2022 Concert for Refugees in Joburg: Meet the artists

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The Concert for Refugees seeks to draw attention to the plight of people who have been displaced from their homes, forgotten and misplaced by others, and to honour those who have overcome the challenges of being a stranger in another’s homeland.

Confirmed artists include locals Msaki, Sipho ‘Hotstix’ Mabuse, PJ Powers, Thandi Ntuli, Pops Mohamed and Neill Solomon as well as South African poet Lebogang Mashile. They will be joined by musicians Bienvenue Nseka (DRC) and Rocksteady.Dub (Mozambique). On the same night, Solomon will launch his song titled ‘Homeland’.

With a goal to maximise results, THI has partnered with the Music In Africa Foundation, Nelson Mandela Foundation, Amnesty International, South Africa’s Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, Universal Rights Association, Wits University, Flame Studios, Horizon Educational Trust, Mail and Guardian, Time to Care, Scalabrini Centre, JT Communication, the Southern African Music Rights Organisation, ConcerstSA and Refugee Social Services.

“We want people to think ‘what if I was in their shoes, what would life look like? Could I face the sometimes insurmountable challenges and daily struggles they face?’,” THI executive director Ayhan Cetin said. “With these concerts our aim is to reframe the refugee experience, shifting the debate away from refugee statistics and refocusing on the attitudes of those who may not be sure who refugees even are, creating connections through common experiences and increased understanding.”

Meet the artists

Msaki

Msaki is hailed as a multi-hyphenate creative known for her iconic collections and passionate activism. From soothing R&B to dance-ready house grooves, her honeyed harmonies can be heard on a wide range of tracks. Among her collaborators are Mobi Dixon, Revolution, Black Coffee, Black Motion, and Prince Kaybee. Her work has earned her multiple accolades since she made her debut in 2013. She is the founder of ALTBLK, a platform dedicated to showcasing the diversity and complexity of black music from Africa and the diaspora.

Sipho ‘Hotstix’ Mabuse

Mabuse started off his career in the mid-1970s with an Afro-soul group called the Beaters. He has experimented with different genres including American-style funk, soul, and pop music. He earned fame in the early 1980s following the release of his first major crossover hit ‘Burn Out’, which sold over 500 000 copies. In the late 1980s he had a huge disco shangaan hit called ‘Jive Soweto’. Mabuse has performed across Africa, Europe, and the US. He has recorded and produced for legendary artists such as the late Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela, Ray Phiri and Sibongile Khumalo.

PJ Powers

Affectionately known as Thandeka, PJ Powers has been active in the industry for more than four decades with groups like Pantha and Hotline. She made a name for herself with hits such as ‘Jabulani’ and ‘World in Union’ with Ladysmith Black Mambazo. The singer has shared the stage with top local musicians such as the late Miriam Makeba and performed for royalty like Queen Elizabeth and King Juan Carlos of Spain.

Thandi Ntuli

Thandi Ntuli’s love for music began at a tender age when she began taking classical piano lessons under the tutelage of Ada Levkowitz. However, her keen interest in jazz was only kindled later in life prompting her to enrol and complete a bachelor of music in jazz performance at the University of Cape Town. Since the release of her debut jazz album The Offering, Ntuli made an imprint on the local jazz scene. The album received critical acclaim as well as numerous awards and recognition since its release in 2014. She has released three more albums thus adding new insight into her music.

Pops Mohamed

Pops Mohamed is a well-known multi-instrumentalist and producer who has played the keyboard and guitar with eminent jazz musicians live and in the studio. With more than ten albums under his belt, Mohamed has toured and performed in the US, UK, Scandinavia, Namibia, Swaziland, Tanzania (especially Zanzibar), Germany, Switzerland, Kathmandu in Nepal and Vietnam, among others.

Neill Solomon

Without a doubt, Neill Solomon is one of South Africa’s top singers and songwriters. Over the decades, he has consistently produced songs of depth, character, and beauty that will endure, beginning with his Uptown Rhythm Dogs days to his solo work in The Passenger years. Their success fuelled the group’s selection as the opening act for US artist Janis Ian. Following a solo career, Solomon continues to shine lyrically and musically, mesmerising and influencing audiences through his musical talents.

Rocksteady.Dub

Rocksteady.Dub is an artist of longstanding and depth who has released more than six albums in his own right. He is also a talent scout, booking manager, and co-owner of Bam Jive Alternative Music Festival and Bam Jive Record Store in Soweto. His performance at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa remains one of his highlights. He has also performed at the Oppikopi Music Fest, Fête de la Musique and Woodstock Music and Art Fair in New York alongside Dutch artist Marike Jager.

Bienvenue Nseka

Bienvenue Nseka was born in Kinshasa and came to South Africa in 1995 to start his Congolese-influenced band Les Fantastiques. Some of the well-known South African musicians he has worked with include Jeff Maluleke, Chicco Twala, Jonas Gwangwa, Jamali and Neill Solomon. With a background in composing and co-producing, he released his debut album in 2004 which won him the title of Best Francophone Artist in South Africa.

For more information about this event, visit the Concert for Refugees official website. To be part of this memorable night of music and compassion, concert-goers can purchase tickets via Webtickets for R200.