Joel Karabo Elliott (jKe)

Joel Karabo Elliott (jKe) is an American-Mosotho composer, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist whose music sings the song-stories of his journey from the pavements of America to the rivers and villages of the Limpopo.

Joel originally hails from Indiana, USA, then many years ago he settled in a village in the open spaces of GaMphahlele in Limpopo, where he became Karabo. Joel Karabo is a man and artist who draws natural inspiration from the roots of mother Afrika and her American branches. His two homelands speak plentifully through his music, while his poetry and lyrics connect the narratives of both continents to portray a fresh take on Diaspora.

jKe’s performance experience as a singer-songwriter, guitarist, trombonist and pianist in the USA and southern Afrika spans more than a decade, including collaborations with symphony orchestras, jazz ensembles, indigenous music groups and rock bands. Central to all his musical endeavors is the integration of mind and soul. ‘Music is a means to an end, and that end is nothing less than the great Unity.’ jKe’s self-produced albums include But For Hope (2008) and Roots Grown Deep (2013). He is a founder of the South Africa-based artist collective ShiNdig Awé and of the enigmatic performance group Stone Aged Souls.

Karabo also believes that community power and freedom is directly connected to music, and that expanding individual and community empowerment is critical in this age. He has played an integral role in the establishment of several rural community-based projects, including the Sedikong sa Lerato Moringa Cooperative (GaMphahlele) and Bjatladi Youth Development (GaMamabolo).