Artists to look out for at Zakifo

Don’t miss these acts at Zakifo Music Festival this year, writes Buhle Mbonambi

I’ve always billed Zakifo as the music festival where you get exposed to musicians you hadn’t heard of before. So here are four acts I believe will leave with a new fan base after their performances at Zakifo this year.

WHO: DJ Lag

WHAT: The official king of gqom music, he is one of the pioneers of the sound and has helped to export it. He rarely spends time in South Africa due to being constantly on tour in Europe and Asia. Seeing him play in his hometown will be a revelatory experience for many. He’s expected to show people why he’s regarded as the King of Gqom.

SONGS: Trip To New York, Momish and Umshudo WHEN: May 25, Views at Twenty5

WHO: Bylwansta

WHAT: Rapper Bylwansta is one of the rising stars of the genre and is one that is on many true hip hop fan’s must-watch list. Fresh off a performance at the Michaelhouse Music Festival, the Kokstad-born rapper is ready to claim his place as a contender in the rap game.

SONGS: Oh Well, Lindiwe, NORMVL Still and Funny How

WHEN: May 25, Views at Twenty5

WHO: BCUC (Pictured)

WHAT: Think of any genre that makes people go spiritual, merge with a contemporary genre, you have BCUC. BCUC is a music collective from Soweto and their music is a blend of genres, resulting in some pretty interesting sounds. Anything goes really – that’s where the brilliance comes from. BCUC stands for Bantu Continua Uhuru Consciousness.

SONGS: Rise Up, Insimbi and Lefatshe Lena

WHEN: May 26, Views at Twenty5.

WHO: Nakhane

WHAT: Uh, I don’t even think that I should convince you to see Nakhane perform. Just do it. Fresh off a Safta win for Best Actor in Inxeba: The Wound (and a performance in Cannes during the film festival) Nakhane is back with new music and he is ready to rock everyone’s soul at Zakifo this year. Have never heard of him or his music? Well, Nakhane is one of the most exciting musicians we have in the country right now and his bluesy, alternative sound is what has made him one of the artists most musicians would love to work with.

SONGS: In The Dark Room, Presbyteria and Abraham. WHEN: May 27, Blue Lagoon Beach