MTN Bushfire, taking place in
Swaziland and named Africa’s Top Festival by the BBC, is known as one of the
most inclusive and diverse festivals in the world. Entering its 2nd decade, the
festival’s commitment to the arts, the environment, and social change is even
stronger than ever.
As Africa’s premiere world music
festival, MTN Bushfire has always had strong African roots and this year is no
exception, with MTN Bushfire proud to announce the triumphant return of Kwaito
superstars TKZee.
Congolese performer Baloji, and the
Taureg rebel Bombino and the Belgian / South African newcomer Petite Noir are
amongst the first batch of artists confirmed to grace the MTN Bushfire 2017
main stage.
Fans of 90’s Kwaito can rejoice in the
return of arguably one of the original Kwaito acts TKZee helped to define the
era. Made up of three school friends who have all made a name for themselves
individually, Zwai Bala, Kabelo Mabalane and Tokollo Tshabalala are BACK with
all of their 90’s hits including Take it Eezy, Palafala,
Shibobo, and
more. Its time to get retro and groove to this
distinctly South African sound.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUmh1t7fSvs
Congolese performer
Baloji, is a poet, composer, lyricist/beatmaker, scriptwriter, actor, and video
artist. His genre busting music is elegantly poised at the crossroads of
African music, rap music, American music (soul, funk, jazz) and even deep house
that has its roots in part in the region of Belgium where Baloji grew up.
Baloji means “man of
science” in Swahili, but during the colonial period, that meaning shifted to
“man of the occult sciences and sorcery.” Regardless – of interpretation,
Baloji places his resilience at the center of his work, reconciling all of
these influences to enrich his projects. The French singer has achieved
international acclaim since the release of his debut album Hotel Impala (2008)
and has gone on to perform across the world in over 200 shows.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbFPxMo48AA
Taureg music and culture
has captured the world’s attention in recent years, and one of its most
successful sons is Bombino. Born in the Ifoghas Tribe of the Taureg people, who
have long been recognized as warriors, traders and travelers of the Sahara
Desert and as people of grace and nobility as well as fighters of fierce
reputation, Bombino is the epitome of his people and his culture.
A selfproclaimed rebel,
two of his musicians were killed during the 2nd Taureg
rebellion of 2017. In exile in Burkina Faso, Bombino’s long journey as a desert
blues musician even took him to the United States where he had the chance to
record a version of the Rolling Stones classic “Hey Negrita” alongside Stones’
members Keith Richards and Charlie Watts.
Bombino’s first
internationally released album, Agadez, was
produced by Ron Wyman and released in 2011 receiving worldwide acclaim. His
follow up, Nomad, debuted at #1 on the Billboard
World Music album chart and has earned rave reviews from top media outlets
around the world including BBC World Service, which calls it “utterly, utterly
fantastic” and Rolling Stone, which calls Nomad “a perfect match of sound and
soul [that] introduces a new guitar hero.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ss9Znucx4GM
Petite Noir is a young
South African of Belgian and Angolan descent and is a songwriter, producer and
musician who defies description. Petite Noir was one half of Popskarr with
Spoek Mathambo and was also a member of the music collective Capital of Cool.
Since his recording debut in 2012 Petite Noir has created what he describes as
"noir wave" or "new wave with an African aesthetic." Petite
Noir is one of the most exciting new electronic music artists to emerge from
the thriving Cape Town scene.
Every year around 25 000 fans come to this festival.
Will you be there?
For more information,
tickets, etc, please visit www.bushfire.com,
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/MTNBUSHFIRE
Twitter: @bushfirefest
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