Maskandi is a form of Zulu folk music, originally associated with migrant workers, that is evolving with South African society. Often characterised by a picking guitar style which draws on a variety of historical influences it also has an important social function with players being given sanction to publicly criticise powerful people.
The Zulu people are a South African ethnic group. Many Zulu musicians have become a major part of South African music, creating a huge influence in the music industry. A number of Zulu-folk derived styles have become well known across South Africa and abroad. Zulu music has dominated many genres in South Africa, especially House music, Folk music, Acapella, Choral music and gospel. In fact, some of the most popular songs from South Africa are in Zulu.
Fokofpolisiekar is an Afrikaans alternative rock band from Bellville, near Cape Town, South Africa. Due to the obscenity in the name, they are also commonly known simply as Polisiekar or FPK.
Watershed is a South African pop rock band founded in Johannesburg in 1998.
Soweto Community Television (Soweto TV) is a South African community television channel broadcasting in the biggest township in South Africa, Soweto. The channel is free-to-air in Gauteng Province and it also broadcast to South African subscribers on the DStv pay TV service on channel 251 and Starsat on channel 488.
Bhekumuzi Luthuli was a well known South African Maskandi musician. Born in Kwa-Maphumulo, near the Kwa-Zulu Natal town of Stanger, he started making traditional Zulu music on a home-made guitar. In the early 1980s, he joined the Mbaqanga band Oshimi, based in Durban. After two albums with the group, Luthuli embarked on a successful solo career. His second and third solo releases, Unembeza and Wongikhonzela Enhliziyweni, won OKTV awards, and were followed by another 17 albums. Impempe attained platinum status, selling over 50,000 copies.
Warrick Swinney, more commonly known as Warrick Sony, is a South African composer, producer, musician and sound designer. He is the founder and sole permanent member of the Kalahari Surfers. They made politically radical satirical music in 1980s South Africa, and released it through the London-based Recommended Records. During this time the Surfers toured Europe with English session musicians.
Khaya Mthethwa is a South African singer-songwriter, musician, composer, arranger, and a multi-instrumentalist.
Shiyani Ngcobo was a Maskandi guitarist and teacher from South Africa who was a major figure in spreading the popularity of Maskanda outside of its homeland of South Africa. He toured Denmark, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, the United States and the United Kingdom during the early 2000s in support of his album Introducing Shiyani Ngcobo. In addition, he taught maskandi guitar style at the School of Music of the University of KwaZulu-Natal. He died near Durban on 18 February 2011.
Man As Machine is an alternative rock band from Johannesburg, South Africa founded in 2008. Their debut album Nothing But A Thing was released in 2011 and their follow-up album Patterns was released in 2015. The band currently consists of bassist Xavier Knox, drummer KJ Forde, guitarist Norden Hartman, and singer Rob Visser.
Simphiwe Majobe Nhlangulela, better known by her stage name Simmy, is a South African singer-songwriter.
Senzo Brikka Vilakazi known professionally as Kwesta, is a South African rapper and songwriter. Born in Katlehong, Gauteng, a township also known as "K1". In 2003, at the age of 15, he and his friends formed a rap group Ghetto Fellaz which then changed to The Juvenylz, same year. He is currently signed to his own independent media company known as RapLyf Records with co-founder Kid X.
Mfaz’ Omnyama (1959–2001) was a South African performer of Maskandi music, guitar player, and lyricist.
Revolution is a house band formed in Johannesburg, South Africa consisting of twin brothers George and Joseph Mothiba. They emerged into the spotlight with the release of their third album The Journey in 2002, supported by the hit single Vhavenda, it was recognised as the Best Selling Release at the 2003 South African Music Awards. Since then, they have released a further twelve albums at a rate of close to one per year, achieving some degree of commercial and critical success.
Thuto is the third studio album by South African recording artist and record producer Cassper Nyovest. A follow-up to his 2015 album Refiloe, Thuto was released on 5 May 2017 by his imprint Family Tree Records with support from Bridge Entertainment.
Connell Cruise Kingsburgh known professionally as Connell Cruise, is a South African singer, songwriter, performer, pianist, and musician.
Lundi Tyamara also known as Lundi, was a South African gospel singer.
Asanda Lusaseni Mvana(born 31 December 1988) known professionally as Msaki, is a South African composer, singer, and songwriter. Born and grew up in East London, during her childhood she was involved in musical activities. Her career in music began in 2008, at the age of 20, when she was a member of alternative rock band while attending college.
Sizwe Moeketsi Moniker, is a South African rapper commonly known as Reason, he came to prominence after his collaborative work with Ms Nthabi. He has worked with some of South Africa's respected names such as Stogie T, Moneoa, ProVerb, DJ Maphorisa, Kwesta and HHP just to mention a few.
Phuzshukela was one of the first maskanda musicians, and has been described as a pioneer of the genre and the first rural artist in South Africa to achieve prominence.
