From poets to rappers to producers and everything in between, South African women artists have always shaped the country's musical landscape. In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of amplifying the voices of African female artists and showcasing their work on the global stage.
Across the globe, artists have utilised their talents to bring attention to social issues, challenge stereotypes, and advocate for marginalised communities. In Africa, female artists have played a particularly significant role in championing women's rights through their creative endeavours. From challenging cultural norms to highlighting the experiences of women, these artists have used their platforms to spark important conversations and drive change.
African female artists have faced unique challenges throughout history, including limited access to education and opportunities for artistic expression. Despite these obstacles, many women have persevered and made significant contributions to the art world.
Here are some notable African female artists who have contributed to women’s rights activism:
Musical Artists
Below, we list some exciting young women musicians who we believe are pushing boundaries in their craft and how they present it. Listed in no particular order:
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Sho Madjozi
Sho Madjozi, who is also known as Maya The Poet, is a breath of fresh air. She raps mostly in her mother tongue XiTsonga, a language of the marginalized Tsonga tribe. She fuses her hip-hop with house music and some elements of XiTsonga music.
Another interesting element of Sho Madjozi's music are her live performances, in which she does the infamous XiTsonga dance-shaking what her mama gave her like there's no tomorrow. Her single “Dumi Hi Phone" and her appearances on OkMalumKoolKat's album Mlazi Milano, PH's The Break, Wanlov The Kubolor's Orange Card: Fruitopian Raps are some of her many highlights thus far.
Zoë Modiga
Zoë Modiga's a well-rounded jazz musician-she has a great voice, is a great composer, and her live performance game makes her one of the best around. Her brand of the genre is more accessible to music fans who aren't necessarily jazz heads (and the jazz heads love her too). But what sets her apart is her approach to jazz.
Andy Mkosi
On the surface, Andy Mkosi is just another potent lyricist. But the way she presents her music puts her peers to shame. She understands that her music doesn't work in clubs.
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So she decided to bring her music to her listeners' homes in her successful Bedroom Tour, in which she performs to an intimate audience in a fan's house. Her latest EP This Audio Is Visual is followed by photography-she interpreted every song on the project with a photograph.
Fif The RaiBlaster
Fif The RaiBlaster is as leftfield as they come. Working with Iapetus Records, a label that prides itself in being free from the mainstream music machine, she fits perfectly. She and her producer Kanif The JhatMaster conjure the most sophisticated combination of vocals and hauntingly beautiful music.
She becomes an otherworldly character in her music videos which have touches of science fiction and spirituality. The visuals go well with her lyrics which explore everything from love to astronomy and astrology. Her music doesn't fit any designated genre, as she creates her own rules.
Push Push
Cape Town-based rapper Push Push is an oxymoron. There's both innocence and ferocity in her voice. Then there are her obnoxiously explicit lyrics-she cares less how you feel about her.
Push Push is confident and doesn't care if it intimidates you-actually she prefers that. Her rhymes and character sit well over her preferred beat style, which is mostly bass-heavy EDM-centric beats that induce a booty-shake as much as they do a head-bob.
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Nadia Nakai
Zimbabwean-born Nadia Nakai is signed to Cassper Nyovest's Family Tree imprint. While a reasonable number of critics may question her use of her voluptuous body for attention, she owns it so well you can't help but respect her for it.
She raps about sex unapologetically, and that earned her two verses on Stogie T's self-titled album last year. She shows her body off on music videos and live performances in an environment that's constantly trying to tame her. And her charisma does her more good than bad.
Melo B Jones
Melo B Jones's music is a cross between neo soul and R&B. In a country where most singers of her caliber usually find themselves being house vocalists or doing afro pop, she's sticking to her lane. She's worked with artists such as Ill Skillz and Reason among others.
Melo is having fun with her art-a few years ago, she posted covers of hip-hop hits on her SoundCloud page, which eventually became a trend other singers hopped on.
Msaki
Eastern Cape-born musician Msaki's music is a blend of jazz and folk. Her voice is midway between a falsetto and alto, which, needless to say, is great for your ears. The soul and sincerity in her music is reminiscent of Joan Armatrading and Tracy Chapman.
But Msaki's abilities stretch beyond that, as she has appeared on house songs by the likes of Mobi Dixon (“Love Color Spin") and Revolution (“Spring Tide"). Her album Zaneliza: How The Water Moves is a perfect listen for a Sunday morning.
Nonku Phiri
Nonku Phiri is a maverick. The artists she collaborates with are unpredictable. Staying true to her hip-hop roots, she has worked with Ill Skillz, Tumi Molekane, Zeus, Camo, among others.
But her hits come when she blends her vocals with experimental electronic production-she has made magic with the likes of Card On Spokes, Branko, PH Fat, Mr. Carmack on hits such as “Things We Do On The Weekend," “Let Me Go," and more.
Patty Monroe
Patty Monroe introduced herself to the South African music scene in pure style through her single “High Fashion." On the song she rapped over a skittering house instrumental by house music legend Culo De Song. Her single “Killin' It," featuring Uganda's Bebe Cool, saw her explore the concept of rapping over dance music instrumentals, which put her on her own lane.
Her trap single “Talk," which was produced by Durban hitmaker Sketchy Bongo, proved she could rap over anything thrown her way. Her debut album Malatjie gives a clear picture of what she's trying to achieve-the album has pop songs, and she goes beyond rapping, as she sings on some songs, to a point where it's difficult to categorize her craft according to genre.
Kajama
It's rare to find women who produce in the South African music scene. The Joburg-based sister duo, Kajama, consists of Nandi and Nongoma Ndlovu, is here to disrupt the status quo. Nandi handles most of the duo's production.
Their music is a blend of electronic music with sprinkles of East Coast hip-hop. Their soulful vocals float over spacious beats to create a futuristic sound you won't hear anywhere else except on their debut EP, Polarity Prism, which also features production from electronic music mainstay Micr. Pluto.
Shekhinah
Shekhinah has the potential to be a worldwide superstar. She makes catchy and memorable songs without being corny and repetitive. On songs like “Back To The Beach," “On It," “Let You Know," among others, she displays versatility as she sings over different production styles.
Her writing is solid, and she sings effortlessly. With her debut album, which is due out sometime this year, she could change R&B and pop music in South Africa, with her unique approach to the genre, which plays around with EDM.
Dope Saint Jude
Cape Town-based rapper Dope Saint Jude has carved her own lane, which has seen her getting handpicked by M.I.A for a campaign. It has also seen her perform in some parts of Europe and the US.
Maybe her music won't get to shake the the South African mainstream scene the way it does her niche fanbase. But her subversive lyricism which covers subjects like racism, sexuality, sexism and more, makes her an important voice of a generation that is dismantling all of the isms it faces.
OtarelWorld
Durban-based rapper OtarelWorld is not riding the incumbent trap bandwagon. She's unapologetically 90s-she spits backpack raps over sample-laden boom bap production. While modern rap places a lot of emphasis on catchy hooks and hard-hitting 808s and bass lines, OtarelWorld puts lyricism first over every other shenanigan.
Her debut mixtape Dirty All Stars is a true gift for the boom bap head, and is mixed by Grandmaster Ready D, which is a rare opportunity that not many emcees have had.
Thando Nje
Trap soul is slowly taking off in South Africa, but it has mostly been a men's game. Pretoria's Thando Nje has been steadily building her name through her SoundCloud releases. What sets her apart from most R&B singers of today is that she hardly ever uses autotune on her vocals.
She laces those cloudy pads and deep basslines with her natural voice, telling tales of love with enviable flair. Thando Nje is prolific-she has already released two projects in 2017 alone, TrustNje and New Age Soul. Also, don't sleep on her covers.
Visual Artists
Nathalie Djakou Kassi
In her sculpted piece, “Life Palava”, she tries to portray the challenges faced by women from birth to death.
"Life Palava" boldly advocates for women's rights. It uses intricate details to depict the challenges and resilience of women in modern society. The artwork blends traditional and modern elements, symbolising the tension between past and present ideologies, while highlighting women's resistance against patriarchal norms. Through this compelling composition, Kassi invites viewers to reflect on gender equality and the ongoing struggle for women's rights, making "Life Palava" a powerful artistic statement.
Njideka Akunyili Crosby
Nigerian-American artist Njideka Akunyili Crosby explores themes of identity, belonging, and female empowerment in her paintings. "I Refuse to be Invisible" depicts intimate scenes of domestic life, celebrating the strength and resilience of women while rejecting the idea of their marginalisation or invisibility within society.
Through "I Refuse to be Invisible", Njideka Akunyili Crosby confronts themes of identity, visibility, and empowerment. Through a layered composition, Crosby merges elements of Nigerian heritage with contemporary Western influences, reflecting her own experiences as a Nigerian-American artist. The piece challenges the notion of cultural assimilation and celebrates the complexity of hybrid identities.
She invites viewers to contemplate the richness of multiculturalism and the assertion of one's presence in a world that often marginalises certain identities. "I Refuse to be Invisible" serves as a powerful statement of self-affirmation and resilience, urging individuals to embrace their unique identities unapologetically.
Mary Sibande
South African artist Mary Sibande uses her art to critique historical narratives and challenge patriarchal structures. In "Long Live the Dead Queen," Sibande reimagines herself as a regal figure, confronting issues of race, gender, and power dynamics in post-colonial Africa while asserting the importance of female leadership and representation.
"Long Live the Dead Queen Series'' by Mary Sibande, created in 2008, is a thought-provoking exploration of identity, gender, and power dynamics within the context of post-apartheid South Africa. Through striking visual narratives, Sibande uses the figure of a domestic worker, Sophie, to challenge traditional representations of Black women in society.
Sophie is depicted transforming from her role as a maid into a powerful, regal figure, adorned in vibrant Victorian-era dresses. These surreal scenes confront historical and contemporary struggles faced by Black women, addressing themes of agency, heritage, and the legacy of colonialism. Sibande's series serves as a powerful commentary on the resilience and strength of marginalised individuals, celebrating their ability to reclaim their narratives and assert their rightful place in society.
Billie Zangewa
Malawian artist Billie Zangewa employs textile collages to explore themes of femininity, motherhood, and self-empowerment. In "The Rebirth of the Black Venus," Zangewa depicts moments of introspection and resilience, highlighting the everyday struggles and triumphs of women in a male-dominated world.
"The Rebirth of the Black Venus" is a striking textile artwork that explores themes of femininity, identity, and empowerment within the African diaspora. Zangewa intricately weaves together fragments of silk, creating a vibrant tapestry that depicts a contemporary Black woman in a state of graceful rebirth. Through meticulous stitching and delicate imagery, Zangewa captures the essence of strength and resilience, celebrating the beauty and complexity of Black womanhood.
The artwork serves as a powerful statement on reclaiming agency and challenging historical narratives, inviting viewers to reflect on notions of beauty, representation, and cultural heritage.
Toyin Ojih Odutola
Nigerian-American artist Toyin Ojih Odutola challenges conventional notions of race, gender, and beauty in her intricate pen and ink drawings. "To Wander Determined" features powerful portraits of black women, reclaiming their narratives and asserting their presence in a society that often seeks to marginalise or erase them.
Through the series of intricate and evocative drawings, Ojih Odutola invites viewers into a world where identity, culture, and perception intersect. Set against lush, detailed landscapes, each piece tells a story of resilience and determination, inviting reflection on themes of belonging and displacement.
With masterful strokes, Odutola captures the essence of human experience, challenging viewers to contemplate the fluidity of identity and the enduring spirit of those who wander with purpose.
Zanele Muholi
Zanele Muholi's "Somnyama Ngonyama Series" is a powerful photographic project that delves into themes of identity, race, and representation. In this series, Muholi, a South African visual activist, turns the camera on herself, using self-portraiture to explore the complexities of blackness and challenge historical and contemporary stereotypes.
