Shane Cooper, born 1985, is a bassist, composer, and producer whose debut album Oscillations (2013) won Best Jazz Album at the 2014 South African Music Awards (SAMAs). As the 2013 Standard Bank Young Artist for Jazz, Cooper has performed with the likes of Louis Moholo and Afrika Mkhize. Under his electronic alias Card On Spokes,…
It is undeniable that The Qwellers are currently the front runners of the current crop emerging from the South African Hip-Hop scene as they continue to release music and blaze a trail that will be spoken about for years to come. If you are familiar with them it would not be a surprise to you…
Dee Koala, a Cape Town-based rapper from Khayelitsha, has a distinctive voice and authentic perspective. Her unique ‘new school spaza’ sound has placed her at the forefront of South African hip-hop. She recently celebrated reaching 1 million streams on Apple Music, thanks to albums like 4 The Khaltsha (2019) and singles like Anazinto (2023). She’s…
Born in Soweto in 1988, Buhlebendalo Mda is known for her vocal prowess and stage presence. She has performed at major festivals like Womad, Queertopia, AfroVibes, and the Cape Town International Jazz Festival, amassing a fiercely loyal following. Her debut solo album, Chosi (2020), explores spiritual themes, and her latest album, Hele (2024), was crafted…
This weekend, on November 2, Kujenga, the fast-rising star on the South African jazz scene, thrilled audiences at the BMW Art Generation at Nirox Sculpture Park. The event featured an intergenerational conversation with artists Mmakgabo Helen Sebidi and Thenjiwe Niki Nkosi, live performances by Kujenga and Thandiswa Mazwai, and a variety of food and fashion…
Johannesburg, South Africa – October 2024: People are always looking for new music. Thankfully, South Africa is home to an incredibly diverse and vibrant music scene, where talented artists continuously push creative boundaries and release exciting new projects for their audiences to enjoy. Following suit, South African singer-songwriter Falco Holmz is getting ready to bless…
Two of the hottest South African rappers Roiii and Boity Thulo have decided to combine their forces for good. The pair have teamed up to release a new single, Oh My (OMG), blending Boity’s insane rap prowess with Roiii’s drill sound. Co-produced by PLXYGRND and Roiii, the track is an embodiment of the evolution of…
October 2024, Johannesburg – Hold onto your hats, music lovers! The highlyanticipated annual YouthX festival is set to turn up the heat on the 12 October 2024 withan epic line-up and thrilling activations that promise to make this year’s event, YX24,one for the books. YX24 is set to light up Constitutional Hill in Johannesburg, bringingtogether…
Saxophonist, Linda Sikhakhane, has garnered both local and international recognition for his distinctive style, which constitutes a smooth fusion of traditional South African sounds with cool, contemporary jazz. A native of Umlazi, Sikhakhane’s road has been shaped by an unshakeable spiritual and cultural foundation, as well as notable collaborations with influential figures in the jazz…
In an interview with BubblegumClub, South African artist Thando, also known as ‘Th&o.‘, discusses his creative journey and influences while unveiling his latest single, Lonely? (Come Along). Four years ago, we covered the release of his first album and it seems apt to do some coverage on this new release. The track is laced with…
I had the opportunity to catch up with Petite Noir, a singer, songwriter and record producer whose work is a beautiful blend of influences, with an uncanny sound and heartbreaking lyrical depth. The enigmatic artist took the time to give us a glimpse of his artistic process and the influences that result in what we now…
The late afternoon sun illuminated the unusually serene courtyard of Rosebank’s Universal Studios as I walked across it to meet and interview Mandisi Dyantyis, a pivotal figure in contemporary South African music, known for his fusion of jazz, Western classical, and African indigenous music. The multi-award-winning artist has a reputation for operating with a quiet…
