South Africa’s Best R&B Artist is Loyiso Bala

By admin , 07 Jul 2009 | (2) Comments

Loyiso BalaLoyiso comes from a musical family. His brother, Zwai Bala, was already a big star with one of the most successful South African groups, Tkzee. It was Tkzee, and Zwai Bala’s role in it, that introduced Loyiso to the music industry. Tkzee was renamed “Tkzee family”.

“The whole point about the Tkzee family was that it gave us a kick start with our careers.” Loyiso revealed, and indeed it was a big break for him.
He pursued a solo career as an R&B artist with his first two albums “Wine women and song” and “Amplified”, establishing him as the best R&B star in South Africa and changing the popularity of R&B in South Africa overnight.

Loyiso, the multi award winner, has been performing across the world. His music has been appreciated by both South Africans and listeners across the world, and he is one of the few artists to have been chosen to represent South Africa for the Nelson Mandela 46664 Campaign. Last year he collaborated with famous diva “Jamelia” at Hyde Park, London.

“We’ve been singing the national anthem …but the cherry on the top … will be singing at the at the World Cup”

“It was such an honour and such a humbling experience, and definitely the best memory I still have after 10 years I have been in the industry.”

From the Tkzee family to the Bala brothers, Loyiso, Zwai and younger brother, Phelo, have a lot to offer their audience. They are world renowned for infusing operatic sounds with those of popular African music, giving birth to “Popera”, a new generation of African inspired classical music. How did it all start?

“We sent Phelo to music school and, funnily enough, when Phelo was 16 years old he said “I’ve recorded a song in a studio and I would love to play it to you guys.” We were blown away by his voice. It was the first time we had heard our little brother sing, and we thought this is the right time for us to knock things together as brothers.”

Following the success of their first album “B3”, their latest album “Strome Van Seen” is a personification of the constant progression and diversity of the B3 band. Produced by Zwai Bala and Cobus Snyman, the album will entrench the Bala Brothers into the minds of a great South African audience. I asked Loyiso if they are going to remix my favourite song, Strome Van Seen and he replied “Imagine people jumping to Strome van Seen in London! Wouldn’t that be great?”

Together, the Bala Brothers have already travelled abroad to sing the national anthem. With the World Cup just around the corner, is Loyiso looking forward to contributing?

“Definitely! We’ve been singing the national anthem at rugby matches but the cherry on the top for the Bala Brothers will be singing at the World Cup!”says the man who received over 95% in music examination.

Loyiso’s latest album “Blow your mind”, with everybody’s favourite song “Dali Wami” is out now!

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