracy for the women of this generation and future generations. Like they say, wa thinta'bafazi, wa thint'imbokodo. Let's celebrate the women of this nation through music.
www.sahistory.org.za

Another one gone

Brown Dash at the 18th Annual SAMAs

South Africa mourns yet another fallen star. Kwaito artist, Brown Dash has kicked the bucket. He died on the same day that Brenda Fassie passed away on, eight years ago.

 Many saw him performing at the 18th Annual MTN South African Music Awards. The horrible comments that followed on social networks that evening were enough to make one sick. Brown Dash made an amazing contribution to the South African music industry and he will forever be remembered as that young man who made a lot of hits with Mzekezeke.R.I.P. Brown Dash.
Sowetan

Show some respect!

Award-winning musician, Zahara

The English have Adele and we have Zahara. Red dress, big afro, stunning voice... This girl gave an amazing performance of her hit song, Loliwe, this Monday at this year's South African Music Awards and to top it all, she took home eight awards. Such talent! Could she be another local 'one hit wonder'? I would like to believe that she has more to offer.

The awards were hosted by a number of people, Arthur Mafokate being one of them and boy, did he look handsome in that suit, man! The new management under South African Idols judge, Randall Abraham, did an amazing job. There were a few dull moments, but it's nothing that cannot be fixed. What I loved is that the Lifetime achivement award went to people that are still alive, unlike in the past when it was given to honour people that have already passed on. It was a great show to watch and very exciting to see that music does unite people. We do it for the love of music. samusicawards.co.za/

Let Freedom reign

Music kept black people sane during the apartheid years. The fight was not only kept alive on the streets, but it was kept alive in the songs our people sang as well. The 27th of April marks the day South Africa got its freedom and the day we gave meaning to the songs sung by our forefathers way before our time, in their struggle for emancipation.

Today, music is still a major influence in politics and governance of the rainbow nation. People of all races and genders are free to sing about whatever they wish to sing about without fear of offending any of their listeners. One song that stands out for me is "Should we fight back" by South African rock band, The Parlotones. It talks about how a saviour( Nelson Mandela), was born to help free this nation and lead it. The song reminds us that we should continue to stand together as a nation. www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/t/the-parlotones

Hip-Hop is still alive

If you do dream in colour and in rhyme, this one is for you. Hip-Hop lovers have always maintained that Hip-Hop is not just a music genre, but it is a culture. It is the way we live, breathe and eat. We always question young men that walk around with their pants sagging, huge caps on their heads, tops that look like dresses, spray cans in their hands, hectic words on their lips... What you do not know is that this is part of the Hip-Hop culture. Underground or not, we all have love for this game.

To celebrate this culture, Sprite "Uncontainable" is taking on the task of finding South Africa's finest Hip-Hop lovers in the categories of dance, graffiti and emceeing. If you have what it takes to blow the world away with your art and have one of the greatest underground rappers, Talib Kweli as your mentor, you know what to do, right? Enter the competition and keep the movement going. We love Hip-Hop and it loves us. Show some respect!
www.zalebs.co.za/.../sprite-unleashes-their-nationwide-hip-hop-talent-search

Toya on top

"You know this life can crush your goals, you just gotta know you're not alone. It's in your mind, your jail, your soul, fly free and live life." These are part of the lyrics to 'Pump it on', the debut single released by new South African star, Toya Delazy, earlier this year.

 Toya is a young girl from Mahlabathini, KwaZulu-Natal, who is currently giving local stars a run for their money. Born Latoya Buthelezi, this girl's voice and song lyrics are real and hard-hitting. Like any other girl, she sings about love, life and achieving one's dreams. She has shared stage with stars such Baba Maal, The Mahotela Queens and Tumi and the Volume, amongst others.

 This girl's star is certainly rising and shining brighter every single day. 'Love is in the air' and 'Pump it on' are the singles to look out for right now and they are on high rotation on local radio stations. We await the day Toya goes international and collaborates with the likes of Emeli Sande, Missy Elliot and Kanye West. Her debut album is set to be relased later this month and I hope it gets her an award at the Metro FM awards later this year. Show some respect and Pump it on!

Help the artists out!

  I recently read about a local musician who apparently, does not own a car and has an outdated cellphone. I found this sad because this person's music has been on high rotation on most local radio stations and a lot of people dance to his music. One answer for this man's situation; PIRACY.

With the recent announcement of the 2012 South African Music Awards nominees, the nation was excited  to learn that Afro-pop musician got seven nominations. Do we remember when this girl's album was pirated and it had American  singer, Aaliyah's face on it?

Why should we say our artists are poor if we do not support their art? It is about time we moved to the same rhythm as a nation and took a stand against piracy. It does not benefit the ministry of Arts and Culture or the artists theselves. Let us not even brag about downloads. What is a man to do with R5 for every song downloaded? Let us support local music in the same way that we support local sport.

Music for africa

Lomwe and Zeus

It is great to have African musicians collaborate on albums and singles. Lomwe and Zeus are rappers from Malawi and Botswana, respectively, they were housemates on the 2011 edition of Big Brother Africa Amplified. We often saw them get into rap battles on the show and it never crossed our minds that these two would actually work together one day. Their first performance was at the Lake of stars music festival in Malawi last December. The rappers are to release their album, Double Wowza later this year and the title single was released two weeks ago.

What these two rappers have done is what more African artists should be doing; it is time Africa united. Let us support our fellow Africans, buy local music and play more African tunes on local radio stations. We need to stop the fights and corruption; use the energy to create more music. Dance to one beat, Africa.

SAMA nominees 2012

Waiting with bated breath

Yesterday, the 18th annual SAMA nominees were announced by SAMA CEO, Randall Abrahams. The nominees were announced in the morning and followed by a celebration at famous club, Hush. Randall was appointed CEO after last year's flop of an event and we wait to see how differently he is going to do the job given to him.

Hip-Hop Pantsula was nominated in the category of 'Best street urban album' for his album, MotswAfrika. We wait to see if the man who has the whole nation singing 'bosso ke mang?' will take this one home. Other nominees include Loyiso Bala, Kabomo, new-comers Micasa, Sipho Mahlangu, Bhekumuzi Luthuli and Brickz. The lady that was nominated in almost every category , with seven nominations, is Zahara. Having been compared to Britain's Adele, we cannot wait to see if Zahara takes all the awards home like Adele did at the Grammy's last month.

The awards will be held in Sun City on the 29th and 30th of April, with the main event taking place on the 30th and being aired the very same evening on SABC 1 at 20:30. Good luck to all those that were nominated and watch out for Zahara!

http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=sama%20nominees%202012&source=web&cd=9&ved=0CFgQFjI&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.citypress.co.za%2FEntertainment%2FNews%2FZahara-scoops-seven-Sama-nominees-20120308&ei=AtNZT7jOGIPR0QX4ufzuDQ&usg=AFQjCNFULgbfw3iBiwXIL5Lwg8snL-eIFQ

The lady with the most nominations, Zahara