Pilani Bubu

BIO

Immerse yourself in the intriguing world of Pilani Bubu, an indelible storyteller, singer-songwriter, TV presenter, and creative entrepreneur extraordinaire. For the past decade, Pilani has graced the global stage, captivating audiences with her enchanting melodies, astonishing vibrato and soul-stirring lyrics. Her musical prowess knows no bounds as she effortlessly weaves together jazz, folk, soul, and R&B, showcasing her versatile artistry.

With a pure voice, with a unique sense of clarity that resonates deep within the soul, Pilani has independently produced and released five album, whose storytelling narratives are in a league of their own. Each album takes listeners on an extraordinary journey through the human experience, evoking raw emotions, the essence of love, light and the unbreakable spirit within us all. From the heartfelt melodies of "Journey of a Heart" to the empowering rhythms of "Warrior of Light," and the nostalgic African folk tales of” Folklore Chapter 1. Her music transcends mere entertainment—it is an expedition through the very essence of existence.

Even amidst the chaos of a global pandemic, Pilani's creative spirit remained unyielding. She released "Lockdown Lovestory," a remarkable & cathartic album that captured the essence of love amidst uncertain times, providing a space for reflection and reconciliation to countless souls- post pandemic. And now, with her latest offering, "Folklore Chapter 2," she delves even deeper into the rich tapestry of African folklore, conjuring melodies that transport listeners to ethereal realms of African spirituality.

Pilani's commendable musicality has garnered her immense recognition, including the prestigious accolade of Best African Adult Contemporary Album at the South African Music Awards in 2020 for "Folklore Chapter 1." She continues to push boundaries and expand her artistic endeavours, recently launching the Folklore Festival—a magnificent celebration of heritage, culture and creativity held in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2022.

Her artistic prowess extends beyond the realm of music. Pilani has collaborated with the esteemed Caged Bird Legacy LLC, entrusted with the lyrical interpretation of Maya Angelou's profound poetry in her transcendent song, "Hopes Springing High, Still I Rise." This remarkable project, supported and funded by the SAMRO Foundation, SAMPRA, Sheer Publishing, and Downtown Publishers, has left an indelible mark on the artistic landscape.

Not stopping there, Pilani's music has resonated globally, securing synchronisation rights for her songs in the South African Netflix Series, "The Brave Ones: Abantwana," where her enchanting melodies intertwined seamlessly with the visual narrative. She also embarked on a mesmerizing collaboration with the talented Blick Bassy, lending her captivating vocals to his sensational spectacle, "Bikutsi 3000." Furthermore, her collaboration with Afronautiq, a.k.a Sean Peavers, birthed the magnetic "Ufuna Bani,”.

Beyond her musical exploits, Pilani has cemented her status as a creative entrepreneur. Her company, Bupila Creative Co., has become a beacon of success, earning two prestigious Loeries awards—the biggest advertising awards in Africa and the Middle East. Her strategic and creative brilliance shone brightly in her work on a Human Rights Campaign for the Nelson Mandela Foundation, for which she was honored with a Loeries Bronze trophy in 2021. Additionally, her campaign approach in the Nedbank Beke Le Beke campaign garnered a bronze Loeries award in 2022, further solidifying her trajectory as an innovative force to be reckoned with.

Pilani Bubu, a true luminary of our time, leaves an indelible mark wherever her artistry ventures. Her storytelling transcends borders, her melodies reverberate through souls, and her creative entrepreneurship blazes trails with every endeavour, she continues to enchant.

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What the press has to say:

"A magnificent discovery, truly original, with a remarkable touch to combine with its folk and its astonishing vibrato with atmospheres alternately jazz-world, trad', soul-pop and afro, where very urban with these numerous and percussive spoken words which borrow from hip hop and rap.”
JAZZ-RHONE-ALPES

"The singer publishes the album Folklore: Chapter 1, a poetic and militant chronicle of South African society served by timeless folk music"
FIP

"In this first album, the South African singer recounts her cultures and her roots within a folk music inhabited by poetry and spoken-word"
NOVA

“Pilani Bubu stands out as a complete artist”
FRANCE INTER

“She sings with a clear voice – and sometimes slams – her own texts in Xhosa, Mpondo, Zulu and English”
LE MONDE

"His introductory disc insists on the strength of traditions and the place of women in his native country"
RFI

“Pilani Bubu's song is auroral. It evokes the purity of the first morning of the world »
AMINA
“[…]a fresh, clear voice that is remarkably agile, with a raw, sympathetic edge here and there.”
MUSICFRAME (NL)
“Sparkling record on which South African singer Pilani connects traditional music and lyrics with contemporary musical genres and spoken word. The engaging purity and freshness of Bubu’s voice is equally reflected in the musical accompaniment.”
TROUW (NL)
“…a beautiful voice and a huge musical insight.”
MUSIC MAGAZINE HEAVEN (NL

“In her latest offering, Lockdown Lovestory, Pilani Bubu unpacks the overwhelming tricks the lustful mind can play when heated and blinded by fantasy and sensual craving… The ambience of déjà vu – rich in onomatopoeia, poetic nuance, sass, and sultry harmonic major scale prowess. The 90s-induced Nu RnB deepened my appreciation for the organic touch delivered through the use of vintage mics, FX instruments, synths, and Rhodes in electronic production.” – The Music Review

“Pilani Bubu is a multi-faceted artist who has established herself as a creative force in South Africa’s music and entertainment industry. She has travelled the world performing and spreading the sounds of jazzy folk that illustrate her pride in her heritage” - Bubblegum

“Multifaceted artist Pilani Bubu is …successful and purely authentic… She has mastered the art of jugging time and finances.” – Star Newspaper (South Africa)

“An act that enthralled audiences with her soothing melodies, exceptional vocals and message-laden repertoire is singer-songwriter from South Africa…she shines through with a poignant set of songs with pure grit and talent which inspired head popping and feet tapping from the receptive audience...a feel-good singer with conscious and meaningful lyrics” - Daily Graphic Newspaper (Ghana).

WATCH/LISTEN:
As We Lay (Official Music Video) https://youtu.be/sbROciqfpjQ
Desire (Lyric Video) https://youtu.be/z9dxWtOz_Io
Pendulum Swing (Official Music Video) https://youtu.be/h7dgIXC66Ug
Boom Che (Official Music Video) https://youtu.be/o_a-od8bk14
Qamata (Official Music Video) https://youtu.be/MienUxpG8m0
Qongqothwane - Pilani Bubu (Music Video) https://youtu.be/MxZxfRqzrU4
Baile - Acoustic - Ft Kyei Rocks (Duet) https://youtu.be/oJ_SQN1X9XE
Makoti - (Trio) https://youtu.be/sbpELcQrMmc
Qongqothwane Medley – Pilani Bubu (Duet) https://youtu.be/j5TyhqTqJtY
Pilani Bubu - Did Where’s My Tune (Trio) https://youtu.be/UN4fYGOr8pM
Folklore Chapter 1 (Africa& Rest of World) - https://album.link/i/1487411592
Folklore Chapter 1 (Europe and French Territories) - https://bfan.link/folklore-chapter-1
Lockdown Lovestory - https://ditto.fm/lockdownlovestory

FOLLOW ONLINE:
https://linktr.ee/pilanibubu - All Links
https://www.instagram.com/pilanibubu/
https://www.facebook.com/PilaniBubu
https://twitter.com/PilaniBubu

CONTACTS
[email protected]
[email protected]
+2782 768 3971