Yogin Sullaphen

Last updated
Yogin Sullaphen
MG 9786 (1).jpg
Background information
Born (1986-01-08) 8 January 1986 (age 39)
Durban, South Africa
Genres
Occupations
  • musician
  • composer
  • sound designer
  • music producer
  • live-looper
  • guitar teacher
Instruments
  • guitar
  • bass
  • flute
  • drums
  • keyboard
  • African percussion instruments
Years active2012–present
Member ofuKhoiKhoi

Yogin Rajoo Sullaphen (born 8 January 1986) is a South African composer, music producer, live-looper and multi-instrumentalist. He is a member of the musical duo uKhoiKhoi, where his live-looping practices are a feature of their stage performances. Sullaphen is also known for composing and performing as part of theatre productions and performance art projects, which has earned him two nominations for Naledi Theatre Awards, which recognize excellence in South African theatre. [1]

Contents

Early life

Sullaphen was born in Durban, South Africa, and relocated to Johannesburg during his teenage years. He comes from a mixed-heritage background, with a South African Indian father and a Coloured mother. His diverse background exposed him to a wide range of musical influences, ranging from popular music of the 1970s and 1990s to Indian classical music and avant-garde jazz rock. Sullaphen did not receive formal music training until after high school when he decided to pursue a career in music and went on to complete a Bachelor of Music (BMus) at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, majoring in composition. [2]

Career

Sullaphen began his career as a guitar teacher in a private school in Johannesburg before transitioning to freelance work in music, primarily focusing on composition and production. His work in music composition has earned him two nominations for Naledi Theatre Awards. He was nominated in the "best original score" category for the production "Jungfrau" in 2019, [3] and for "best sound design/soundscape" for "Strange Land" in 2020, both directed by award-winning South African theatre director Jade Bowers. [4] [5]

Sullaphen has worked extensively with acclaimed South African director and choreographer Robyn Orlin on stage productions that have been performed internationally. Between 2012 and 2017, his composition for Orlin's "Beauty remained for just a moment…" toured extensively in France and throughout Europe. [6] From 2021 to 2025, Sullaphen, as part of the live-looping band uKhoiKhoi, toured across Europe and Asia with Orlin’s stage production titled “We wear our wheels with pride…”. [7] [8] [9] In 2024, this production was performed for the first time in South Africa at the JOMBA! Dance Festival where Orlin was honoured as the 2024 JOMBA! Legacy Artist. [10] Since mid-2024, uKhoiKhoi has also performed throughout Europe with “How in salts desert is it possible to blossom...”, another stage production by Orlin. [11] [12] [13]

Sullaphen has also composed for and performed internationally with world-renowned South African choreographers Kieron Jina [14] and, more recently, with multi-award-winning Gregory Maqoma. [15] Sullaphen formed part of the musical cast that composed and performed the music for Maqoma’s work, "Genesis - The Beginning and End of Time", which premiered at the 2025 Weimar Arts Festival in Germany. [16]

In another collaboration, Sullaphen worked with Modise Sekgothe, winner of the 2025 Standard Bank Young Artist Award for Poetry, [17] to create a stage production titled “Gabo Legwala”, that was performed in South Africa at the 2025 National Arts Festival in Makhanda and at the Market Theatre in Johannesburg. [18] [19]

In 2019, Sullaphen, along with vocalist and performing artist Anelisa "Annalyzer" Stuurman, founded the live-looping band uKhoiKhoi. This duo blends indigenous and electronic music to honour their ancestors and address societal injustices. [20] uKhoiKhoi released a self-titled 3-track EP in 2020 and their second EP "Nongqawuse" was released in 2022. [21] In addition to the international tours with Robyn Orlin's productions, uKhoiKhoi has performed at Sauti za Busara, an African music festival held annually in Zanzibar, Tanzania; [22] the 2025 Ruhrtriennale, a music and arts festival in Germany; [23] as well as at music festivals and events across South Africa, such as Mieliepop [24] and Fête de la Musique. [25]

Works and performances

Works for theatre and film

TitleDateEvent / Venue, City & CountryRole
Beauty remained for just a moment then returned gently to her starting position (by Robyn Orlin with Moving into Dance Mophatong) [26] 2012-2017Biennale de la danse, Lyon (France) (premiere, Sep 2012)Composer
Down To Earth (by Kieron Jina & Marc Philipp Gabriel) [27] [28] Feb 2017Tanzfabrik Berlin (Germany)Composer, performer
May 2017 Haus der Berliner Festspiele, Berlin (Germany)
Jul 2017 National Arts Festival, Makhanda (South Africa (SA))
Jungfrau (by Jade Bowers)Jun 2018National Arts Festival, [29] Makhanda (SA)Composer, performer
Festival Theaterformen, [30] Braunschweig (Germany)
Between Horizons (by Kieron Jina & Marc Philipp Gabriel) [31] Jul 2018National Arts Festival, Makhanda (SA)Composer, performer
Emoyeni (by Umlilo and Sean K) [32] Aug 2018Song production (funded by Pro Helvetia)Producer
Rise of the African Queer (by Kieron Jina) [33] Apr 2019 South African State Theatre, Pretoria (SA)Composer, performer
Strange Land (by Jade Bowers) [34] Jun 2019 Market Theatre, Johannesburg (SA)Composer
Shhh! The Musical (by Jade Bowers & University of Johannesburg (UJ) Arts Academy) [35] Oct 2019 University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg (SA)Composer, performer, song writer, arrangement, music director
Pause (by Kieron Jina) [36] Feb 2020Centre for the Less Good Idea, Johannesburg (SA)Composer
Darkie (by Katlego Letsholonyane) [37] Mar 2020POPArt Theatre, Johannesburg (SA)Composer, performer, sound design
Chameleon Home (by Kieron Jina & Mathias Becker) [38] Jul 2020Die Irritierte Stadt Online Festival (Germany)Composer, sound design
Mothers Grimm (by Jade Bowers & UJ Arts Academy)Jul 2020Virtual National Arts Festival, [39] Makhanda (SA) Film composer
Oct 2022Vrystaat Arts Festival, [40] Bloemfontein (SA)Composer, performer
Zebras Crossing Video Series (by The Zebras Crossing Collective) [41] 2021Online videos (funded by British Council)Concept design, producer, composer
Pusha Pressa Phanda (by Dick d’vLz Reubïn) [42] [43] Released May 2021Film (produced by Layla Swart) [44] Film composer
The Empire Builders (by Dintshitile Mashile & Kwasha! Theatre Company) [45] [46] Feb 2021Online (binaural audio play)Composer, recording, music & sound director
We wear our wheels with pride, we slap your streets with color…we say ‘bonjour’ to satan in 1820 (by Robyn Orlin with Moving into Dance Mophatong & uKhoiKhoi)Jun 2021Paris [47] (France)Composer, performer
Aug 2022Tanzforum Berlin [48] (Germany)
Nov–Dec 2022Romaeuropa Festival, [49] Rome (Italy)
Paris Autumn Festival, [7] Paris; Toulouse [50] & Le Havre [51] (France)
Luxembourg [52] (Luxembourg)
Dusseldorf [53] (Germany)
Mar 2023Oslo [54] (Norway)
Amsterdam [55] & The Hague [56] (Netherlands)
Aug 2023Zürich [57] (Switzerland)
Dec 2023Bruges [58] (Belgium)
Sep 2024JOMBA! Dance Festival, [10] Durban & Johannesburg (SA)
Oct 2024Fribourg [59] (Switzerland)
Brussels [60] (Belgium)
Le Mans [61] (France)
Mar 2025London [62] (United Kingdom)
Oct 2025Asia+ Festival 2025 [8] (Hong Kong)
Seoul [9] (South Korea)
Breaking Down Walls (by Kieron Jina) [63] Jun 2022TalentLab (Luxembourg)Composer, performer
Skeletons (by Jade Bowers & UJ Arts Academy) [64] [65] Premiered Jul 20222022 Durban International Film Festival, Durban (SA)Film composer
African Exodus / Surplus Circus (by Sbusiso Shozi & Nhalnhla Mahlangu with the Centre for the Less Good Idea) [66] Feb 2023 Komische Oper Berlin (Germany)Performer
The Paper Double-Bill (by Jade Bowers & UJ Arts Academy) [67] Feb 2023 University of Johannesburg (Johannesburg) SAComposer, performer
Dante and Mashudu (by Johannesburg School of Mask and Movement Theatre) [68] Mar 2023Pretoria, Johannesburg, Durban & Cape Town (SA)Composer, sound design, music director
Breaths of Joburg (by Jade Bowers, Alex Halligey & UJ Arts Academy) [69] Apr 2023 Hillbrow, Johannesburg (SA)Composer, performer
Hybrid (by The Zebras Crossing Collective) [70] Jun 2023TalentLab (Luxembourg)Concept design, producer, composer, performer
I Release You (by Kieron Jina) [71] Aug 2023Zürich (Switzerland)Composer
The Rise (by Kieron Jina) [72] Oct 2023Glasgow (Scotland)Composer
Spatial Fabrications: An Uninhabitable World (by PreEmpt Group Collective) [73] Oct–Nov 2023Fak’ugesi Creators Online ExhibitionComposer
How in salts desert is it possible to blossom... (by Robyn Orlin with Garage Dance Ensemble & uKhoiKhoi)Jun 2024Marseille, [11] Montpellier [12] & Toulouse [13] (France)Composer, performer
Nov-Dec 2024Romaeuropa Festival, [74] Rome (Italy)
Amsterdam [75] (Netherlands)
Paris [76] & Reims [77] (France)
Sep 2025 Ruhrtriennale 2025, [78] Essen (Germany)
A border is a line that birds cannot see (by Kieron Jina) [79] Jun 2025TalentLab (Luxembourg)Composer, performer
Gabo Legwala (by Modise Sekgothe)Jun 2025National Arts Festival, [18] Makhanda (SA) Soundscapist
Sep-Oct 2025Market Theatre, [19] Johannesburg (SA)
Genesis – The Beginning and End of Time (by Gregory Maqoma) [16] Aug 2025Kunstfest Weimar (Germany)Co-composer, performer

Performances with uKhoiKhoi

EventDateVenue
Social Distancing Festival [80] [81] 24 Mar 2020Online performance streamed from Toronto (Canada)
Credo-Memoration [82] 25 Jul 2020Online performance streamed from Johannesburg (SA)
Planet Afropunk [83] 22 Oct 2020Online performance streamed from the USA
Pendoring Advertising Awards13 Nov 2020 [84] Online performances streamed from Johannesburg (SA)
4 Nov 2021 [85]
Sol.i.dar.i.ty [86] 8 Apr 2021Online performance streamed from Switzerland
Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival [87] Dec 2021Online performance streamed from United Kingdom
2nd World Sound Concert [88] 27 Aug 2022 Joburg Theatre, Johannesburg (SA)
Queertopia [89] 10 Dec 2022Victoria Yards, Johannesburg (SA)
Mieliepop Festival [24] 2–4 Mar 2023Lothair, Mpumalanga (SA)
Fashion Forward: A Sonic Experience with Thebe Magugu and Spotify [90] 15 Apr 2023Nirox Sculpture Park, Johannesburg (SA)
Fête de la Musique [25] 24 Jun 2023Newtown Junction, Johannesburg (SA)
The Reimagining Heritage, Archives and Museums: Today/Tomorrow Convention [91] 13 Feb 2024 Iziko South African National Museum, Cape Town (SA)
2024 SoCreative Summit [92] 10 May 2024Victoria Yards, Johannesburg (SA)
Sauti za Busara [22] 14-16 Feb 2025 Stone Town, Zanzibar (Tanzania)
Ruhrtriennale [23] 7 Sep 2025Bochum (Germany)

References

  1. ↑ "Naledi Theatre Awards". naleditheatreawards.com. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  2. ↑ "Yogin Sullaphen". Fak'ugesi 2023. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  3. ↑ Naledi Theatre Awards (2019-03-11). "Naledi Award Nominations Revealed for Productions Staged in 2018". Artsvark. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  4. ↑ "Team". Dam Ditty Doo. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  5. ↑ "Jade Bowers". University of KwaZulu-Natal. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  6. ↑ "Beauty remained for just a moment then returned gently to her starting position...de Robyn Orlin". Sceneweb (in French). Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  7. 1 2 "Robyn Orlin, we wear our wheels with pride and slap your streets with color… we said 'bonjour' to satan in 1820…". Festival d'Automne à Paris. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  8. 1 2 "We Wear our Wheels with Pride - Robyn Orlin". Asia+ 2025. Retrieved 2025-11-07.
  9. 1 2 "We wear our wheels with pride… - Robyn Orlin". Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels. Retrieved 2025-11-07.
  10. 1 2 "uKhoiKhoi performs with legacy artist Robyn Orlin at JOMBA!". South Africa Today. 2024-08-26. Retrieved 2024-10-14.
  11. 1 2 "...How in salts desert is it possible to blossom... - Robyn Orlin, Garage Dance Ensemble, uKhoiKhoi". Festival de Marseille. Retrieved 2024-07-11.
  12. 1 2 "...How in salts desert is it possible to blossom..." Montpellier Danse (in French). Retrieved 2024-07-11.
  13. 1 2 "...How in salts desert is it possible to blossom..." Théâtre Garonne (in French). Retrieved 2024-07-11.
  14. ↑ Mdoda, Zama (2019-04-10). "Afropunk Interview: The Rise Of The African Queer". Afropunk. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  15. ↑ "About Greg Maqoma". gregmaqoma.com. Retrieved 2025-11-08.
  16. 1 2 "Gregory Maqoma: Genesis – The Beginning and End of Time". Kunstfest Weimar. Retrieved 2025-11-08.
  17. ↑ "Standard Bank Young Artist Awards". sponsorships.standardbank.com. Retrieved 2025-11-08.
  18. 1 2 "Gabo Legwala - Modise Sekgothe". National Arts Festival. Retrieved 2025-11-08.
  19. 1 2 "'Gabo Legwala': An Autobiographical Interrogation of Masculinities". The Market Theatre. Retrieved 2025-11-08.
  20. ↑ "uKhoiKhoi". Music in Africa. 2020-10-02. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  21. ↑ "uKhoiKhoi". bandcamp. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  22. 1 2 "Artists | Sauti za Busara Music Festival". Sauti za Busara. Retrieved 2025-11-08.
  23. 1 2 "Relaxed With ..." www.ruhrtriennale.de. Retrieved 2025-11-08.
  24. 1 2 "Mieliepop 2023: Full Line-Up Announced". SA Music Zone. 2023-02-09. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  25. 1 2 "Fête de la Musique 2023 Programme". fetedelamusiquejhb.co.za. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  26. ↑ "Robyn Orlin [Moving Into Dance Mophatong]– Beauty remained for just a moment then returned gently to her starting position..." Biennale de Lyon. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  27. ↑ "Down to Earth". www.goethe.de. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  28. ↑ "Down to Earth". Marc Philipp Gabriel. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  29. ↑ Kretzmann, Steve (2018-07-02). "Jungfrau: A glittering bait ball". The Critter. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  30. ↑ "Festival Theaterformen 2018: Jungfrau | Jade Bowers". LOT-Theater. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  31. ↑ "Between Horizons". Marc Philipp Gabriel. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  32. ↑ Mkhabela, Sabelo. "Watch Umlilo & Sean K's Video For 'Emoyeni'". www.okayafrica.com. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  33. ↑ Elizabeth, Marcia (2019-03-27). "'The Rise of the African Queer' discussing gender non-conforming issues and the triumph of African Art with performance". Bubblegum Club. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  34. ↑ Stones, Lesley (2019-06-03). "Strange Land: Moving and convincing picture of Tsafendas's world". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  35. ↑ "Shhh! :: The Musical". UJ Arts & Culture. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  36. ↑ "Programme 2 Performance". The Centre for the Less Good Idea. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  37. ↑ Chiyindiko, Tonderai (2020-03-06). "Darkie is a brave one-man, one-act production". The African Theatre Magazine. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  38. ↑ "Chameleon Home". DIE IRRITIERTE STADT. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  39. ↑ "Mothers' Grimm premieres at vNAF 2020". UJ Arts & Culture. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  40. ↑ "UJ Arts & Culture gears up for Vrystaat Arts Festival". UJ Arts & Culture. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  41. ↑ Riofrio, Paula Catalina (2023-02-17). "Exploring identity through movement | Review". Dance Art Journal. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  42. ↑ "Pusha Pressa Phanda (2021) | Full Cast & Crew". IMDb. Retrieved 2023-11-01.
  43. ↑ "Yogin Sullaphen | Composer". IMDb. Retrieved 2023-11-09.
  44. ↑ "Layla Swart | Producer, editor". IMDb. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  45. ↑ Rutter, Karen (2021-02-03). "The Empire Builders: Audio Theatre". WeekendSpecial. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  46. ↑ "The Empire Builders – An Immersive Audio Experience". www.inyourpocket.com. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  47. ↑ "We wear our wheels with pride and slap your streets with color … we said 'bonjour' to satan in 1820 … Robyn Orlin / Moving into Dance Mophatong". theatre-chaillot.fr (in French). Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  48. ↑ "Robyn Orlin / City Theater & Dance Group: We wear our wheels with pride ..." Tanzforum Berlin. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  49. ↑ "We wear our wheels with pride and slap your streets with color… | 2022 |". Romaeuropa. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  50. ↑ "We Wear Our Wheels with Pride... *". Théâtre Garonne (in French). Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  51. ↑ "We Wear Our Wheels With Pride… and Slap Your Streets With Color… We Said "bonjour" to Satan in 1820… · Robyn Orlin / Moving Into Dance Mophatong". Le Volcan (in French). Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  52. ↑ "We Wear Our Wheels with Pride… – Robyn Orlin". www.kinneksbond.lu (in German). Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  53. ↑ "Robyn Orlin / City Theater & Dance Group". tanzhaus-nrw.de. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  54. ↑ "Robyn Orlin – we wear our wheels with pride and slap your streets with color… we said 'bonjour' to satan in 1820…". Dansens Hus. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  55. ↑ "We wear our wheels with pride and slap your streets with color". Internationaal Theater Amsterdam. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  56. ↑ "Moving Into Dance Mophatong | Robyn Orlin – We wear our wheels with pride and slap your streets with color". www.amare.nl. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  57. ↑ "Zürcher Theater Spektakel 17.8.-3.9.23" (PDF). theaterspektakel.ch. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  58. ↑ "We wear our wheels with pride and slap your streets with color …". www.concertgebouw.be. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
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  60. ↑ "We wear our wheels with pride and slap your streets with color...We said "Bonjour" to Satan in 1820..." Les Halles de Schaerbeek. Retrieved 2024-10-14.
  61. ↑ "We wear our wheels with pride and slap your street with color..." Les Quinconces et L'Espal (in French). Retrieved 2024-10-14.
  62. ↑ "Robyn Orlin: We Wear our Wheels with Pride". South Bank London. Retrieved 2025-11-07.
  63. ↑ "TalentLab Brochure 2022" (PDF). theatres.lu. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  64. ↑ "UJ's experimental theatre film 'Skeletons' premieres at DIFF 2022". Creative Feel. 2022-07-12. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  65. ↑ "Skeletons". www.webtickets.co.za. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  66. ↑ "Surplus Circus / African Exodus". issuu.com/komische_oper. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  67. ↑ "UJ Arts & Culture kicks off 2023 with a double bill". UJ Arts & Culture. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  68. ↑ "Dante & Mashudu – Bridges Italy and South Africa". UJ Arts & Culture. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  69. ↑ "'Breaths of Joburg' hits the streets of Jozi". Creative Feel. 2023-04-28. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  70. ↑ "TalentLab Brochure 2023" (PDF). theatres.lu. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  71. ↑ "Kieron Jina | I Release You". www.theaterspektakel.ch. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  72. ↑ "AfriArtik – The Rise". Tramway. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  73. ↑ "Spatial Fabrications: An Uninhabitable World". Fak'ugesi 2023. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  74. ↑ "How in salts desert is it possible to blossom…". | 2024 | Romaeuropa. Retrieved 2025-11-07.
  75. ↑ "...How in salts desert is it possible to blossom..." Internationaal Theater Amsterdam. Retrieved 2025-11-07.
  76. ↑ "...How in salt deserts it is possible to blossom... Robyn Orlin". Théâtre de chaillot. 2024-11-27. Retrieved 2025-11-07.
  77. ↑ "Robyn Orlin - How in salts desert is it possible to blossom". manege-reims.eu (in French). Retrieved 2025-11-07.
  78. ↑ "…how in salts desert is it possible to blossom…". www.ruhrtriennale.de. Retrieved 2025-11-07.
  79. ↑ "TalentLAB: Soirée anniversaire 2 | culture". www.culture.lu. Retrieved 2025-11-08.
  80. ↑ "uKhoiKhoi – Indigenous Electro". The Social Distancing Festival. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  81. ↑ "Glastonbury cancelled? Come to the online 'social distancing festival'". BBC Newsday. 2020-03-24. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  82. ↑ "Credo-Memoration". www.quicket.co.za. Retrieved 2023-11-09.
  83. ↑ "Weekend Schedule! Don't Miss Planet Afropunk". AFROPUNK. 2020-10-22. Retrieved 2023-11-09.
  84. ↑ Lion-Cachet, Francois (2020-11-23). "uKhoiKhoi se weergawe van Suikerbossie tydens die Pendorings". Klyntji (in Afrikaans). Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  85. ↑ "Pendoring Award Winners Announced". Modern Marketing. 2021-11-10. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  86. ↑ "sol·i·dar·i·ty / Live Stream & Concert". www.antjeschupp.de. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  87. ↑ "Watch: Unbound Listening with Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival". British Council | Music. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  88. ↑ Shumba, Ano (2022-08-17). "SA: Joburg Theatre to stage 2022 World Sound Concert". Music in Africa. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  89. ↑ Maako, Keitumetse (2022-11-26). "Everything to know about Queertopia, the festival reimagining a new world". news24. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  90. ↑ Nkonki, Anita (2023-04-19). "Thebe Magugu fuses fashion and music at sculpture park". IOL. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  91. ↑ "Reimagining Heritage, Archives and Museums: Today/Tomorrow convening presented a platform for important heritage conversations". IQOQO. 2024-02-21. Retrieved 2024-07-11.
  92. ↑ "2024 SoCreative Summit Programme" (PDF). SoCreative Summit. Retrieved 2024-07-11.
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