Six emerging artists selected for Blooming Sounds from Joburg concert

The announcement follows a call for entries made in August to artists based in the Gauteng province of South Africa. The selected artists include electronic kwaito musician Umlilo, soul DJ, vocalist and songwriter Witney, jazz vocalist and multi-instrumentalist LaliBoi, rapper Manu WorldStar, neo-soul singer Lolo Skai, and R&B and alternative musician Moonga K.

The upcoming musicians were chosen by a jury consisting of music industry specialists and artists, including Selen Daver (IFAS), Josh Georgiou (Hugh Masekela Foundation), Andrew Poane (Bassline), Jerome Galabert (Sakifo Festival, Reunion) and Katiso Matabola (Kaya FM).

The event, which will be free to view, aims to provide exposure for new musical talent. The chosen six will open for headliners Zoë Modiga and Stogie T.

“I was struck by the quality of the music sent by the applicants and I am very proud to say that each of the six selected acts will present a highly original and powerful sound to our audiences,” Daver said. “Blooming Sounds from Joburg is not only about revealing fresh talent, it is also about creating long-term opportunities for this new generation of musicians. We wish to have some of these acts grow and show South African music’s diversity and modernity abroad in a few years’ time.”

Georgiou said: “They all have a fresh sound and seem to be really paying attention to their craft. They seem to be trying something daring and original with their music.” Poane added: “They are all good in their own right and I believe the selected bands will deliver on the night of the concert."

The artists' music will be aired on Kaya FM after the concert, and they will get an opportunity to record their music professionally.

The concert will be streamed from 4pm to 8pm on Skyroomlive and the Sakifo Facebook page.