Biography
Nakhane, a multifaceted South African creator, confronts entrenched assumptions around gender and sexuality by crafting intense, introspective anthems that fuse electro-pop with soul, placing their striking, wide-ranging vocals at the forefront. They first appeared as Nakhane Touré on the folk-rooted 2013 album Brave Confusion, then moved toward electronic textures and removed the chosen surname. Relocating to London paved the way for the dramatic 2019 release You Will Not Die, which brought widespread critical recognition along with listeners worldwide. Their return came via the 2022 EP Leading Lines, which included appearances by Perfume Genius and Nile Rodgers.
Nakhane Mavuso entered the world in 1988 in Alice, a modest settlement in the Eastern Cape. At age seven an aunt adopted them, and they took her surname Mahlakahlaka while settling in Port Elizabeth inside a strict Christian home. Attendance at her regular choir rehearsals introduced soul figures such as Marvin Gaye, after which they encountered local standouts including Busi Mhlongo, Hugh Masekela, and Brenda Fassie. Intellectually advanced and devoted to literature and sound, the youngster joined the school wind band and steel band, sang in the choir, and took part in musical theater.
During adolescence they disclosed their homosexuality to family and entered conversion therapy, initially accepting the process. At fifteen they left home for Johannesburg while still wrestling with their orientation, studying acting, film music composition, and literature yet leaving without a degree. Choosing music as a vocation, they performed in clubs under the Malian-inspired name Touré, secured a deal with the Sony-distributed Just Music label, and issued the acoustic folk debut Brave Confusion in 2013 in an attempt to reconcile Christianity with homosexuality. Concluding that reconciliation was impossible, they renounced their faith. A 2015 collaboration on the single “We Dance Again” by house producer Black Coffee followed. In 2016 they released the novel Piggy Boy Blues, then made their screen debut in the 2017 film Inxeba, which examined homosexuality inside conservative Xhosa culture. The project earned several awards but sparked backlash within the Xhosa community and brought death threats. Seeking broader international reach, they moved to London, dropped “Touré,” and worked with producer Ben Christophers. Drawing from David Bowie’s Low and Nina Simone, the 2019 album You Will Not Die merged electronic pop with soul and gospel elements at times recalling Terence Trent d’Arby, while its confessional lyrics chronicled their path toward self-acceptance. The artistic advance earned critical praise and attention from high-profile admirers such as Elton John and Madonna.
In the years that followed, Nakhane published personal essays and immersed themselves in the speculative fiction of N.K. Jemisin, whose intricate world-building informed their subsequent direction, as heard on the 2022 single “Tell Me Your Politik,” a collaboration with Nile Rodgers and South African singer Moonchild Sanelly. Together with the follow-up single “Do You Well” featuring Perfume Genius, the track appeared on the Leading Lines EP issued in December of that year.
Nakhane Mavuso entered the world in 1988 in Alice, a modest settlement in the Eastern Cape. At age seven an aunt adopted them, and they took her surname Mahlakahlaka while settling in Port Elizabeth inside a strict Christian home. Attendance at her regular choir rehearsals introduced soul figures such as Marvin Gaye, after which they encountered local standouts including Busi Mhlongo, Hugh Masekela, and Brenda Fassie. Intellectually advanced and devoted to literature and sound, the youngster joined the school wind band and steel band, sang in the choir, and took part in musical theater.
During adolescence they disclosed their homosexuality to family and entered conversion therapy, initially accepting the process. At fifteen they left home for Johannesburg while still wrestling with their orientation, studying acting, film music composition, and literature yet leaving without a degree. Choosing music as a vocation, they performed in clubs under the Malian-inspired name Touré, secured a deal with the Sony-distributed Just Music label, and issued the acoustic folk debut Brave Confusion in 2013 in an attempt to reconcile Christianity with homosexuality. Concluding that reconciliation was impossible, they renounced their faith. A 2015 collaboration on the single “We Dance Again” by house producer Black Coffee followed. In 2016 they released the novel Piggy Boy Blues, then made their screen debut in the 2017 film Inxeba, which examined homosexuality inside conservative Xhosa culture. The project earned several awards but sparked backlash within the Xhosa community and brought death threats. Seeking broader international reach, they moved to London, dropped “Touré,” and worked with producer Ben Christophers. Drawing from David Bowie’s Low and Nina Simone, the 2019 album You Will Not Die merged electronic pop with soul and gospel elements at times recalling Terence Trent d’Arby, while its confessional lyrics chronicled their path toward self-acceptance. The artistic advance earned critical praise and attention from high-profile admirers such as Elton John and Madonna.
In the years that followed, Nakhane published personal essays and immersed themselves in the speculative fiction of N.K. Jemisin, whose intricate world-building informed their subsequent direction, as heard on the 2022 single “Tell Me Your Politik,” a collaboration with Nile Rodgers and South African singer Moonchild Sanelly. Together with the follow-up single “Do You Well” featuring Perfume Genius, the track appeared on the Leading Lines EP issued in December of that year.
Albums
Singles
