It’s that time again to let loose with Thandiswa Mazwai.
King Tha as she is affectionately known brings Fetish, at Newtown Music Factory just in time to start the jam packed Freedom weekend off.
She will be joined throughout the night on stage by her famed rock star friends, the BLK JKS. In between there will be a hot line-up of DJs who will make it the biggest party in Jozi.
“The theme for this party is Fetish, so I am looking forward to seeing what the legendary children will be wearing as we dance the night away,” said Mazwai, who is not just known for her amazing voice but also her eccentric dress style.
The dictionary defines Fetish as an excessive and irrational devotion or commitment to a particular thing, but for fans of Mazwai, this fetish is one to look forward to.
“Fetish denotes an obsession and it evokes another part of our psyche, a part that is, in fact, very creative,“ she explained.
“But really, it’s about my obsession with music and experimenting. I will be playing with BLK JKS in a soundclash called KING THA vs. BLK JKS. So throw away your inhibitions and expectations and be prepared for many sexy musical surprises.”
Over the last 20 years Mazwai has been one of the most influential local musicians of this generation. She began her career in 1998 with Bongo Maffin, one of the pioneering bands of Kwaito. After six award−winning albums with Bongo Maffin, she ventured into a solo career. Zabalaza, her 2004 debut project, reached double platinum status and won numerous awards and her critically acclaimed second album ‘Ibokwe’ five years later, reached gold status in the first few weeks of its release. Her third solo studio album, Belede (released in 2016), is a collection of reinterpretations of legendary South African Jazz and protest anthems from the 1950s and 1960s. Thandiswa’s selection is inspired by the music she listened to whilst growing up, and her reframing of these classics serves as commentary on South Africa’s contemporary political landscape.
Her compositions today include traditional Xhosa rhythms, mbaqanga, reggae, kwaito, house, funk and jazz.
Last year Mazwai hosted ‘King Tha Day’ on her birthday, March 31 as a precursor for the Amandlawomxnfest. It was a celebration of women in all their forms.
Fetish takes place on Friday.