Brenda Nokuzola Fassie was a South African singer, songwriter, dancer and activist. Affectionately called MaBrrr by her fans, she is also known as the "Queen of African Pop", the "Madonna of The Townships" or simply as The Black Madonna. Her bold stage antics earned a reputation for "outrageousness"; ironically, her Xhosa name, Nokuzola, means "quiet", "calm", or "peace".
The South African Music Awards are the Recording Industry of South Africa's music industry awards, established in 1995. The ceremony is held annually, usually in late April or May, with the judging process starting in November of the previous year. The nominations are typically announced at the end of March. The winners receive a gold-plated statuette called a SAMA.
Batsogile Lovederia "Rebecca" Malope is a South African gospel singer. She is known as "The Queen of Gospel." Her music career spans more than three decades. She has sold at least 10 million albums worldwide, making her one of the best-selling gospel artists of all time. Most of the 36 albums she has released have reached multi-platinum status.
Deborah Fraser was a South African gospel singer. She began her career in 1985 as a backing singer, and recorded her own album in 2000, titled Abanye bayombona, which became commercial success sold over 1 million copies in South Africa.
Sello "Chicco" Twala is a South African singer and record producer. He has produced many hit singles for well-known artists in the country, including Nkosana Kodi and Brenda Fassie. In the 1970s, he played in soul bands including Umoja and Sipho "Hotstix" Mabuse's Harari, as well as forming his own band, Image.
Lerato Moipone Molapo, known professionally as Lira, is a South African singer. Her name translates to "love" in Sesotho and she speaks four languages. She is a multi-platinum selling and an 11-time South African Music Award (SAMA)-winning Afro-soul vocalist, who refers to her music as "a fusion of soul, funk, elements of jazz and African."
Bulelwa Mkutukana, known by her stage name Zahara, was a South African singer, songwriter and guitarist. Her music was classified loosely as "Afro-soul", and she sang in Xhosa, her native language, as well as in English.
Loliwe is the debut studio album by South African singer Zahara, released on 6 September 2011. The album's production was handled by Robbie Malinga and Mojalefa Thebe. It was supported by two singles: "Loliwe" and "Ndiza", and features a guest appearance from Georgyn Kanana. It sold over 20,000 copies and reached gold status within 72 hours of its release. Four weeks after it was released, it sold 210,000 copies in South Africa. Furthermore, Loliwe sold 350,000 copies after four months of being on the market. It is the second fastest selling album in South African history behind Brenda Fassie's Memeza, which sold over 500,000 copies.
Phendula ("Answer") is the second studio album by South African singer Zahara. It was released by TS Records on September 13, 2013. The album's production was primarily handled by Robbie Malinga and Mojalefa Thebe. Phendula features guest appearances from Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Anele & Neliswa, Mzwakhe Mbuli, Mukengerwa Tresor Riziki and 2 Face Idibia. It was supported by the singles "Phendula", "Impilo" and "Stay". Upon its release, the album was made available for purchase on iTunes and Musica.
"Phendula" ("Answer") is a song by South African singer Zahara. It was released on September 6, 2013, serving as the lead single from her second studio album of the same name. The song peaked at number 6 on the South African EMA Airplay Chart on October 8, 2013.
"Soweto Blues" is a protest song written by Hugh Masekela and performed by Miriam Makeba. The song is about the Soweto uprising that occurred in 1976, following the decision by the apartheid government of South Africa to make Afrikaans a medium of instruction at school. The uprising was forcefully put down by the police, leading to the death of between 176 and 700 people. The song was released in 1977 as part of Masekela's album You Told Your Mama Not to Worry. The song became a staple at Makeba's live concerts, and is considered a notable example of music in the movement against apartheid.
Samkelo Lelethu Mdolomba, known professionally as Samthing Soweto, is a South African singer and songwriter. Samthing is best known for his vocals on Sun-El Musician's song "Akanamali" and his number 1 single on spotify "Akulaleki".
Zonke Dikana, known simply as Zonke, is a South African singer-songwriter and record producer. Her rise to stardom came in 2011 following the release of her third album, Ina Ethe, which was certified double platinum and was nominated at the 18th South African Music Awards. In 2013, she recorded and released Give and Take Live, which was certified gold just two months after its release and earned her a place in the Channel O list of "Africa's Top 10 Female Singing Sensations". In September 2015, Zonke released Work of Heart, her fifth album, to critical acclaim with nominations in several categories at the 15th Metro FM Music Awards and 22nd South African Music Awards. She signed a record deal to Sony Music Entertainment in 2013. On 15 June 2018, she released L.O.V.E, her fifth studio album, with Sony.
The apartheid regime in South Africa began in 1948 and lasted until 1994. It involved a system of institutionalized racial segregation and white supremacy, and placed all political power in the hands of a white minority. Opposition to apartheid manifested in a variety of ways, including boycotts, non-violent protests, and armed resistance. Music played a large role in the movement against apartheid within South Africa, as well as in international opposition to apartheid. The impacts of songs opposing apartheid included raising awareness, generating support for the movement against apartheid, building unity within this movement, and "presenting an alternative vision of culture in a future democratic South Africa."
Mango Groove: Live in Concert is a concert video released by South African fusion group Mango Groove in 2011.
Greatest Hits: The Queen of African Pop (1964–2004) is a posthumous greatest hits album by South African Afro-pop singer Brenda Fassie. The album was released on November 30, 2004 via EMI Music Distribution.
Mama is the eleventh studio album by South African singer Brenda Fassie, Released on November 4, 1993 by CCP Records. It went on to be sell over 100 000 albums in South Africa by mid 1994.
The seventeenth season of South African Idols premiered on 11 July 2021 and concluded on 21 November 2021 on the Mzansi Magic television network. The season was won by Berry Trytsman and the runner-up was Karabo Mathe.
Kamogelo Mampe, is a South African entrepreneur, actress, presenter, MC and voice-over artist. She is best known for the role in the television serial Muvhango.
Freddy Gwala is a South African musician who invented Zumba, a genre of African music that he started in the early 1970s. He began his music career with his brothers in 1973 after they formed a group called Pure Gold. He also co-founded another group called Platform One. He has also contributed to albums for different artists such as Brenda Fassie and other artists.
