It’s MTN Bushfire time again, and Swaziland is the spot to be from 26– 28 May to lap up one of Africa’s coolest world music festivals. Bushfire is a holistic experience made up of a rich texture of arts, cultures, crafts, food and people – all curated into specialized zones, to create an explosive three-day event, and a memorable take home, family–friendly experience.
Named Africa’s Top Festival by the BBC, and by CNN as one of the 7 African ‘must-attend’ festivals, the 2017 gig will feature a range of talented artists from across Africa and the world – all of who appear on the MTN Bushfire Main Stage.
This line-up includes Hugh Masekela, GoodLuck, Kwesta and Matthew Mole, plus pan-African stars like Jah Prayzah, Faada Freddy, Chico Antonio, Femi Koya and Jojo Abot – and acts close to home and from across the globe. These new announcements are in addition to the already announced acts that include kwaito superstar – TKZee, Congolese performer Baloji, Taureg rebel Bombino, and Belgian/SA newcomer Petite Noir.
Some substantial highlights
Hugh Masekela (South Africa)
South African legend, global icon, humam rights activist and one of the world’s greatest musicians – Masekela goes into his 6th decade of performance and with 44 albums under his belt, this living legend still packs a punch with riveting live shows. https://hughmasekela.co.za/
Faada Freddy (Senegal/ France)
Faada Freddy is a muchl-loved rapper turned gospel artist whose latest album, Gospel Journey, was recorded using only vocals and body percussion. But far from being experimental, the result is accessible, containing pop hymns with catchy melodies that give an irresistible urge to smile, sing and dance. This Senegalese singer is endowed with an unusual voice worthy of the Soulmen of the 1960s and 70s. http://faadafreddy.com/
Jah Prayzah (Zimbabwe)
Jah Prazah is Zimbabwe’s biggest musical export in decades, enthralling tens of thousands of fans across Africa with his reggae infused African style. He is popularly referred to by fans and media as “Musoja”, the Shona word for “the soldier”, a name he earned mostly because of his signature band uniform of military regalia. His concerts look like military rallies with his devoted fans donning the same military look in honour of their musical hero. Make sure to pack your camos to be part of the Jah Prayzah experience.
http://www.jahprayzah.com/, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90LRHf9sDOk
GoodLuck (South Africa)
GoodLuck’s blend of electronic and pop has been heard on stages with Groove Armada, Bassment Jaxx, Petshop Boys, Bakermat, Goldfish and Paul Oakenfold. In 2015 GoodLuck opened for Pharrell Williams, as a part of his world tour. http://goodlucklive.com/ https://www.youtube.com/user/GoodLuckLive
Kwesta (South Africa)
In 2010 Kwesta was selected to be a Brand SA ambassador at their nationwide roadshow tour in the run-up to the FIFA World Cup. He also collaborated with 2-Face and Jozi on MTN’s Everywhere You Go anthem, which featured Destiny’s Child, Kelly Rowland (US). This culminated in a performance at the 2010 FIFA World Cup closing ceremony viewed by 500million people worldwide. https://www.facebook.com/KwestaDaKAR/
Matthew Mole (South Africa)
Matthew Mole became the first South African artist to enter the itunes chart at number one with his debut album, The Home We Built. He has followed up with a number of top charting radio hits. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkGq3jsWq18
JoJo Abot (Ghana)
A Ghanaian artist who expresses herself through music, film/photography, literature and performance art. Her exploration into self and identity has taken on a journey around the world, seeing her ending up in New York as a member of the New Museum’s incubator progamme. She will be touring with Lauryn Hill in late 2017. Jojo Abot is poised to take the world by storm with her ‘Afro-hyno-sonic sound’ and otherworldly perspective. http://jojoabot.com/, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnBE-SiCB5C_i9-pSJ4sxYQ
Femi Koya (Nigeria)
Known as Olufemi, Femi celebrates Africa’s love of life with infectious dance numbers that bring fans to their feet wherever be performs. With musical influences that include Fela Kuti, Bob Marley, Manu Dibango, Baaba Maal and Salif Keita, Femi “will make music about this homecoming and what the future holds if Africans unite. This is our destiny.” http://www.femikoya.com/
Sands (Swaziland)
Swaziland’s own Sands has been celebrated from all corners of the country after his rise to fame with a collaboration with a hip hop poet Qibho on Ntfombatana Lenhle. In 2015 his song Vuma was named Best Radio Song of 2015 in Swaziland for the NACA (National Arts and Culture Awards Swaziland) – plus Male Artist of the year for the NACA Awards (Swaziland). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHxRz45V6P4
Reason & The Brass Cartel (South Africa)
SA hip hop star teams up with the Brass Cartel. http://rhymesnreason.blogspot.co.za/
http://jagermeister.co.za/en-za/music/jaegermeister-brass-cartel/
Chico Antonio (Mozambique)
“Chico Antonio with his new Afrobeat, the epicness of Pink Floyd, drama of Queen, rhythm of Fela Kuti, flair of Franco and genius of Chico himself.” This description from Paul Brickhill aptly describes this unique artist whose sound is a fusion between Afro-pop and Afro-rock, with a strong jazz influence rooted in Mozambican rhythms.https://www.fmmusic.ca/
The Kiffness (South Africa)
Quirky and imaginative, The Kiffness makes jazzy, groovy & uplifting house music. Ever-innovative videos, collaborations and ever-so-catchy tunes. http://www.thekiffness.com/http://www.thekiffness.com/2016/tresor-the-kiffness-evergreen
Additional confirmed acts
Siyinqaba (Swaziland), 80 Script (Swaziland), Shizniz, Flameboy Universe (Swaziland),
Rootswords (Switzerland), Kids n Cats (Austria), Gren Seme (Reunion Island), Msaki (SA), Seba Kaapstad and Ben Day & The Concrete Lions (SA)
What: MTN Bushfire
Where: Swaziland, Africa
When: May 26 – 28, 2017
Tickets: www.bush-fire.com
Social media: www.facebook.com/MTNBUSHFIRE, @bushfirefest
WS
