The Soil, a multiplatinum and award-winning a cappella trio, are set to perform across the world this month, with a series of gigs in Russia, China and England.
This was after they recorded a song in KwaZulu-Natal with the Grammy Award-winning is’cathamiya group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo. The song, Hamba Uyosebenza, is an original composition by Fana Ntsika Ngxanga and is set for release on iTunes after the group returns from China.
The Soil left on Tuesday for three shows in Russia, where they have also been invited to meet with Russian president, Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Wednesday.
They then fly to Saint Petersburg, where they will perform at the White Nights of St Petersburg International Music Competition.
“The Soil were invited to perform as well as compete in the competition,” said Sipho Sithole, founder of record label Native Rhythms. “Musicians from all over the world are invited to compete.”
The winning prize is $25 000 (R267 000).
“The Soil were well received when they performed on Christmas Day in Russia and were invited to perform again,” said Sithole.
They then fly to China, where they will perform at The Giant Egg National Centre for Performing Arts in Beijing on July 18.
This gig is followed by another at the World Summit Hotel the next day as part of the Nelson Mandela Day and 20 Years of Democracy celebrations hosted by the South African embassy.
At the end of the month, the “Khasi Soul” group will play four gigs in Glasgow during the Commonwealth Games.
Velile Sithole, managing director of Native Rhythms, added: “The Soil are going to the Apollo Theatre in New York for one show only before heading straight to England for a four-week tour.” - The Star