Deslynn Malotana

Deslynn Malotana - a recording artist, singer-songwriter and performer with origins in the Eastern Cape and Johannesburg, is a fully fledged Capetonian.

Her vibrant personality and subtle nature, which is brought to life in front of a microphone, intentionally gets her deep and personal with listeners. She describes it as 'connecting through music on a soul surface'.

Deslynn received formal music performance training at the Campus of Performing Arts in Cape Town, but accredits her interest in pursuing a musical career to her father, the late Desmond Malotana, founder of 'Brenda Fassie and the Big Dudes'.

She is influenced by all expressions of art mediums and inspired by artists who she's felt deeply connected to. In some way, they have shaped her - musicians such as; Jill Scott, Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu, Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, Brandy, Moonchild and many more.

Deslynn's first offering was her self -titled EP, which was released in 2014. The single of the EP 'How' - a cinematic love ballad - enjoyed success on local radio station Heart 104.9FM

Her most recent contribution is 'Old School Love' featuring Trumpet player, Brandon Ruiters. - a love story romanticisng relationships that exist in an era without societal pressures and constraints of what 'love' should look like and feel, where relationships are based on soul connections, and foundations are built on mutual respect, forgiveness, and the freedom that only love in its innocence can bring.

Love and exploring all facets of it have been somewhat of a constant theme in Deslynn's writing, which also led to the release of 'Black Love' featuring multi-media artist, Andy Mkosi, words which speak to black bodies.

"Black Love is a story about myself and any other child or adult who endured discrimination due to pigmentation or their hair texture.

"The journey to adulthood, realising truths and reclaiming the power of 'colour' , by being unapologetically myself, spreading the message of love always - love being the only force that will combat everything in this cruel, yet beautiful world. Giving love and being loved. Black love is revolutionary," she says.

Deslynn is currently working on her debut album, which has been a long time coming. Although she is not set on a release date, you can expect something special in early 2022.