Simphiwe Dana
b. 1980, Gcuwa, Transkei, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Dana’s father was a preacher and as she grew up she heard church music in both choral and gospel forms. From 2002 she sang in small clubs in Johannesburg where she began attracting attention. She made a major impact in South Africa with the release in 2004 of Zandisile. The album sold very well and gained several awards, including a South African Music Award (SAMA) as Best Jazz Vocal album in 2005. Dana also received a SAMA as Best Newcomer. On its worldwide release the album gained success in the Billboard charts and she won an AVO Session Basel Award.
Dana, who has been likened to singers such as Miriam Makeba and Dorothy Masuka, sings an artful musical form that blends traditional African music with contemporary soul and hence shows hints of gospel and blues. The depth of her musical portrayals is such that she has drawn approval from an older generation of South Africans, especially women, while her youth and grasp of contemporary pop has endeared her to the young audience. Among the songs in Dana’s repertoire are ‘Ndiredi’, ‘Troubled Soldier’, ‘Chula Ukunyathela’, ‘Bantu Biko Street’, ‘Zundiqondisise’, ‘Uzobuya Nini’, ‘Sonini Nanini’ and ‘Naphakade’. She also sings the theme song of the Yizo Yizo television show.
© TiVo
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Discography
9 album(s) • Sorted by Bestseller
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The One Love Movement on Bantu Biko Street
Jazz - Released by Gallo Record Company on 17 Nov 2006
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Bamako
Vocal Music (Secular and Sacred) - Released by Universal Music (Pty) Ltd. on 24 Apr 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Zandisile
Miscellaneous - Released by Gallo Record Company on 23 Jul 2004
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Firebrand (Special Edition)
Pop - Released by Universal Music (Pty) Ltd. on 21 Aug 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Kulture Noir
Jazz - Released by Gallo Record Company on 12 Jul 2010
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Singles
Contemporary Jazz - Released by Gallo Record Company on 19 Jul 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Live at the Lyric Theatre
Africa - Released by Gallo Record Company on 25 Apr 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Grand Masters
Jazz - Released by Gallo Record Company on 21 Aug 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Celebrating Ten Years Live At the Bassline
Soul - Released by African Cream Music on 18 Mar 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo