Simphiwe Dana

Born in 1980 in Gcuwa, Transkei, within South Africa’s Eastern Cape, Dana grew up hearing choral and gospel church music because her father served as a preacher. Starting in 2002 she performed in modest Johannesburg clubs and gradually drew notice. The 2004 appearance of Zandisile created a major stir across South Africa; the recording sold briskly and collected multiple honors, among them the 2005 South African Music Award for Best Jazz Vocal album, while Dana herself earned a SAMA for Best Newcomer. After its international rollout the album registered on the Billboard charts and she received an AVO Session Basel Award.

Frequently compared with vocalists such as Miriam Makeba and Dorothy Masuka, Dana practices a refined style that fuses traditional African music with contemporary soul, thereby revealing traces of gospel and blues. The emotional reach of her interpretations has earned respect from an older cohort of South Africans, particularly women, whereas her youth and command of current pop sensibilities have won over younger listeners. Her repertoire includes ‘Ndiredi’, ‘Troubled Soldier’, ‘Chula Ukunyathela’, ‘Bantu Biko Street’, ‘Zundiqondisise’, ‘Uzobuya Nini’, ‘Sonini Nanini’ and ‘Naphakade’. She also performs the theme song for the television series Yizo Yizo.