Music

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Gig Guide: The weekend is for the 12th African Women Writers’ Symposium, Mimi Mtshali to perform Khaya Lami, ICA Live Art Festival returns, Our Origin Festival 2026 and Zoë Modiga returns with When The Rain Comes

Discover South Africa's top cultural events, featuring the Our Origin Festival in the Cradle of Humankind, jazz by Mimi Mtshali, Zoë Modiga's latest music, the African Women…

Sisonke Xonti finds his way back to the light

Acclaimed saxophonist Sisonke Xonti reflects on fatherhood, family loss, and finding resilience as he returns with his third studio album, uKholo.

Sunnier forecast: Langa Mavuso’s album Therapy was written in the wake of his partner’s death. Now, a year later, he releases Therapy: The Other Side, his progress report. Photos: Supplied

Langa Mavuso is on the other side of grief

Marking a decade in music, award-winning singer Langa Mavuso releases ‘Therapy: The Other Side’, shifting from mourning and heartbreak to joy, abundance, and theatrical stagecraft.

Image: Supplied

Ex-gang leader sentenced to 40 years to life for Tupac Shakur’s 1996 murder

Former gang leader Duane 'Keffe D' Davis has been sentenced to 40 years to life in prison for orchestrating the 1996 Las Vegas drive-by shooting that killed hip-hop icon Tupac…

Indelible storyteller: Pilani is a singer-songwriter, poet and TV presenter with seven albums behind her and an eighth on the way. She has a Sama on the shelf, four Netflix syncs to her name and performances in more than 25 countries across Europe and Africa.  She also founded the Folklore Festival. Photos: Supplied

Pilani Bubu is defying gravity

Award-winning musician Pilani Bubu has spent 15 years writing her own playbook. As she releases her introspective new single 'Caged Heart', she reflects on creative independence,…

Musical life: Miriam Altman started by playing classic music, opera . . . then corporate. Now she’s into jazz. Photos: Supplied

Miriam Altman is finding a voice beyond the boardroom

Known for her leadership in economics and business, Miriam Altman makes an unexpected pivot to jazz with her debut album, The Butterfly Project, exploring themes of renewal and…

Gig Guide: Sun Quintet return with Winter Sun, Olefied Khetha features Big Zulu on iStep Father Remix, 20 years of Back To The City and Vuyo Viwe is holding up a mirror of reflection

Back To The City marks 20 years with an all-star hip-hop line-up, alongside fresh releases from Sun Quintet, Olefied Khetha featuring Big Zulu, and Vuyo Viwe.

Freddie Jackson, R&B singer behind Rock Me Tonight, dies at 70

Acclaimed American R&B and soul singer Freddie Jackson, best known for timeless hits including 'Rock Me Tonight' and 'You Are My Lady', has died at the age of 70.

Finding her footing: Zolani Mahola says the joyfulness and sense of reclamation so evident in her upcoming album are the product of years of internal work, during which she investigated her own identity and purpose. Photo: Aron Halevi

Zolani Mahola wants to shatter your idea of her

Former Freshlyground lead singer Zolani Mahola opens up about her joyful upcoming album 'People Power', healing after divorce, reconnecting with her ancestors, and reclaiming her…

Gig Guide: SA Fashion Week is upon us, Kayla Praise has released Inhliziyo, Poetry Africa reveals full programme, Origins Centre presents Henrietta Scholtz in Planetary Cognitive Ecologies: Gondwana and Espacio Dios returns with I Am You

Stay updated with South Africa's vibrant arts and culture scene, featuring SA Fashion Week highlights, Poetry Africa's 30th festival programme, new music from Espacio Dios and…

Joy of Jazz. Image supplied/Instagram

A weekend where jazz didn’t just play, but lived

The 27th Standard Bank Joy of Jazz delivered a transcendent weekend of music at the Sandton Convention Centre, bridging generations through standout international sets and an…

Living on: Busi Mhlongo's legacy is easy to hear in the voices of her descendants, the many musicians she inspired. Photos: Supplied

Three voices, one spirit: honouring Busi Mhlongo at Joy of Jazz

At the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz, vocalists Zawadi Yamungu, Xolisa Dlamini, and Buhlebendalo join forces to celebrate the enduring legacy and fearless spirit of music icon Busi…

Gig Guide: Gert-Johan Coetzee’s opens first retail boutique, Nádine and Bo release We Are the Fire, Ndu Shezi releases Gugu Lami, Bafunny Bafunny brings the laughs and Comic Con Africa comes to Johannesburg

Discover what is happening in entertainment: Comic Con Africa heads to Joburg, Trevor Noah leads Bafunny Bafunny, Gert-Johan Coetzee opens his first retail boutique, plus fresh…

Street project: JayJayy’s diversity is reflected in the song. Photo: Supplied

Gig Guide: Zakes Bantwini and Zolani Mahola release an anthem, JayJayy and W4de’s 2SPIN out now and Sobzeen releases Nguni Tales

Explore the latest South African music releases, including an inspiring new anthem from Zakes Bantwini and Zolani Mahola, JayJayy and W4de's collaborative EP '2SPIN', and…

Stylistic: Birdie's song speaks about the land not just being empty but that it carries generations of memory.

Birdie Mboweni turns anthropology into song

Musician and anthropologist Tribute Birdie Mboweni discusses her upcoming album Matimu, blending academic research on protected areas, history, and indigenous knowledge into song.