Simphiwe Dana

b. 1980, Gcuwa, Transkei, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Dana’s dad was a preacher so when she was raised she heard cathedral music both in choral and gospel forms. From 2002 she sang in little night clubs in Johannesburg where she started attracting interest. She made a significant influence in South Africa using the discharge in 2004 of Zandisile. The record sold perfectly and gained many honours, including a South African Music Award (SAMA) as Greatest Jazz Vocal record in 2005. Dana also received a SAMA as Greatest Newcomer. On its worldwide discharge the album obtained success within the Billboard graphs and she gained an AVO Program Basel Honor. Dana, that has been likened to performers such as for example Miriam Makeba and Dorothy Masuka, sings an artful musical type that mixes traditional African music with modern soul and therefore shows suggestions of gospel and blues. The depth of her musical portrayals is definitely such that she’s drawn authorization from a mature era of South Africans, specifically ladies, while her youngsters and understand of modern pop offers endeared her towards the youthful audience. One of the tunes in Dana’s repertoire are ‘Ndiredi’, ‘Stressed Soldier’, ‘Chula Ukunyathela’, ‘Bantu Biko Road’, ‘Zundiqondisise’, ‘Uzobuya Nini’, ‘Sonini Nanini’ and ‘Naphakade’. She also sings the theme track from the Yizo Yizo tv program.