Nadia Neophytou

Nadia Neophytou

Angelique Kidjo has more than an incredible voice, she has a conscience, writes Nadia Neophytou.

Nadia Neophytou asks Kora founder Ernest Adjovi how he keeps on going, and why.

Kenyan rapper Emmanuel Jal’s childhood as a soldier in war-torn Sudan has brought him into the spotlight. Until last week’s Global Hip-Hop Summit, it was a story most South Africans had yet to hear. Nadia Neophytou reports.

The Exclusive Books Homebru selection of local creative writing examines the place of South Africans in a world in transition, writes Nadia Neophytou.

"I recorded the album in Xhosa, not to show off the fact that I could, I did it for me to feel complete," says celebrated singer Simphiwe Dana. Along with Cesaria Evora, she chooses to sing in her home language — and is being acknowledged for it, writes Nadia Neophytou.

A Led Zeppelin, Cat Stevens and Snoop Dogg fan, Katie Melua represents the new generation of artists on the music scene. Extensive travel has taught Melua the ways of the world, writes Nadia Neophytou.

Nadia Neophytou takes a look at <i>Sophiatown</i>, a movie that focuses on the musical aspect of a repressed era.

Redd-Angel, formerly a duo, is now just one man — but he is conquering the world all by himself, writes Nadia Neophytou.

"He is the biggest-selling artist in this country and the biggest act in the world". So gushes Arts Alive organiser Nomahlubi Semamane. Nadia Neophytou asks whether the world’s biggest rap star can unite audiences and save Johannesburg’s premier arts event.

"’My trumpet became my weapon,’ writes Masekela of his response to the time. It is this weapon that forms the focus of the book and links the events of Masekela’s life as he becomes one of South Africa’s prize-fighter musicians." Nadia Neophytou reviews <i>Still Grazing: The Musical Journey of Hugh Masekela</i>.

"I could tell you that we came back because we love the weather here…because you’ve got a beautiful country…but the real reason, " Adam Duritz told the crowd, "is because you’ve got such lovely women." Cue screaming crowd, one for the remark, two for the arrival of the American band Counting Crows, writes Nadia Neophytou.

"There’s been too much Missy Eliott and way too little Lebo Mathosa on my poor eardrums," types Thando Mkhize. Nadia Neophytou considers how the increased local content quota will benefit music.

With her wild stage antics, her defiant lyrics and rock-doused attitude, Karen Zoid is giving Afrikaans music a new pop identity. She talks to Jason Curtis and Nadia Neophytou about Afrikaners, rock’n’roll and her new album.

The opening of Cape Town’s International Convention Centre provided a platform for a new form of dialogue, writes Nadia Neophytou.

Seventeen years ago a certain concert promoter wouldn’t put Lucky Dube on the bill for one of his outdoor concerts. Today he is one of South Africa’s biggest-selling artists, writes Nadia Neophytou.

This weekend hip-hoppers in the country’s two big centres welcome Blackalicious, an outfit that will be riding on a different current to other big-name visitors who have preceded them, writes Nadia Neophytou.