Freshlyground

Freshlyground is a South African jazz group from Cape Town, active from 2002. The band includes Zolani Mahola, Kyla-Rose Smith, Seredeal “Shaggy” Scheepers, Simon Attwell, Peter Cohen, Josh Hawks and Julio Sigauque. Their line-up brings together members with backgrounds from South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, and that mix shapes a sound built on jazz, rock and Afro-pop influences.

Career

The group forms in 2002 and begins releasing music with Jika Jika in 2003. Their 2004 album Nomvula becomes a multi-platinum release and marks a major breakthrough for South African pop. Its first single, Doo Be Doo, is the most played song in South Africa in 2005, and the album produces four hit singles in total. Freshlyground then build a large following in South Africa and internationally, performing at stages and festivals across Asia, Europe, Africa and North America.

In 2007, Ma Cheri reinforces their position as one of the leading acts from Southern Africa. Their fourth studio album, Radio Africa, is released in South Africa in 2010, and the band tours widely across South Africa, Europe, the US and Asia during that year.

Awards and recognition

Freshlyground win four South African Music Awards, four Metro FM Awards and an MTV Europe Music Award for Best African Act, the first time a South African musician receives that award. Their music is described as crossing over to audiences of different ages, from children to grandparents.

Other work

The band supports the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation after playing a fundraising concert for the organisation in 2005. Their work and profile place them among the most prominent South African acts of the 21st century.