Simphiwe Dana

“It’s testament to Simphiwe Dana’s cross-generational appeal that reviews of her debut album lavished her with comparisons to artists ranging from Miriam Makeba to American soul powerhouse, Lauryn Hill.” BBC Music

Defining her own style as Modern African Soul, Simphiwe Dana is one of South Africa’s absolute shooting stars whose music possesses a timeless revolutionary message. With two commercially-successful and critically-acclaimed albums to her credit, Dana presents pure soul and innovative playfulness. Her lyrics speak mainly of the significance of tradition, but also of the struggle of self-confidence and freedom, especially freedom for women.

Dana was musically schooled in a church choir in East Cape; she names jazz legends Lena Horne and Sarah Vaughan as her direct influences and cites reggae, jive and traditional Xhosa music alongside the powerful singing of her mother as her inspiration. Dana’s music, at times politically charged, is always sensual and enchanting, and draws upon her upbringing in the Transkei.

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