Afro fusion
[b] Vincent Mantsoe and Sylvia Glasser are the pioneering figures behind "Afrofusion," a contemporary African movement vocabulary and technique that emerged in response to the political changes following the near-end and end of the apartheid regime, a system of racial segregation that took place in South Africa from 1948 to 1991.
[18] "Zulu Screams" demonstrated Bibi Bourelly, a German singer-songwriter of Haitian and Moroccan descent, singing in Lingala alongside British-Nigerian musical artist Maleek Berry, who was described as an "afro-fusionist" by Pitchfork.
[41] Marabi evolved from makwaya which merged European hymnology with spirituals as well as close and open harmony between the 1890s to 1920s onwards, it incorporated a variety of elements such as jazz, ragtime, Pedi and Tswana bass music as well as keyboard adaptations of Xhosa folk melodies.
Starting from within the camp of the defranchised (whether "exiles" like Miriam Makeba and Hugh Masekela or "inziles" like Dolly Rathebe and the bands Sakhile and Bayete) these dissenting voices were joined by troubadours and folk musicians of the more progressive elite, such as the Lindberg-duo, Jeremy Taylor, and later, the highly-censored Roger Lucey.Slyvia Glasser's afrofusion arose from the combination of African music and ritual and incorporating Western contemporary dance forms into her choreography.
When Vincent Mantsoe assumed artistic leadership of MIDM, his exploration of Eastern dance forms and mysticism influenced a shift in technique and training.
[53][54] The debut of Stimela occurred at a perfectly opportune moment, stepping in to fill the gap left by afrofusion band, Sakhile's (comprising Sipho Gumede, Khaya Mahlangu and Don Laka) sabbatical.
They served as the resident band at Maseru's Victoria Hotel, entertaining notable figures like Miriam Makeba and Hugh Masekela, who were in exile from South Africa due to their political views.
The polyphonic group comprised founder and leader Marie Daulne along with Sabine Kabongo, Sylvie Nawasadio, Cecilia Kankoda and Celine Thooft.
Daulne collaborated with a range of artists such as South African male a capella ensemble Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Americans actor and rapper Common and Michael Franti.
It was the first time it had been transmitted simultaneously to third-generation cellphones in nine European countries, accessible to approximately 20 million subscribers, as reported by MTV Networks International.
[9] In 2008, Botswana newspaper Mmegi's writer Tshireletso Motlogelwa wrote a think-piece regarding resemblances between fusion band Freshlyground and the acts that came before them, namely predecessors Mango Groove.
[14] Simphiwe Dana released her Kulture Noir album, which incorporated elements of afro-juju jazz guitarism by Kunle Ayo, harmonica played by Adam Glasser, Gordon Williams' funk afro-fusion reinterpretation of Miriam Makeba's music, ululation, maskandi-jazz, and acappella.
[85] Afrofusion dancer Luyanda Sidiya choreographed Umnikelo, featured in the double bill Mayhem, and it won the Silver Standard Bank Ovation Award at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown that year.
Glasser and Kint were honored with knighthoods for their individual efforts in advancing relations between South Africa and the Netherlands spanning the period from apartheid onwards.
Sylvia Glasser and Maria Kint were bestowed with the Order of Oranje-Nassau for their contributions to democracy, cultural collaboration between South Africa and the Netherlands, education and the arts.
[21] Bacardi house pioneer DJ Spoko, musical artist and afrofuturist Spoek Mathambo, guitarist Andre Geldenhuys, drummer Michael Buchanan and Bhekisenzo Cele formed the ensemble, Fantasma.
[84] Following 17 years of touring the world, Zolani Mahola, the lead singer of Freshlyground, revealed her decision to embark on her solo career under the name "The One Who Sings".
In an exclusive interview, the singer discussed her shift towards a new direction, where she planned to dedicate more time to public and motivational speaking while exploring a different musical path with her own compositions.
Mahola expressed her intention to continue showcasing her ability to bridge social, racial and language divides through her music as she launched her solo career.
[97] In 2020, rapper and singer Jidenna's "Feng Shui" song which was featured in HBO's comedy-drama TV series, Insecure was described as an 808s-meets-afrofusion inclusive of a sped-up, highlife guitar sample.
The album included guest appearances by Seun Kuti, GoldLink, Mr Eazi, Ethiopian-American rapper Mereba and American musical ensemble St.
[104] Choreographer and dancer, Gregory Maqoma performed at the Baxter Theatre in Cape Town, alongside former Freshlyground band member, Zolani Mahola.
The album included Senegalese politician and mbalax musician Youssou N'Dour, Ghanaian reggae-dancehall artist Shatta Wale, Beenie Man, Shaggy, Popcaan and Made Kuti.
Motau articulated that the performance aimed to highlight Africa's rich cultural heritage, the significance of embracing one's roots, and delved into the journey of personal growth and societal advancement.
[109] Ugandan songwriter-singer Joshua Baraka's sophomore EP, Watershed which fused soul, afrofusion and R'n'B debuted at No.1 on Uganda's Apple Music.
He began with portraying urban sophistication in a silk suit, then transitioned through a process of initiation and ritual observance while wearing a cowhide tunic, connecting with the memory of his rural ancestor.
Magqoma further stipulated that "the return of Exit/Exist to the South African audience is not only befitting to the extraordinary journey I have taken so far, but marks 150 years since the passing of my ancestor, Chief Maqoma".
Accompanied by an all-female band, Mda's performance blended traditional Xhosa sounds with afro-fusion elements, inclusive of storytelling and sacred African spirituality.
It gained recognition for fusing elements from hip hop, amapiano, afrobeats, deep house, and a "neo-fuji" aesthetic, creating a distinct rhythmic sound.
Douglas Markowitz, writing for the Grammy Awards in 2024, observed that while the song paid tribute to the amapiano genre, it in actual fact, reimagined certain elements such as the iconic log drum.
