Award-winning Afro-soul singer Berita Khumalo will be bringing her new sounds to East London this week. She will be singing some of her songs from her latest album at the Venue@Hemingways this Friday.
Berita’s hit single Thandolwethu from her debut album Conquering Spirit set her on a wave of success, which shows no sign of breaking as she has just returned from a performance overseas.
“I recently came back from the Netherlands where I was performing at the Kwaku Festival through a cultural exchange between the Eastern Cape and Amsterdam.
“This was in celebration of Mandela Day,” said Berita.
The debut album went on to win the Metro FM award for best Afro-pop Album and won an award for songwriter of the year at the Wawela Music awards.
Organised by the Southern African Music Rights Organisation (Samro), the Wawela awards are aimed at recognising and celebrating Samro members – composers, authors, lyricists and publishers – who have lit up international and local stages, screens and airwaves with their dazzling talent.
Speaking about her new album, Songs of Empowerment, Berita said when she worked on the album, her main aim was to make music that would inspire and uplift listeners.
“So each and every song in the album deals with an aspect of pain, love and heartbreak as it is in real life. It is a mature album, but very true to me and what I believe in,” she said.
The 10-track album, which was released last year, was produced by the same Johannesburg-based music company, Thami Music, that produced her debut album. She collaborated with the likes of Oliver Mtukudzi and Hugh Masekela.
Berita, who was born in Zimbabwe and graduated from Walter Sisulu University, launched her career in East London, and is now based in Johannesburg.
She has just released her second single, Mwana wa Mai, featuring Mtukudzi and Masekela, to radio, and has been in East London since for rehearsals and preparation ahead of Friday’s show.
“It’s going to be a night to remember. I will share the best of my self as a soul singer and storyteller. I’m working with a recognised band in East London and we are preparing super arrangements of my songs which will allow a spirit of dance, sing-alongs and celebration,” she said.
Meanwhile, award-winning rapper AKA will also be in town this weekend. Brought by 18 GIRLZ Entertainment, who have recently hosted the likes of DJ Siyanda, Black Coffee, Bucie and DJ Fresh, AKA will be doing a walk through at major shopping malls.
Following that, a convoy will head to Mthatha where AKA will be performing at the So What Lounge. He will be back in East London on Saturday for a performance at Pulse Nightclub.
Tickets for the AKA show are available at Music Mix at the Vincent Park Shopping Mall at R100 pre-sold and R200 for a VIP ticket.
Tickets for Berita’s gig cost R120 and are available at Computicket.
lThe Daily Dispatch is giving away 10 double tickets to see Berita at the Venue@Hemingways on July 31.
To win, simply answer the following question: Where will Berita be performing this Friday? E-mail the answer to competitions@dispatch.co.za with the subject “Berita” before Friday July 31.
Book now to catch a ride on Berita’s soul train
Berita’s hit single Thandolwethu from her debut album Conquering Spirit set her on a wave of success, which shows no sign of breaking as she has just returned from a performance overseas.
“I recently came back from the Netherlands where I was performing at the Kwaku Festival through a cultural exchange between the Eastern Cape and Amsterdam.
“This was in celebration of Mandela Day,” said Berita.
The debut album went on to win the Metro FM award for best Afro-pop Album and won an award for songwriter of the year at the Wawela Music awards.
Organised by the Southern African Music Rights Organisation (Samro), the Wawela awards are aimed at recognising and celebrating Samro members – composers, authors, lyricists and publishers – who have lit up international and local stages, screens and airwaves with their dazzling talent.
Speaking about her new album, Songs of Empowerment, Berita said when she worked on the album, her main aim was to make music that would inspire and uplift listeners.
“So each and every song in the album deals with an aspect of pain, love and heartbreak as it is in real life. It is a mature album, but very true to me and what I believe in,” she said.
The 10-track album, which was released last year, was produced by the same Johannesburg-based music company, Thami Music, that produced her debut album. She collaborated with the likes of Oliver Mtukudzi and Hugh Masekela.
Berita, who was born in Zimbabwe and graduated from Walter Sisulu University, launched her career in East London, and is now based in Johannesburg.
She has just released her second single, Mwana wa Mai, featuring Mtukudzi and Masekela, to radio, and has been in East London since for rehearsals and preparation ahead of Friday’s show.
“It’s going to be a night to remember. I will share the best of my self as a soul singer and storyteller. I’m working with a recognised band in East London and we are preparing super arrangements of my songs which will allow a spirit of dance, sing-alongs and celebration,” she said.
Meanwhile, award-winning rapper AKA will also be in town this weekend. Brought by 18 GIRLZ Entertainment, who have recently hosted the likes of DJ Siyanda, Black Coffee, Bucie and DJ Fresh, AKA will be doing a walk through at major shopping malls.
Following that, a convoy will head to Mthatha where AKA will be performing at the So What Lounge. He will be back in East London on Saturday for a performance at Pulse Nightclub.
Tickets for the AKA show are available at Music Mix at the Vincent Park Shopping Mall at R100 pre-sold and R200 for a VIP ticket.
Tickets for Berita’s gig cost R120 and are available at Computicket.
lThe Daily Dispatch is giving away 10 double tickets to see Berita at the Venue@Hemingways on July 31.
To win, simply answer the following question: Where will Berita be performing this Friday? E-mail the answer to competitions@dispatch.co.za with the subject “Berita” before Friday July 31.
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