Luyolo Lenga

BIO

Implanting a conscious appreciation of the spiritual and socio-economic, Mdantsane raised composer, author and music arranger, Luyolo Lenga, pays homage to the isiXhosa language; accessing ancestral sounds from ancient bow and percussion instruments, utilizing classical techniques that traverse through culture and time by gathering elements of isingqi sakwantu, jazz and a range of contemporary music styles.
He became a Sound Engineer/Music Producer after graduating from Cape Audio College in Cape Town in 2000 and has since established himself as an independent producer and started his own music production company, Qangi Qangi Sounds.
In 2006 he released an album as part of an indigenous hip-hop duo, Izithunywa Zohlanga, where in 2007 became a community of musicians, forming a fusion band, Udaba. After having collaborated with a number of bands and contributed in many records over the years, in 2019, Luyolo released his much anticipated debut solo EP, Siphiwo Sam, an offering that embraced the complexity and beauty of his music gift (calling). The release of his debut album, Sabela, an isiXhosa word meaning “heed the calling”, followed in October 2020, an ethereal body of work encouraging discourse on issues of spiritual awakening, the rising incidences of femicide in South Africa and the world, adverse poverty and the mismanagement of state funds, triumph, identity and the vibrancy of his culture.
He released a Production Music Album, Traditional South African Folk - Guitars and Bows, with Mama Dance Music Publishing and in 2021 contributed on another Production Music Album, Atmospheric Africa – Harps, Bows and a Hand Pan, also released with Mama Dance Publishing and distributed by Universal Music Production. These albums are available on all major digital stores and are being played extensively on various DSTV adverts, shows and drama series's.
His work has also had an international footprint as a collaborator on music scores with acclaimed US based composers Salil Bhayani on the film, Empty Land Myth which won the Jury Award for best film at the Annency Film Festival in 2023. In 2024 he collaborated with master composer John Powell on scoring music for Grammy Award nominated film, The Last Ranger.
He started 2025 on good footing as he was also a recipient of the Music In Africa instrument making and repair programme where him and other trainees were taught how to make and repair an instrument called the Balafon. In May 2025 he released his long anticipated single Izimvu Zakuthi featuring violinist Candice Moleshe from his upcoming album Mvelo.
With his love for sharing his gift through the stage, Luyolo has performed in venues and events such as StageIt (NY Time Square), Cape Town Jazz Festival, Grahamstown National Arts Festival, Pan African Space Station Festival, AfroFest, Baxter’s Zabalaza Festival, The Muizenberg Festival, The Raiz Festival, Soweto Theatre, Alexandra Theatre, The Market Theatre and an artist residency in Mozambique.
This is an exciting year for Luyolo as he continues to make isiXhosa indigenous bow instruments as well as offer workshops to communities, festivals and master-classes to universities, on how to make and play them. He is also in deep mediation as he is in process of working on his upcoming album, Mvelo, an ode to nature and creation, which will be released in September 2025. Luyolo looks forward to sharing the distinct rhythm of gifts, unearthing ancestral incantations and self-actualization, with each and every part of the world.
‘’Spirituality is life and I’m a spirit being before I am an artist. Therefore it is of utmost importance that I respect and protect every soul I come into contact with, in life I have experienced and caused excruciating pain to myself and others and I have found healing in song and spirituality. If my music does not introduce or connect you to a higher version of yourself then all my efforts are in vain’’: Luyolo Lenga.