Waving the South African Flag Abroad
When it comes to South African Reggae Artists on an international setting, only one name comes to mind or gets to be mentioned. Cos mainstream media only know so.
Yet there are quite a few who have gone outernational and made a name for themselves in the circles them move in.
MzansiReggae salutes some ah dem artists who ah gwaan foreign and proudly waving the South African Red Gold & Green Banner.
Nkululeko ‘Black Dillnger’ Madolo
Hailed as South Africa’s Sizzla, mainly for his deliverance and only because the mainstream is always looking for the next Sizzla or Lucky Dube, the label is inevitable. But Black Dillinger to his credit has his own unique style which is influenced by his background an upbringing.
Black Dillinger’s talent was recognized for the first time internationally, when a song called BIG TROUBLE was featured in the renowned German Riddim Magazine. Soon, the young Rastafarian was invited to play his first gig in Europe. It took just one performance at Berlin’s famous Yaam Club to convince Ganjaman, top-producer at the German Reggae label MKZWO, of the enormous potential of the young African. ‘ Source: Reggaeville.com
Since then he has graced the stages of renowned international Reggae Festivals in Europe like the Summer Jam and Chiemsee Reggae Festival and more. Has toured extensively in Europe; He has featured in the Ganstalaw Riddim with a stinging anti-bush song America and in the Grow with me riddim with a ballade It’s Alright. Collaborated with Rebellion the Recaller – a fellow Gambian Artist also based in Germany, Cali P from Switzerland and has worked with the legendary Boddy Digital. His sophomore Album – Love Life was recorded in Germany over a period of two years.
He is currently headlining the Reggae Brings Back Love Uganda Tour 2013 longside Rebellion The Recaller from Gambia. Touching down in Kampala, Arua, Mbarara & Kigali.
Black Dillinger also tours extensively back a yard, collaborating with Mzansi’s finest and featuring in major Reggae events like the recently launched Reggae Xplosion, an exploration of local talent produced by Lioness Productions; embarking on a road show with his – Alluttah Continua One Night Reggae Show ~ Live and Direct; and shooting his videos locally to showcase where he ah come from.
Black Dillinger – certainly one of the most promising new voices in international reggae music!’ so seh Reggaeville.
TEBA
TEBA, ‘The Original Social Worker’ is a Cape Town based Reggae Artist. Born & raised in Gugs. Always championing the cause of the voiceless . After collaborating on an album with African Dope Records, he recorded his solo debut album ’20-5-2-1 Manifesto’ feat. Dubmasta China & EJ von Lyrik on production duties & EJ, Tumi (from Tumi & The Volume) & Daddy Spencer on vocals (to name a few). One of the tracks Gatveni is featured on a German compilation called African Rebel Music. Teba has performed at major international festivals including The Wurzburg Afrika Festival (Germany), Rototom Reggae Sunsplash (Italy) as well as in France, Reunion Islands, Australia, New Zealand, South Pacific Islands, Solomon Islands & Finland. Source: African Dope Publishing
Holding it down for the Sistas, Representing for the SistaSouljahs.
Ms Nkulee Dube is keeping her father’s legacy alive on international reggae Stages from the Americas to Australia and Africa. Continuing the saga, wowing audiences across the continent with her own brand of Ethno Ragga, doing it ‘her Way’. Her stage performance is engaging, her energy is contagious, her backup singers as energetic and colourful and the band members clearly enjoying themselves. She has matured tremendously after being catapulted on world stages soon after the tragic passing of her beloved dad. She stepped in those shoes graciously.
In 2012 she was nominated in the following categories: Best Female Vocalist | Best Song “Luv the Way” | Best Album – “My Way” | Best Music Video – “Who Dem” | Best New Entertainer and Most Promising Entertainer at the 31st Annual International Reggae and World Music Awards. IRWMA
Nkulee Dube is a regular at major international Festivals, you can youtube her and you will get a full list of her performances abroad.
Gwaan Empress, show ‘em what yu got!
Al Capone JJ (Vusumzi Ngubane) aka Lyrikal Mafiah the yute with a natural auto tune has performed at “Afrika Festival” (Germany), Rototom Sunsplash (Italy), LakeSplash (Solvenia), the World Body Painting Festival (Italy), as well as in Austria, Great Britian and Scandinavia. JJ has been support act and shared stage with artists like Gentleman, Capleton, Luciano, Eeek-A-Mouse, Morgan Heritage, Jah Mason just to mention a few. When not on tour, he is based in Berlin where he run tings as MC at clubs like Kiki Blofelf, Yaam, Casiopaia and Frystil.Source:
He grew up in the township of Gugulethu outside Cape Town, South Africa. A member of the indomitable Chronic Clan~ A Cape Town Crew that boasts names like Black Dillinger, Blak Kalamawi, Zoro, Crosby and more. JJ established himself with his rudeboy style and massive vocal hooks.
His first Album No Offence was produced in Berlin working with the Sound Warriors. He was also recruited to become a member of ANG ~ Alliance New Generation run by the mighty Bounty Killer. Source: Things of That Nature
He is also very grounded to his roots and has established his own label back a yard.
Ras Dumisani A South African reggae musician currently living and performing in France.
In 1992, Ras Dumisani recorded his first album, Zululand Reggae, with the great Mickey Dread and the London engineer Denis Bovell (Linton Kwesi Johnson and Alpha Blondy’s bass player and sound engineer). In 1997, Mister Music, his second album, also made in collaboration with Afrikhaya band and Denis Bovell, came out .
Though he is based in Paris, Ras Dumisani plays in many different countries. His talent was particularly appreciated in Italy for the Venezian Rototom Reggae Sunsplash 99, broadcasted by RaiUno (he performed there again in july 2000). In 1994, he performed in the big Socialist party in Le Bourget. Later he was in several big shows in Ivory Coast (Festa, Caravane de l Unit’ Nationale, with his friend Alpha Blondy, and in Midem. There his whole show was broadcasted by the French TV channel, MCM, on CTV (Nigerian the Cable International Television) and on Rock Down Africa (South African International TV).
Ras Dumisani, the Zulu man, took his passion for reggae music and his love for life and people with him to the United States, Europe (London, Holland, Germany, Portugal, Switzerland), Israel, West Africa and finally to France. Source: Making Music Productions
Vido Jelashe Mbutuma
Born in the Township of Cape Town now living in Germany. He was discovered by a Manager of a German Reggae Band called Livin Spirits who flew him to Berlin where he started recording their Album called, Free the Children in 1994 and toured through Europe. In 1996 he started his Solo Career, working with his Backing Band – The Growing Tree and recorded a live Album called Vido Meets the Growing Tree in 1997 and in 1999 recorded the second live Album featuring Black Kappa and Leo Banton both from Jamaica. He was featured on Noiseshaper’s first Albulm, with a song The Only Redeemer and We love Reggae on their second Album titled, The Signal. In 2006 he started working on an album titled Tiger Hifi with “Tiger Hifi” Band, released in 2007 and produced by Universal Recording Company. He Toured with Gentleman and was a curtain raiser for Artists like Sean Paul. In 2012 he participated in a Talent Game Show called, THE WINNER IS…on Sat 1 TV Channel, where he dropped out at the Semi-Finals! Currently he is working on his upcoming Album which features the likes of Luciano, Gentleman, Black Dillinger and many Talented Local Artists. So keep ears and eyes open for the Golden Voice outta South Africa!! Source:Reggae Jam
The brother is also in the German Wikipedia. Don’t take my word for it, check it out yo sef. http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vido_Jelashe
Black Roots
Bristol, England formed in 1979. They toured extensively in the UK and Europe in the 1980s and early 1990s releasing several albums and singles during that time before disappearing from the music scene for about ten years. Their comeback began when Soundicate/Makasound, a record label in France, released an album in 2004 and followed it up with another in 2007 (both were compilations made up from their extensive back catalogue). In December 2010 they performed their first live show for some twenty years at the Trinity Hall in Bristol and since then they have been active once again, playing live dates and releasing a new album.
The original line-up of the band included Errol Brown (vocals), Delroy O’Gilvie (vocals), Kondwani Ngozi (congas, vocals), Jabulani Ngozi (rhythm guitar), Cordell Francis (lead guitar), Trevor Seivwright (drums), and Derrick King (bass guitar). Source: Wikipedia
Yes, them two South African Brothers formed the original line-up of the iconic band Black Roots. Need we say more….
We are proud of yous. Keep doing Jah Works and know that you have our support back home.
The stuff MzansiReggae is made of.
Puff & Pass. Let dem kno