Rhona

Rhona Rolls, a dynamic and versatile artist, was born in Cape Town, South Africa, where her passion for music was ignited by icons such as Miriam Makeba and Ronnie Joyce. Determined to pursue her dreams, she relocated to Johannesburg, the vibrant music hub of the time.

Her journey began with participation in prestigious competitions such as Shell Road to Fame and the EMI Talent Show, where she consistently placed as a runner-up. Despite the setbacks, Rhona persevered, earning recognition in the industry and becoming a member of the group Pongolo. Under the guidance of the legendary Gito Baloyi of Tananas fame, Pongolo released an album featuring the track "I May Not Be Your Kind," which gained airplay on major stations like 5FM.

Rhona’s powerful voice quickly caught the attention of other musicians. She began performing covers of artists like Sade and Black Box to support herself, gracing the stages of renowned clubs such as Rockefellers, Pink Cadillac, Pure Platinum, Arena Club, Tandoor, and Jamesons. During this time, she shared the stage with prominent artists like Ringo Madlingozi (Peto Band) and performed at high-profile events, including the SABC/Selimathunzi year-end function.

Her career expanded as she became a backing vocalist for notable acts such as Andile (Auw Boetie Yo), Papa Makhene, and Liz Ogumbo from Kenya (a Gallo Records artist). Rhona’s talent also earned her a spot on Pop Stars and the Divas Show, which took her to Spain. There, she performed Motown classics at major hotels across Tenerife, Lanzarote, and Fuerteventura before making her way to London. In the UK, Rhona opened for Oliver Mtukudzi at the Coronet Theatre and performed as a substitute for Judith Sephuma. Additionally, she contributed to the Torch Song Olympics track produced by Sir Trevor Horn and opened for Brenda Fassie in London.

Highlights and Collaborations:

• Recorded the EP Blacklist (Touch Me) and the full album Ghetto Queen under Gallo Records. The EP was nominated for Best Dance Single.
• Performed at prestigious events, including the World Summit in Sandton, Black History Month in the UK, World Mental Health Day in London, and the World Cup in South Africa.
• Contributed to the house music album LA Beat with producer Mdu Masilela and co-composed "Give Peace a Chance" under Eric Fish Records, touring Botswana and Swaziland.
• Worked with industry icons such as Angelique Kidjo at a Baseline Newtown workshop and performed alongside the South African group Amampondo in the UK.
• Sang at Pizza Express and The Air Room club in London, sharing the stage with Will.I.Am of Black Eyed Peas fame.
• Created jingles for brands like Tile Afrika, Clicks, Robben Island events, J&B Met, and Ellis Park events.

Performance Milestones:

• Opened for Oliver Mtukudzi at the Coronet Theatre, stepping in for Judith Sephuma.
• Collaborated with Joe Nina for the Blacklist EP and later released the Ghetto Queen album with Gallo Records.
• Performed at international events, including the World Food Festival in South Africa and Africa Day celebrations at Market Theatre and Baseline.
• Delivered unforgettable performances
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