Being a well oiled machine and all, OppiKoppi Productions is adding the names of some shoo-wah South African musicians to the impressive list of artists we book for all your entertainment requirements. We’ve got all bases covered, and you thought we only do two festivals a year. Go ahead - Scroll down to see who is in our stable...
aKING
“aKING is a band that has single-handedly changed the way in which rock music is ingested, digested and ultimately celebrated.” – Jason Curtis, New Media Publishing.
aKING is an audio diary of life and survival in the suburbs. Expect uncompromising, focused energy. Sing-along alternative country-inspired songs and Classic Rock anthems are at the order of the day. The tongue-in-cheek and cynical, yet sometimes sentimental lyrics are mixed with an infectious, positive energy to accurately describe the strange contrast of their unique socio-political situation. aKING is a band with unlimited aspirations, but totally aware and in-tune with where they come from.
http://www.aking.co.za
http://www.myspace.com/akingband
SIPHO "HOTSTIX" MABUSE
During his musical career spanning over 28 years, Hotstix has performed in virtually every country in Southern Africa, has toured and performed in the United States of America, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Italy. He has also recorded and produced for, amongst others, Mirriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela, Ray Phiri and Sibongile Khumalo.
Sipho attributes his tenacity to God's guiding hand. He says that without God he would have long lost hope. "He has helped me position myself amongst the total musicians like Themba Mkhize, Khaya Mahlangu, Robbie Jansen and Sipho Gumede.
TIDAL WAVES
'Tidal Waves played a
steaming and catching reggae set at this year's Pukkelpop Festival in Belgium.‘It was amazing to see how they pulled a fully crowded tent at an alternative festival at the same time as Nick Cave was playing, and got all the people to dance. They really represented the good and bad sides of South Africa with their warm and sunny, but also political music. Off stage we greatly appreciated these 100% pure people.’ - Chokri Mahassine from Pukkelpop.
Tidal Waves write and perform
original reggae music with
traditional African musical influences like
maskandi and mbaqanga. The sound is original roots reggae with
strong rock, ska and blues strands. Like all good reggae, their lyrics are
socially conscious and uplifting, railing against the government for not respecting the Rainbow Nation and imploring their fans to stand up for integration and one love. Other songs have deeply rooted anti war sentiments, while others lament the sad tales of urban South African poverty and the struggle to survive as musicians in the global capitalist economy.
http://www.myspace.com/tidalwavestunes
VUSI MAHLASELA (SA bookings only)
"Vusi Mahlasela sings as a bird does: in total response to being alive.
Music was at the
heart of the struggle for
freedom;
Vusi was there. Music is at the heart of reconstruction; Vusi's music is here to stir and delight us. He is a national treasure."
-Nadine Gordimer, 1991 Nobel Prize winner.
Mahlasela, an
accomplished guitarist, percussionist, composer, arranger, band leader and performer, has bridged generations at home and abroad. His sound is a hybrid of folk, world, blues and soul, one that connects South Africa’s Apartheid-scarred past with its promise for a better future. Mahlasela’s poetic folk music has become legendary for reaching deep within Mzansi’s soul to lament and celebrate the collective tales that make up the tapestry of our peoples. He is a truly gifted performer. A gift that comes with responsibility, says Vusi: “I know that I have something that is like a borrowed fire from God. And I have to use it in a very positive way.”
http://www.vusimahlasela.com
For more information on these artists, or to make a booking for your event, please contact: Jessica Schnehage on +27 82 400 0640 or jessica@oppikoppi.co.za.