Simphiwe Dana Profile

Growing up in rural Transkei, Dana began singing ceremonial circumcision and wedding songs to herself as early as 5 - 12 years, during her solitary walks to fetch water from the community well. Her early childhood have taught her an enormous amount that you can not deny when you listen to her heart rending, soul deep African jazz music which spread the massage of love, hardship, perseverance and determination through out her people and the world over. She also soaked up influences from local artists such as Madosini and Amampondo, who she heard their music played on the radio, and the gospel singing in her local church. All this was concrete that inspired and cemented the yet to be inspirational songbird, who discovered her gift of singing in its earliest incipience. More can be heard on her two offerings to date ­ Zandisile (2004) and The One Love Movement On Bantu Biko Street (2007). Her soothing voice takes you back to that golden era in South Africa’s history, to that Neo-soul destination, establishing her reputation as a more spiritual and introspective musician and songwriter. It is modern South African music with a timeless revolutionary message. Her music is about the every day struggle of black people, despite South Africa’s supposed freedom, and status as a democracy. 'I am a very cultured person’, she says, ‘as an African person we were made to feel inferior and a lot of African people stopped practicing their culture because it was seen and regarded as superstition or uncivilized. Through her lulling voice and powerfully captivating lyrics one can quickly rush to a conclusion that this is a remnant of the almost forgotten and discarded African ancient. It prepares you for pure African sojourn and allows you to get back to your ancient roots and be able to fuse with your past.

The loss of one’s identity begins when they forgets their language. It is a crucial point, indeed the failure to define yourself, and express yourself in second language deteriorates one’s chances of vividly make an impact to their lives and fellow mens. Language is the wheel to our culture and it is imperative that our languages be preserved and passed on to the next generations. 'I sing about finding yourself, accepting yourself so you can change yourself for the better, loving yourself’. Simphiwe’s lyrics appeals tremendously to the social way of life and are directed mainly at restoring pride and dignity on the modern African youth who finds themselves drifting between a distant past and at a high risk of acculturation. “Our major thrust hence is to find a starting point in our endeavours to save this beautiful continent ”. This immediately translates to me a challenge to find in my language, cosmology (Xhosa) and art that which is central or intrinsic to us all – A sense of a deep emotional identity that transcends joy and pain.‘I like the fact that I have a unique sound and I don’t purposefully follow trends. I would advise other people who want to become a musician to be creative about what they do rather than trying to imitate others. If you have the love for something and you are passionate about it, then you will stop at nothing to do it. And no matter what you do in life always remember where your roots lie’.
Simphiwe performs with a band consisting of South Africa’s finest crop of vocalist and instrumentalist.With her strong penchant for jazz, a soulful, wavering voice, strong and deep political stance. No wander merely a year after her debut album, has seen her rocketed to the musical charts and become one of the few recording artists to currently have her music studied by the Eastern University of Oregon, a department headed by Professor John McKinnon. Her music draws together traditional African sounds, powerful political lyrics and a strong jazz line into a thrilling performance. The leading light of South African music, Dana is a spectacular performer.


Performances

In her short spanned career, she has received many invitations to perform on big concerts and for honorable personalities and shared stage with notable and excelled musicians. With the brand of her music that is irresistibly wayward and so persuasively soothing like a hornbill to the ear, she is one of the few renowned South African female acts that has rocked the Mzansi, across Africa and abroad, with her music that exhibit a total African traditional flare. Asking her what prompted her to fame she would quickly mention the love for what she does. ‘There is no love in doing something and you don’t give your all to it’ Among the notable performances she has put, she has performed at the Noble Peace Prize Winner, Madiba’s 83rd birthday, a regular performer at the international platform, organized by the Arts Alive. She also performed at the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz, an event that bring down together acts from across the globe, for days. She is one of South African female artist with a vast experience and has toured many parts of the world.
•Madiba’s 83rd birthday – 2001
•Arts Alive – 2005
•Standard Bank Joy of Jazz - 2005

Achievements

• Simphiwe has scouped an asssortenment of accolades and honors along her career both on home soil and abroad. With her debut album nominated as the Best Jazz Vocal Album and winning the Best Newcommer contributing to the starndards of women in the industry. She hasn’t looked back, touring Switzerland where she received the Avo Session Arising Star in 2006. She has been nominated for 2008 BBc Radio 3 Awards for World Music - Africa
• SAMA award winner, successful debut album, soundtrack cuts from Yizo Yizo 3, more than half a decade of electrifying live performances worldwide. Dana shared the stage with Afro-pop star Angelique Kidjo during her performance at the Johannesburg Music Hall (JMH) on 23 July 2004.

Goals

• One Love Movement on Bantu Biko – Babuyile
This is a project bend on propagating a deep understanding on the Black Consciousness Philosophy.