A Re Iketleng! 26 March gig to expose best of SA urban culture

Artists on the bill include Jae Nuune, Leomile, BONJ and Kombonation, alongside DJs Just Themba, Hamma The Dude, ANDR18 and iamsiwas.

The event will open with a set by iamsiwas (Jess White), who has thrilled audiences in London, Melbourne, Accra, Dakar, Maputo, Nairobi and Zanzibar with his cross-cultural blend of dub, electronica, hip hop, R&B, pop, and Afrobeat(s).

Jae Nuune will then take the stage with her ’90s trip hop and electro inspired tunes fused with South African rhythms and various other world sounds. The singer made her stage debut at open mic poetry sessions, where she honed her singing skills. She released her debut album EVOLV in 2021, which comprises the aforementioned spectrum of influences, and more.

Leomile will be another eagerly anticipated artist who will perform at the event. The singer-songwriter, composer and performer creates a soulful musical tapestry in Sotho and English, musing important issues of identity through personal experience and keenly observing the zeitgeist. The release of her debut album Pula Molomo in 2016 announced her as an essential voice and catapulted her towards notable career leaps.

Leomile is currently in the production stages of her sophomore album, which leans into folklore and honours the legacy of African storytelling. Last year, she released ‘Khoeli’, an a capella Sotho lullaby featuring a symphony of layered voices. The song is testament of Leomile as a vocal powerhouse who can work across a gamut of genres and influences. 

Although trained in jazz, it was the love of dance and soul that led BONJ to two back-to-back radio successes: ‘Til The Tide’ and ‘Against the Grain’, the latter of which she made alongside fellow female electro force DJ Zinhle. BONJ has performed alongside many great South African and international artists such as Mafikizolo, Zakes Bantwini, Zonke, Lady Zamar, Little Dragon, The Wailers and Petite Noir. In 2019, she was handpicked by Sam Smith as the support act for the South African leg of The Thrill of it All tour. BONJ performs alongside respected multi-instrumentalist Clem Carr, who delivers a mix of processed beats and live musicianship combining dance, house and soul.

Kombonation will then disrupt perceptions of townships by exploring their raw, rarely celebrated beauty and rich culture. Kombonation are a visual storytelling duo consisting of Kabelo Sello and Kgotso Selomah, who are both graduates of the Market Photo Workshop.

Revitalising the urban music scene

The organisers of A Re Iketleng! say that the concert series are aimed at revitalising South Africa’s urban music scene. They will provide new and established artists with the opportunity to generate exposure for their work and network with creatives from other artistic disciplines. The concerts are envisioned to be held at accessible venues in Johannesburg, Soweto and Pretoria, and even outside the Gauteng province.

For each instalment, Akum Agency, headed by Jess White, will present three alternative artists who will perform at the end of every month. In addition to growing audience numbers, the series will shine a spotlight on alternative artists from around the country. In the long term, Akum Agency hopes to expand its curation of artists to other African countries. The goal is to give African artists a chance to perform and explore South Africa’s urban culture.

Tickets to the event are available here.