Freshlyground are a
South Africa
South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring countri ...
n
Afro-fusion
Afrobeats (not to be confused with Afrobeat or Afroswing), or Afro-pop or Afro-fusion (or Afropop or Afrofusion), is an umbrella term to describe popular music from West Africa and the diaspora that initially developed in Nigeria, Ghana, and ...
band that formed in
Cape Town
Cape Town ( af, Kaapstad; , xh, iKapa) is one of South Africa's three capital cities, serving as the seat of the Parliament of South Africa. It is the legislative capital of the country, the oldest city in the country, and the second largest ...
in 2002. The band members have different backgrounds, including
South Africa
South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring countri ...
,
Mozambique
Mozambique (), officially the Republic of Mozambique ( pt, Moçambique or , ; ny, Mozambiki; sw, Msumbiji; ts, Muzambhiki), is a country located in southeastern Africa bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, Tanzania to the north, Malawi ...
, and
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe (), officially the Republic of Zimbabwe, is a landlocked country located in Southeast Africa, between the Zambezi and Limpopo Rivers, bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the south-west, Zambia to the north, and Mozam ...
. Freshlyground's musical style blends elements of traditional South African music (such as
kwela and African
folk music
Folk music is a music genre that includes traditional folk music and the contemporary genre that evolved from the former during the 20th-century folk revival. Some types of folk music may be called world music. Traditional folk music has b ...
),
blues
Blues is a music genre and musical form which originated in the Deep South of the United States around the 1860s. Blues incorporated spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts, chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads from the Afr ...
,
jazz
Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, it has been recognized as a major ...
, and features of
indie rock
Indie rock is a Music subgenre, subgenre of rock music that originated in the United States, United Kingdom and New Zealand from the 1970s to the 1980s. Originally used to describe independent record labels, the term became associated with the mu ...
. They are best known for their performance "
Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)
"Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)", also known as "Waka Waka (Esto es África)" in Spanish, is a song by Colombian singer Shakira, featuring the South African band Freshlyground. Written, composed, and produced by Shakira and John Hill, it was r ...
" with Colombian singer
Shakira
Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll ( , ; born 2 February 1977), professionally known by the mononym Shakira, is a Colombian singer and songwriter. Born and raised in Barranquilla, she has been referred to as the " Queen of Latin Music" and is ...
, which received worldwide recognition. The music video – featuring the group – also received over 3 billion views on
YouTube
YouTube is a global online video platform, online video sharing and social media, social media platform headquartered in San Bruno, California. It was launched on February 14, 2005, by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim. It is owned by ...
.
Band members
*
Zolani Mahola (2002–2019) –
lead vocals
The lead vocalist in popular music is typically the member of a group or band whose voice is the most prominent melody in a performance where multiple voices may be heard. The lead singer sets their voice against the accompaniment parts of t ...
*Simon Attwell (2002–present) –
flute
The flute is a family of classical music instrument in the woodwind group. Like all woodwinds, flutes are aerophones, meaning they make sound by vibrating a column of air. However, unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is a reedless ...
saxophone
The saxophone (often referred to colloquially as the sax) is a type of single-reed woodwind instrument with a conical body, usually made of brass. As with all single-reed instruments, sound is produced when a reed on a mouthpiece vibrates to pr ...
keyboard
Keyboard may refer to:
Text input
* Keyboard, part of a typewriter
* Computer keyboard
** Keyboard layout, the software control of computer keyboards and their mapping
** Keyboard technology, computer keyboard hardware and firmware
Music
* Musi ...
and
band management
*Peter Cohen (2002–present) –
drums
A drum kit (also called a drum set, trap set, or simply drums) is a collection of drums, cymbals, and other Percussion instrument, auxiliary percussion instruments set up to be played by one person. The player (drummer) typically holds a pair o ...
*Julio "Gugs" Sigauque (2002–present) –
lead guitar
Lead guitar (also known as solo guitar) is a musical part for a guitar in which the guitarist plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs and chords within a song structure. The lead is the featur ...
(steel-string acoustic guitar)
*Chris "Bakkies" Bakalanga (2016–present) – lead guitar
*
Kyla-Rose Smith
Kyla-Rose Smith (born 10 September 1982) is a South African violinist, singer, and dancer, she performs with the Afropop musical ensemble Freshlyground, and with Kolo Novo Movie Band, a large ensemble that performs fusion music based on the music ...
(2003–2016) –
violin
The violin, sometimes known as a ''fiddle'', is a wooden chordophone (string instrument) in the violin family. Most violins have a hollow wooden body. It is the smallest and thus highest-pitched instrument (soprano) in the family in regular ...
and vocals
*Josh Hawks (2002–present) – bass, backing vocals
*Shaggy Scheepers (2008–present) –
percussion
A percussion instrument is a musical instrument that is sounded by being struck or scraped by a beater including attached or enclosed beaters or rattles struck, scraped or rubbed by hand or struck against another similar instrument. Exc ...
*Aron Turest-Swartz (2002–2009) –
keyboard
Keyboard may refer to:
Text input
* Keyboard, part of a typewriter
* Computer keyboard
** Keyboard layout, the software control of computer keyboards and their mapping
** Keyboard technology, computer keyboard hardware and firmware
Music
* Musi ...
History
''Jika Jika'' (2003)
Freshlyground released their debut album, ''Jika Jika'', in early 2003. The commercial success of this album ultimately kick-started their career and re-affirmed their reputation as a fresh and vibrant young face in South African music. The commercial success of this album launched their career through their reputation as a vibrant South African band. The exposure from this album resulted in an invitation for the band to perform at both the
Harare
Harare (; formerly Salisbury ) is the capital and most populous city of Zimbabwe. The city proper has an area of 940 km2 (371 mi2) and a population of 2.12 million in the 2012 census and an estimated 3.12 million in its metropolitan ...
International Festival of the Arts and the
Robben Island
Robben Island ( af, Robbeneiland) is an island in Table Bay, 6.9 kilometres (4.3 mi) west of the coast of Bloubergstrand, north of Cape Town, South Africa. It takes its name from the Dutch word for seals (''robben''), hence the Dutch/Afrik ...
African Festival. This album was remixed by Keith Farquharson, remastered by Chris Athens and re-released in 2008.
''Nomvula'' (2004–2006)
In 2004, Freshlyground participated in the opening of
Parliament of South Africa
The Parliament of the Republic of South Africa is South Africa's legislature; under the present Constitution of South Africa, the bicameral Parliament comprises a National Assembly and a National Council of Provinces. The current twenty-seve ...
by perfoganised as a celebration of ten years of
democracy
Democracy (From grc, δημοκρατία, dēmokratía, ''dēmos'' 'people' and ''kratos'' 'rule') is a form of government in which the people have the authority to deliberate and decide legislation (" direct democracy"), or to choose gov ...
in
South Africa
South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring countri ...
.
At the
Harare
Harare (; formerly Salisbury ) is the capital and most populous city of Zimbabwe. The city proper has an area of 940 km2 (371 mi2) and a population of 2.12 million in the 2012 census and an estimated 3.12 million in its metropolitan ...
International Festival of the Arts (
HIFA
Healthcare Information For All (HIFA) is a global campaign and community of practice of health professionals, publishers, librarians, technologists, researchers, policymakers, and patient representatives, working to improve the availability and u ...
), Freshlyground performed with
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe (), officially the Republic of Zimbabwe, is a landlocked country located in Southeast Africa, between the Zambezi and Limpopo Rivers, bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the south-west, Zambia to the north, and Mozam ...
an musician
Oliver Mtukudzi.
The band went on to perform alongside local legend
Miriam Makeba, as well as
Stanley Clarke and
Femi Kuti at the North Sea Jazz Festival, held during April in
Cape Town
Cape Town ( af, Kaapstad; , xh, iKapa) is one of South Africa's three capital cities, serving as the seat of the Parliament of South Africa. It is the legislative capital of the country, the oldest city in the country, and the second largest ...
. July also marked a break from the recording studio for the band, who had been working hard on their then unreleased album ''Nomvula''. The band took this time to perform at the Villa Celimontana Festival in
Rome
, established_title = Founded
, established_date = 753 BC
, founder = King Romulus (legendary)
, image_map = Map of comune of Rome (metropolitan city of Capital Rome, region Lazio, Italy).svg
, map_caption ...
,
Italy
Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical re ...
.
Finally, in late 2004, Freshlyground released their very successful album, ''Nomvula''. Although the uptake of the album was initially slow, it eventually went on to achieve
double platinum status locally. Initial success was largely due to the catchy, feel-good, lyrics of ''Doo Be Doo'', which enjoyed significant play on local radio, it was also covered in
Indonesian
Indonesian is anything of, from, or related to Indonesia, an archipelagic country in Southeast Asia. It may refer to:
* Indonesians, citizens of Indonesia
** Native Indonesians, diverse groups of local inhabitants of the archipelago
** Indonesian ...
by singer
Gita Gutawa
Aluna Sagita Gutawa (born 11 August 1993), better known as Gita Gutawa, is an Indonesian soprano, actress, and lyricist songwriter. She is also the daughter of composer Erwin Gutawa.
Although she originally studied piano, Gutawa later switche ...
. Follow-up hits included ''I'd like'' and the signature track ''Nomvula'', the former achieving unprecedented success on radio charts such as the
5FM
5FM is a South African FM radio station that follows a Top 40 music format and is owned by the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), South Africa's public broadcaster. SABC announced the appointment of Mr. JD Mostert as Business Mana ...
Top 40, where it remained at No. 1 for several weeks.
''Ma'Cheri'' (2007)
The album ''Ma'Cheri'' was released on 3 September 2007. The album was again produced by JB Arthur and Victor Masondo, engineered by David Langemann and was recorded in
Cape Town
Cape Town ( af, Kaapstad; , xh, iKapa) is one of South Africa's three capital cities, serving as the seat of the Parliament of South Africa. It is the legislative capital of the country, the oldest city in the country, and the second largest ...
. The first single is called ''Pot Belly'' followed by ''Fired Up'' and ''Desire''.
''Radio Africa'' (2010)
Freshlyground's album ''Radio Africa'' was released in May 2010, and as part of the album release, they released a collaborative music video with the ''ZANews'' puppeteers. A satirical track about Robert Mugabe (Chicken to Change) has received coverage in the British media.
Cape Town Stadium Soccer Festival
On 23 January 2010, Freshlyground performed at the official inauguration game at the new
Cape Town Stadium
The Cape Town Stadium ( af, Kaapstad-stadion; xh, Inkundla yezemidlalo yaseKapa) is an association football (soccer) and rugby union stadium in Cape Town, South Africa, that was built for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. During the planning stage, it wa ...
, where local Cape Town football clubs
Ajax Cape Town and
Santos played each other in a match decided on penalties.
2010 FIFA World Cup
A song by Colombian pop star
Shakira
Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll ( , ; born 2 February 1977), professionally known by the mononym Shakira, is a Colombian singer and songwriter. Born and raised in Barranquilla, she has been referred to as the " Queen of Latin Music" and is ...
and Freshlyground was the official song of the
2010 FIFA World Cup
, image = 2010 FIFA World Cup.svg
, size = 200px
, caption = ''Ke Nako. (Tswana and Sotho for "It's time") Celebrate Africa's Humanity'It's time. Celebrate Africa's Humanity'' (English)''Dis tyd. Vier Afrika se mensd ...
. The song, titled "
Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)
"Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)", also known as "Waka Waka (Esto es África)" in Spanish, is a song by Colombian singer Shakira, featuring the South African band Freshlyground. Written, composed, and produced by Shakira and John Hill, it was r ...
", is based on "
Zangalewa", a popular
Makossa African soldiers' song by
Golden Sounds
Golden Sounds, later known as Zangaléwa, was a makossa group from Cameroon, formed in 1984 by active members of Cameroon's presidential guard: Jean Paul Zé Bella, Dooh Belley, Luc Eyebe and Emile Kojidie. The group is most famous for its song, ...
. "Zangalewa" was a hit single in Colombia in 1987. Shakira and Freshlyground performed the song at the pre-tournament kick-off concert in Soweto on 10 June.
The following July, the band also took part in the official handing-over ceremony, which took place in
South Africa
South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring countri ...
.
''The Legend'' (2013)
"This album captures the emotion, the passion and the energy of our live performances", explains violinist Kyla-Rose Smith adding, "our live concerts have always been at the bedrock of our popularity", she says.
Honours
In 2005, Freshlyground was nominated for three
South African Music Awards
The South African Music Awards (often simply the SAMAs) are the Recording Industry of South Africa's music industry awards, established in 1995. The ceremony is held annually, usually in late April or May, with the judging process starting in N ...
for their 2004 album, ''Nomvula''. Although they won no SAMAs that year, in 2008 the
Recording Industry of South Africa awarded them the coveted Best Duo or Group SAMA. In the same year, their 2007 album ''Ma' Cheri'' won the prestigious Album of the Year SAMA, as well as Best Adult Contemporary Album: English, and Best Engineer.
At the 2006
MTV Europe Music Awards in Copenhagen, Freshlyground became the first South African musical act to receive honours from
MTV
MTV (Originally an initialism of Music Television) is an American cable channel that launched on August 1, 1981. Based in New York City, it serves as the flagship property of the MTV Entertainment Group, part of Paramount Media Networks, a di ...
, when they received the
MTV Europe Music Award for Best African Act
The following is a list of the MTV Europe Music Award winners and nominees for Best African Act.
Winners and nominees
Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold.
2000s
The award was retired in favour of the MTV Africa Music Awards
The ...
.
At the 2008
Channel O Music Video Awards
Channel O Africa Music Video Awards, once known as Spirit of Africa Music Video Awards, are Pan-African music awards organised by South Africa -based Channel O television channel. The awards were first held in 2003 under the name Reel Music Video A ...
, the band received the "Best Africa, Southern" accolade for their single "Pot Belly". In 2008 the band was awarded the South African Music Awards for their album "Macheri."
Discography
Albums
''Jika Jika'' (2003)
# "Train Love" (4:12)
# "Ocean Floor" (3:15)
# "Rain" (5:07)
# "Castles in the Sky" (3:20)
# "Feels Like Sunday" (3:40)
# "Mbira No. 2" (2:18)
# "Zipho Phezulu" (3:06)
# "Mali" (4:07)
# "Castles in the Sky" (3:36)
# "Mowbray Kaap" (6:04)
# "Nomvula" (7:27)
''Nomvula'' (2004)
(#ITA 96
)
# "I am the man" (4:57)
# "Nomvula" (4:46)
# "Manyana" (5:13)
# "Vanish" (5:20)
# "Zithande" (4:40)
# "I'd like" (6:25)
# "Doo Be Doo" (5:14)
# "Things Have Changed" (4:17)
# "Buttercup" (5:37)
# "Human Angels" (6:25)
# "Father Please" (4:03)
# "Mowbray Kaap" (6:03)
# "Touch in the Night" (2:44)
# "Doo Be Doo (Remix)" (European bonus track)
''Ma' Cheri'' (2007)
# "Ma' Cheri" (4:31)
# "Desire" (4:13)
# "Pot Belly" (4:15)
# "Ask Me" (4:26)
# "Baby Tonight" (4:51)
# "Fired Up" (4:11)
# "Gogorilla" (4:18)
# "Arms of Steel" (4:32)
# "Pink Confetti" (3:47)
# "Zulu Lounge" (5:52)
# "Ivana" (4:18)
# "Umalume" (5:15)
# "Crimson Smile" (3:36)
# "Manikiniki" (6:30)
# "Air Hostess" (bonus track) (4:09)
''Radio Africa'' (2010)
# "Moto" (3:39)
# "Fire Is Low" (4:02)
# "The Dream of Love" (3:29)
# "Big Man feat. Les Nubians" (3:47)
# "Baba" (3:16)
# "Baby in Silence" (3:40)
# "Would You Mind" (3:08)
# "Vula Amehlo" (3:51)
# "Chicken to Change" (4:20)
# "Working Class" (4:01)
# "Whaliphalaligazi" (4:22)
# "Waka Waka (Afro Fab Mix)" (3:24)
onus Track
Onus, from Latin, indicates accountability/responsibility
Onus may also refer to:
* Blame
* Burden (disambiguation)
* Legal burden of proof (''onus probandi'')
As a surname
* Bill Onus (1906-68), Australian Aboriginal political activist, boom ...
# "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" (5:23)
onus Track
Onus, from Latin, indicates accountability/responsibility
Onus may also refer to:
* Blame
* Burden (disambiguation)
* Legal burden of proof (''onus probandi'')
As a surname
* Bill Onus (1906-68), Australian Aboriginal political activist, boom ...
# "Big Man (Beefcake Mix)" (3:31)
onus Track
Onus, from Latin, indicates accountability/responsibility
Onus may also refer to:
* Blame
* Burden (disambiguation)
* Legal burden of proof (''onus probandi'')
As a surname
* Bill Onus (1906-68), Australian Aboriginal political activist, boom ...
''Take Me to the Dance'' (2012)
# "Chain Gang" (3:35)
# "Everything" (3:55)
# "Nomthandazo" (4:08)
# "Not Too Late for Love" (3:59)
# "Take Me to the Dance" (4:06)
# "The Man Moves" (3:20)
# "Won't Let Go" (4:14)
# "Mina Nobhiza" (5:35)
# "Dancing Baby" (0:56)
# "The Message" (5:16)
# "Leave a Light On" (3:50)
# "Shake It (Julst Like You Wanna)" (3:57)
# "You Would Love" (4:49)
# "Party Time" (3:22)
# "Everybody Must Get Stoned" (bonus track) (0:36)
''The Legend'' (2013)
# "Izihlangu" (4:55)
# "Africa Unite" (4:03)
# "Shake It" (3:50)
# "Refugee" (3:54)
# "Take Me to the Dance
oxsta Remix (4:39)
# "Beautiful Boy" (4:00)
# "Everything" (3:54)
# "How Low Can Yu Go" (3:21)
# "Yeah Yeah" (4:12)
# "Rain
ive at Guild Theater, East London (6:27)
# "Doo Be Doo
ive at Guild Theater, East London (6:36)
# "Rain
ive at Guild Theater, East London (7:00)
# "Waka Waka
ive at Centenary Hall, New Brighton, Port Elizabeth (5:57)
As featured artists
* "
Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)
"Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)", also known as "Waka Waka (Esto es África)" in Spanish, is a song by Colombian singer Shakira, featuring the South African band Freshlyground. Written, composed, and produced by Shakira and John Hill, it was r ...
"
(2010 FIFA World Cup single by Shakira
Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll ( , ; born 2 February 1977), professionally known by the mononym Shakira, is a Colombian singer and songwriter. Born and raised in Barranquilla, she has been referred to as the " Queen of Latin Music" and is ...
)
References
External links
*
{{Authority control
Folk music groups
Musical groups from Cape Town
South African musical groups
Wrasse Records artists
MTV Europe Music Award winners