Simphiwe Dana

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Simphiwe Dana
Simphiwe Dana performing Live at "Theatre on the Track"
Simphiwe Dana performing Live at "Theatre on the Track"
Background information
Birth nameSimphiwe Dana
Born (1980-01-23) January 23, 1980 (age 41)
Gcuwa, South Africa
OriginJohannesburg, South Africa
GenresJazz, Afro-soul and traditional music
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, record producer
InstrumentsVocals
WebsiteSimphiweDana

Simphiwe Dana (born 23 January 1980 in Gcuwa) is a Xhosa singer and songwriter in South Africa.[1] Due to her unique combination of Jazz, Afro-soul, Rap and Traditional music, she has been hailed as the "new Miriam Makeba".[2] Dana is also known for her creative social commentary and activism through music as a political art form.

Early life[]

Simphiwe was born on 23 January 1980 in Gcuwa (Butterworth),[3] Transkei, in the Eastern Cape, South Africa and raised in the town of Lusikisiki (in the Ingquza Hill Local Municipality).

Dana came from a religious background with her father being a preacher and as she grew up in the church, exposing her to music in both choral and gospel forms.[4]

Education[]

She attended Vela Private School in Mthatha, where she matriculated in 1997.

Her tertiary education pursued her interests in graphic design, and she successfully studied for her National Diploma in IT at the Wits Technikon, Johannesburg.

Career[]

She made a major impact in South Africa with the release in 2004 of Zandisile. The album sold very well and gained several awards, including some South African Music Award (SAMA) in 2005. On its worldwide release the album gained success in the Billboard charts and she won an Award.[4]

On 2020, her fifth studio album Bamako was released.[5]

Discography[]

Main article:

Studio albums[]

  • Zandisile (2004)
  • The One Love Movement on Bantu Biko Street (2006)
  • Kulture Noir (2010)
  • Firebrand (2014)
  • Bamako (2020)

Live albums[]

  • An Evening with Simphiwe Dana: Live at the Lyric Theatre (2011)
  • Celebrating Ten Years Live at the Bassline (2016)
  • The Simphiwe Dana Symphony Experience (2017)

Inspiration[]

Dana's music draws strongly on her upbringing in the Transkei, and she cites[citation needed] the powerful singing of her mother as an inspiration for her and her siblings, and ultimately as a key motivator in her resolve to pursue her musical career.

In 2005, Dana won the "Best Newcomer" award and Best Jazz Vocal album at the 11th South African Music Awards with her first album Zandisile.[6]

Two years later, she was named the "Best Female Artist", with the song "The One Love Movement on Bantu Biko Street", at the 13th South African Music Awards.[7] She is a creative advocate of Afrofuturism and Afrofeminism.

Achievements[]

South African Afro Pop Awards[]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2021 Saafma Best Female Artist Award[8] Pending
Best Song of the Year Pending
Best Rising Star Pending

South African Music Awards[]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2005 Herself Best Newcomer Won[9]
2021 Best Adult Contemporary Album Pending[10]

References[]

  1. ^ Angela Bolowana (21 January 2016). "Criminalising racism a bad idea: Dana". sabc.co.za. Archived from the original on 14 November 2016. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
  2. ^ "Memoir, Biography & True Crime : A Renegade called Simphiwe". Jacana.co.za. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
  3. ^ "Simphiwe Dana raises black consciousness through her music". DESTINY Magazine. 8 February 2016. Retrieved 23 February 2019.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b "Simphiwe Dana | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
  5. ^ Williams, Kojo Bentum (1 May 2020). "Simphiwe Dana releases new album Bamako". voyagesafriq.
  6. ^ "Simphiwe Dana Biography" (PDF). 5seasons.co.za. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
  7. ^ "Music – Review of Simphiwe Dana – The One Love Movement on Banto Biko Street". BBC. 27 August 2007. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
  8. ^ Patience Bambalele (7 May 2021). "Star-studded list of nominees for 2021 South African Afro Music Awards". Sowetan LIVE.
  9. ^ "South African Music Awards 2005". SouthAfrica.info. 19 April 2005.
  10. ^ Peolana Malema (20 May 2021). "Full list of SAMA nominees". East Coast Radio.

External links[]

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