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Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse performs on the Kippies stage during the Cape Town International Jazz Festival. Photo: Armand Hough

Forty years of fire: Sipho ‘Hotstix’ Mabuse ignites Cape Town Jazz Fest

Witnessing his fans dancing to ‘Burn Out’ proved to Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse his enduring power. The legend talks about his energy-filled performance at the Cape Town International…

British multi-instrumentalist and seven-time Grammy winner Jacob Collier performs on the Kippies stage at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival in Cape Town. Picture / Henk Kruger / Independent Media

Reinventing the Cape Town International Jazz Festival without losing the jazz

Co-director Georgia Jones says the festival’s future depends on championing African artists, drawing younger audiences and making space for genres like amapiano without losing…

Bronze monument of South African jazz legend, Kippie Moeketsi, outside the old Kippies Jazz Club in the Market Theatre complex, Johannesburg. (Hoberman Collection/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

‘From Kippie to Kippies and Beyond’: A treasure trove of jazz history

Journalist and author Sam Mathe’s ‘From Kippie to Kippies And Beyond’ profiles four generations of South African musicians, most of whom had been languishing in obscurity

Graphic: John McCann

Dear Cyril, sign the Copyright Amendment Bill

Reasonable time has now passed for you to act, say the signatories of this open letter to the president and Cabinet ministers

“When I walked out many people approached me. They wanted to be close. I was so excited. I’ll never forget it.” (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

Slice of life: ‘Most lovely night of my life’

‘I remember that I was supposed to perform about two or three songs. But the DJ ended up adding another song because everybody was just having fun’

Former GCIS head, Mzwanele Manyi. (David Harrison/M&G)

Slice of Life: Learning from a place of failure

To find self-value in an industry that at times makes artists feel small can be a lifelong journey

Spoek Mathambo performing at Bassline in Newtown

​What does foreign validation of SA music really count for?

The need for cosigns from non-Africans is a long-standing feature of the South African music industry that undermines our artists’ capabilities.

Lau has been in Johannesburg promoting his new album.

​’Examples’ shows us the musical law of Eric Lau

With talented friends around him, the electronic music producer is recrafting instrumental rap with his latest album.

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​Babes Wodumo: The queen of gqom with dololo cares

She has no concerns but – as the new ‘Mercedes’ single suggests – the celebrity trap awaits her.

Awkward frontman Linda Buthelezi has returned with a quiet

Linda Buthelezi and his new God Sons and Daughter outfit re-emerges revived

After years of hiding and seeking, the former BLK JKS frontman has again reappeared armed with a fresh approach to his work.

Paolo Nutini makes a comeback with new album

The Scottish singer-songwriter has released his first album in five years, titled "Caustic Love".

We’ve found Onyeabor, but don’t ask about Russia

In hiding: The determinedly elusive musician William Onyeabor was finally tracked down in his home town Enugu in Nigeria this year.

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Britpop vets Blur hint at possible new album

Blur frontman Damon Albarn has told a concert crowd that the band’s visit to Hong Kong is a chance for them to "record another record".

Friday Q&A: Brenda Mtambo

Brenda Mtambo is ­taking centre stage, but on her own terms — rejecting trends to follow her heart.

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Miguel: Inheriting Prince’s throne

Performing in SA this weekend, Grammy Award-winning R&B singer Miguel speaks to the M&G about being a "product", making musical compromises and more.

Courage amid the confusion

Nakhane Toure’s debut album is the sound of a young artist trying to establish his place in the world — and it sounds mesmerising.

Clout’s Cindy Alter says they ‘got screwed’ out of money.

Royalty payments lack a coda

A court battle over the formula for payouts looms and musicians will have to wait for any money, writes Phillip de Wet.

Baluji Shrivastav

Music lights up lives of the blind

Growing up in Iran, Fereshteh Khosroujerdy loved to sing. Everyone who heard her in the streets would hug her and tell her how beautiful it was.

How many notes would a virtuoso violinist pay for a Stradivarius?

A study has found musicians cannot tell from sound alone whether they are playing an old classic instrument or one made last week.

Music legend John Martyn dead at 60

Cult British singer-songwriter John Martyn, a contemporary of Eric Clapton, has died aged 60.