… LOCAL RAPPER LUTION ALSO MAKES CUT
BY DELISA THWALA
MBABANE– MTN Bushfire has announced more of the amazing artists for the upcoming MTN Bushfire festival, happening from May 26 to May 28, 2023.
As regular fans of MTN Bushfire know, the line-up is always an exciting mix of top names they know and love, as well as perhaps less well-known discoveries from around the globe that never fail to amaze and inspire.
When announcing the line-up House on Fire Communications Officer Simon Dawson said discovering new artists and music styles is one of the highlights of every MTN Bushfire weekend, and further announcements will be made in the coming weeks.
“This year, the line-up is more diverse than ever and is headlined by a power-house female line-up, led by the Afro-Cuban-French twins Ibeyi, South Africa’s Sho Madjozi and Angolan-Portuguese singer Pongo, whose hybrid sounds mix Kuduro, melancholic pop, dancehall and EDM with lyrics both in Portuguese and Kimbundu,” he said.
In addition, he said they will be joined by South African gem Ami Faku, Lesotho’s Maleh, whose classic, soulful melodies celebrate the joys and challenges of womanhood, as well as the angelic, soaring voice of Eswatini’s Velemseni and rising talent iYA, whose velvety voice excavates a deeply emotional landscape with a blend of Soul, RnB and Modern Jazz.
Also from Eswatini, the edgy Qibho Intalektual keeps it real while renowned rapper and producer Lution commands attention with his creative and skilful socially conscious wordplay, and music collective Bantu The Tribe will bring their eclectic musical style, performing adaptations of Traditional and African Folk, heavily influenced by Afro-Soul, Jazz, World Music and Tribal Fusion.
“The line-up includes South Africans such as the highly respected rapper Stogie T, who will bring his power game to the festival, as will the veteran group Black Motion, who need no introduction,” he said.
Adding to the diverse and eclectic line-up, MTN Bushfire is proud to include artists that will be touring on the Igoda Southern African Festival Network. Chad’s AfrotroniX, is a truly unique sound experience with their blend of Electro-Saharian Blues, tinged with Chadian Saï, Senegalese Mbalax, Haitian Kompas, West African Mandingo roots and electric Touareg Blues.
Dawson said comedy at MTN Bushfire this year will have guests laughing out loud with internationally renowned stand-up comedian Daliso Chaponda, who shot to fame on Britain’s Got Talent, making it to the final of the 2017 series and establishing himself as a firm favourite with the judges and the public. “Guests should also prepare to be wowed by thrilling acrobatic performances in the Main Arena from The CIRK, Johannesburg’s premier circus performance company. Additionally, MTN Bushfire Festival fans can also expect the usual diversity of performances that include cultural performances, family-friendly activities, and dance and, of course, the ever-popular artisanal Barn Marketplace, Global Food Village, and KidZone, as well as an invigorated Bring Your Fire Zone for interactive social and environmental advocacy,” he said.
