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Hugh Masekela

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Intentional: Billy Monama quotes Nelson Mandela on the power of
music to elevate and liberate, to unite people in a shared voice.

Billy Monama is staging a revival of memory

The Rebirth of Ubuntu returns with a focus on legacy, as Billy Monama pushes for music that remembers, questions and resonates beyond the stage

Angélique Kidjo is still unstoppable at 65

Angélique Kidjo is still moving the world

The Beninese legend discusses the inspiration behind her latest album HOPE!!, honouring her mother while continuing a decades-long journey of musical exploration and connection

Upward trajectory: Nanette Sphesihle Nobethu Mbili Jolobe has come a long way from Durban where she was born and grew up listening to the R&B legends that would come to influence her later sound. Photo: Supplied

Nanette is going to keep showing up

With a deluxe edition of her latest album on the way and a milestone performance only days away, Nanette is ready to step into the next stage of her ascendancy

Salif Keita  celebrates Montreux’s arrival in Africa, urging artists to honour their roots while embracing music as a universal language

Salif Keita: Africa’s golden voice on jazz, legacy and his love of South Africa

The Malian legend celebrates Montreux’s arrival in Africa, urging artists to honour their roots while embracing music as a universal language

Moving people: Congolese-born musician Tresor will bring his 10-piece band to the Joy of Jazz festival in Joburg this weekend. Photo: Supplied

‘I Want People to Dance’: Tresor Talks Music, Legacy and Joy of Jazz

Tresor reflects on a decade of award-winning African pop, his groundbreaking collaborations with Drake and Hugh Masekela and the music that inspires him today

Township child: Sipho ‘Hotstix’ Mabuse will perform at BMW Art Generation Vol III on 30 August at the Nirox Sculpture Park in Johannesburg. Photo: Arthur Dlamini

Hotstix, hot legacy

From Burn Out to BMW Art Generation, Sipho ‘Hotstix’ Mabuse remains a cultural giant shaping South Africa’s sound and spirit.

Jazz in focus: The Peffers Fine Art booth at the RMB Latitudes Art Fair in Cape Town

Jazz in focus: Capturing a sound in image

From rare Ernest Cole prints to iconic portraits of Makeba and Masekela, this show captures the musicians and the energy of live music itself

Unknown place: Simphiwe Dana says that the album she is working on could be the final one she writes but that she will carry on performing and collaborating.

Simphiwe Dana reflects on two decades of music

The musician talks about her long career, her legacy and the spirit guiding what could be her final album

Blowing up a storm: Sydney Mavundla released his second album, titled Dirge for Our Fathers, last year.

Sydney Mavundla: When every day is Sunday

Jazz musician Sydney Mavundla reflects on the legacy and evolution of the genre and respecting tradition while embracing the future

Fela Kuti

Forecasting Africa’s 2025: Sound of change echoes Fela’s rebellion and Masekela’s vision

Africa cannot afford leaders disconnected from the demands of its people, the global political economy and the continent’s emerging role in world affairs

Morley Nkosi, who has just released his autobiography The Way Home

Morley Nkosi finds his way back home in his book

His autobiography The Way Home is an account of the travails of life in exile

Bring him back: Zoë Modiga intends to pay homage to Hugh Masekela’s generosity of spirit when she performs at the HughFest on 1 December. Photo: Tatenda Chidora

Zoë Modiga and the politics of love

The singer-songwriter speaks about love, her three albums and how her fledgling career was boosted by jazz legend Hugh Masekela

True blue: Nico Phooko transforms old denim garments into works of art with his signature technique using paint and bleach.  (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

Nico Phooko: The music painter who makes art you can wear

Artist blends music and art to transform live performances into spontaneous masterpieces using his signature bleach technique on denim

At the top of his voice: Musician and vocalist Siyabonga Mthembu is the leader of the band The Brother Moves On.  (Tseliso Monaheng)

Siyabonga Mthembu: Musical prayers said by hymn-self

The self-described ‘performance artist who happens to sing’ speaks to us about his work

Amen: Local musician Zoë Modiga thinks while rankings can be valuable because they are aspirational, they are flawed.

Apple’s not-so-top 100 list: Is it rotten to the core?

The Mail & Guardian asked some of our favourite musicians and critics what they thought of the list and to tell us which three South African albums they believed should be on…