DON MAKATILE
THE South African Music Week (SAMW) kicks off for three days this month with a line-up of local acts with an international appeal set to be honoured at the event that will be hosted at the Soweto Theatre, from November 16 to 18.
The organisers say the SAMW will also be acknowledging some of the country’s music greats, and “those set to be honoured include the likes of DJ Black Coffee, Trompies, Master KG, Makhadzi, Jonathan Butler, Jimmy Dludlu, Zola, Yvonne Chaka Chaka and Lorraine Klaasen”.
Now in its second year thanks to a Covid-induced hiatus, the SAMW spreads its wings to embrace SADC and Canadian musical talent in year two of this chart-topping networking event.
Based in Ontario, Klaasen is, in a phrase, a class act. “Lorraine is a super talent. A crowd pleaser and all-round great entertainer. As you may tell from her latest recording, she carries on the wonderful tradition of township music everywhere she plays and promotes this unique South African style at all times. She’s a national treasure,” says Jim from her label, Justin.
Klaasen is the daughter of the late jazz musician Thandi Klaasen, a contemporary of Miriam Makeba. It pleases the organisers that South African music is cherished every day by music lovers across the globe. Our music has been sold on global platforms from the days of Makeba, Hugh Masekela and, in this generation, the likes of Klaasen and Black Coffee.
The SAMW is used to share “South Africa’s extraordinary music talent with locals and international markets and vice versa in a cross-border exchange of networking, panel discussions and performances – and it is free to attend”.
“A third Southern African Music Market Access Guide will be launched at this SAMW. It is an essential guiding tool that unlocks the expansive music landscape in SADC and is a platform for the potential export of South African musicians. Therefore, the guide is handy for those looking to work with South African suppliers and artists.
“The Music Market Access Guide provides an overview of successful southern African artists. Included, are also interviews with prominent role players in SA music publishing, recorded music and the live music sector. The first edition of the guide got launched at Canadian Music Week,” says Bongani Mahlangu, of the organisers.
The SAMW will not just shine the spotlight on big-name artists. An emerging artist known as Automatic will also share the spoils. Automatic, born in Pimville, is described as an eclectic multi-talented musician, tattoo artist and fashionista who gets his inspiration from such stars as TKZee and American rock bands. These include Black Sabbath and Metallica.
Automatic’s sound is a blend of rock within an age of Amapiano craze. Automatic plays rock and dreams of following in the footsteps of his idol, Lenny Kravitz. He has sampled his work at such events as Oppikoppi and Sawubona Music Jam in Soweto.
Automatic says: “I’m just doing my thing, blending and mixing the world into a township sound everyone can vibe to. Audiences are constantly searching for a new and unique sound that captures their imagination.”
He thinks he is the answer to their prayers!
Vincent Motau, general manager at the Soweto Theatre, says: “It is with a sense of pride that we look forward to hosting the South African Music Week as it explores ways to merge music technology and business.
“We are continuously looking for ways to support, contribute to the arts and grow the music economy. Such a partnership gives an authentic platform to local and international artists and allows us to do just that.
“Our primary objective is to help recognise and celebrate music icons and others in the making when the call has been made. It is also to demonstrate the theatre’s capabilities to host an internationally acclaimed event in our world-class facilities.
“South Africa Music Week has become a highly globally anticipated event and we are honoured that this edition comes in light of our 10th anniversary. In addition, we would like to encourage Sowetans to welcome these creatives as they grace our stages and to also take part in the employment and business opportunities that the festival makes possible.”