Suthukazi Arosi, born in Cala, Transkei, Eastern Cape and was, from an early age, immersed in music. She studied ballet and modern jazz in Cape Town before moving to Johannesburg to pursue a music career. Although Suthukazi stands before us today as one of Africa's leading voices she is also an accomplished actress having performed in many South African productions; skills that were honed by mentor with Gibson Kente.
The Journey:
Her brand new album “the Journey”, is a slight diversion for this amazing talent. Produced by D-Rex (David Campos), of Mapaputsi fame, as well as featuring the touches of maestro guitarist Bheki Khoza – with two additional songs produced by Joe Nina as well - we see an album that fuses modern urban African rhythms with the raw magic and rural flavour that Suthukazi is so famous for, and delivers so magically both live and in studio. A perfect blend that creates music that is danceable and holds appeal for all, whilst still maintaining its identity and integrity as truly African music with strong and conscious messages delivered with amazing power!
Suthu's first recording was with Cheek to Cheek, on her first album, 'Oshakati'. The recording was followed by an extensive local and international touring schedule that included countries such as: Zambia, Zimbabwe, USA, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Portugal, Switzerland, Singapore, Japan, United Arab Emirates to name a few. She has featured in many successful projects by the likes of: Chicco Twala, Caiphus Semenya, Letta Mbulu, Hugh Masekela, Jonas Gwangwa and Miriam Makeba. Among these projects, she featured prominently in Laduma that toured Japan for the World Indigenous Music Festivals, the FNB Vita Award winning stage production called "The Game", as well as the highly acclaimed, and SAMA nominated African big band Mahube.
Awards Received:
Kora: as the Best Southern African Artist in 1997. She was the 1st female to have received this Award in South Africa.
FNB Vita Award: Best Leading Actress, "The Game", 1997.
Suthu draws her inspiration from many different facets of her life. "This is music of the people, indeed the people are most influential to my writing. Because of their everyday life experiences, I am able to put a song together. I have listened to so many kinds of music from childhood, some influences come from listening to such music and many musicians I have worked with" Suthu says.
Her latest project, "Ubuntu" is due for release on Sheer Sound Records. The album speaks of many things from the struggles waged by South Africans, to the healing of the many wounds inflicted by our troubled past. Suthu says this of her new album, "Éits about people's experiences in life, what they have gone through and what they have become. This is the music for the people. Each song on the album tells a story that people can relate to. It is healing, educative, as well as entertaining. We have lost that special gift that God blessed us with, that is ubuntu, humanity, and yet ubuntu is the key for our lives."
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