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Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse performs on the Kippies stage during the Cape Town International Jazz Festival. Photo: Armand Hough

Forty years of fire: Sipho ‘Hotstix’ Mabuse ignites Cape Town Jazz Fest

Witnessing his fans dancing to ‘Burn Out’ proved to Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse his enduring power. The legend talks about his energy-filled performance at the Cape Town International…

British multi-instrumentalist and seven-time Grammy winner Jacob Collier performs on the Kippies stage at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival in Cape Town. Picture / Henk Kruger / Independent Media

Reinventing the Cape Town International Jazz Festival without losing the jazz

Co-director Georgia Jones says the festival’s future depends on championing African artists, drawing younger audiences and making space for genres like amapiano without losing…

Bronze monument of South African jazz legend, Kippie Moeketsi, outside the old Kippies Jazz Club in the Market Theatre complex, Johannesburg. (Hoberman Collection/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

‘From Kippie to Kippies and Beyond’: A treasure trove of jazz history

Journalist and author Sam Mathe’s ‘From Kippie to Kippies And Beyond’ profiles four generations of South African musicians, most of whom had been languishing in obscurity

Marcus Wyatt has been experimenting with new ways to make music for digital stages. (Photo: Stéphane Olivier Vuille)

The Happenstance at the House on the Hill

During the grind of lockdown, musicians exchanged notes on modes of creating through the barrier

Jonas Gwangwa often turns to the piano to drive a point home in South African Blues

Exile, exhilaration and Jonas Gwangwa’s case of the ‘South African Blues’

The 1990 documentary ‘South African Blues’ offers insight into the effects of exile on Jonas Gwangwa’s psyche

The Portfolio: Siphiwe Mhlambi on Jonas Gwanga, ‘a proper human being’

Siphiwe Mhlambi spent several years photographing his friend Jonas Gwangwa as he performed. Mhlambi spoke to the Mail & Guardian about their relationship

The 1978 republication of Sol Plaatje’s Mhudi (Heinemann Press) features an image Mpumie Moholo

Nompumelelo Ebronah Moholo: The first lady of jazz

Mpumie Moholo (1947-2021), who passed this week, was the engine driving the success of her husband, jazz drummer Louis Moholo-Moholo

The year the music died — almost

Half of the participants in a recent study on the live music industry are likely to quit their craft

Graphic: John McCann

Dear Cyril, sign the Copyright Amendment Bill

Reasonable time has now passed for you to act, say the signatories of this open letter to the president and Cabinet ministers

“When I walked out many people approached me. They wanted to be close. I was so excited. I’ll never forget it.” (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

Slice of life: ‘Most lovely night of my life’

‘I remember that I was supposed to perform about two or three songs. But the DJ ended up adding another song because everybody was just having fun’

Former GCIS head, Mzwanele Manyi. (David Harrison/M&G)

Slice of Life: Learning from a place of failure

To find self-value in an industry that at times makes artists feel small can be a lifelong journey

Spoek Mathambo performing at Bassline in Newtown

​What does foreign validation of SA music really count for?

The need for cosigns from non-Africans is a long-standing feature of the South African music industry that undermines our artists’ capabilities.

Lau has been in Johannesburg promoting his new album.

​’Examples’ shows us the musical law of Eric Lau

With talented friends around him, the electronic music producer is recrafting instrumental rap with his latest album.

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​Babes Wodumo: The queen of gqom with dololo cares

She has no concerns but – as the new ‘Mercedes’ single suggests – the celebrity trap awaits her.

Awkward frontman Linda Buthelezi has returned with a quiet

Linda Buthelezi and his new God Sons and Daughter outfit re-emerges revived

After years of hiding and seeking, the former BLK JKS frontman has again reappeared armed with a fresh approach to his work.

Paolo Nutini makes a comeback with new album

The Scottish singer-songwriter has released his first album in five years, titled "Caustic Love".

We’ve found Onyeabor, but don’t ask about Russia

In hiding: The determinedly elusive musician William Onyeabor was finally tracked down in his home town Enugu in Nigeria this year.

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Britpop vets Blur hint at possible new album

Blur frontman Damon Albarn has told a concert crowd that the band’s visit to Hong Kong is a chance for them to "record another record".

Friday Q&A: Brenda Mtambo

Brenda Mtambo is ­taking centre stage, but on her own terms — rejecting trends to follow her heart.

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Miguel: Inheriting Prince’s throne

Performing in SA this weekend, Grammy Award-winning R&B singer Miguel speaks to the M&G about being a "product", making musical compromises and more.