On Sunday 28 February, The Mannenberg welcomes an exciting afternoon double-bill featuring two young women artists of the southern African region who are bursting with creativity, and going places in 2010 – Zimbabwe’s own Thanda Richardson, and ‘Jazz P’ of Swaziland.

 

A colourful collaboration between two such strong but different personalities and styles can be expected, with the energetic and explosive dancehall reggae - ‘the thunder’ of Thanda & Da Imani Troddaz welcoming one of Swaziland’s fast-rising young hiphop artists - Phephile Hlophe a.k.a. ‘Jazz P’.

 

Jazz P fuses the spoken word with afro-percussion, jazz seasoned with a touch of ragga and soul, applying her unique style of hiphop in different genres and forms.  She is influenced by artists like Busta Rhymes, Pitch Black, Lauren Hill, and Thandiswa, among others, and is currently working on a collaborative album ‘Temaswati’, a project by Alliance Francaise with 10 of Swaziland’s best female artists, which will be released in April, presented at the popular Bushfire Festival in Mbabane this year, and reach the world through the worldwide Alliance Francaise network.  Jazz P is also involved in “Tristan going for the Truffles” a music collaboration with Finland which features top Swazi artist Nana Magagula.

 

‘Jazz P’ was born in the lowveld region of Swaziland, and after reaching acclaim in her own homeland, has spread further to the region.  Her first visit to Zimbabwe in July 2009 paired her up with popular young poet ‘Outspoken’, at which time she also met and made firm friends with Thanda Richardson, resulting in the invitation from Thanda to ‘hook up’ this weekend in Harare.  

 

 

 

 

Alice ‘THANDA’ Richardson is a livewire on the local Zimbabwe music scene, known and applauded for her passion and energy for dancehall reggae and ragga – what she calls “a fusion for the youth of the 21st Century”.  She’s live, and she’s loved by many.  In 2009 she performed in Harare and Denmark with the hiphop group Bikstok Rogsystem, and also with youth festival Umoja.  Thanda writes her own music, and is now working on her first album ‘Give Thanks and Praise’ featuring ‘Only Jah, Jah He knows’ which speaks of people as individuals, ‘cos only Jah knows what’s inside of you!’

 

This Sunday 28 Feb afternoon performance promises to be a flavourful and energetic celebration of sisterhood, with guest appearances expected from poets Xapa, Aura,  Flowchyld, and others – not to be missed!

 

Pamberi Trust’s gender programme FLAME offers support for this artists’ initiative,  in line with its objectives to promote women artists of Zimbabwe, and develop artistic links within the Southern African region.