Freshlyground formed in early 2002, and is made up of seven talented and diverse musicians from South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
Fronted by the diminutive but dynamic Zolani Mahola, the band exudes a live performance energy that has been the bedrock of their success. The experienced rhythm section of Peter Cohen (drums) & Josh Hawks (bass) is complimented by guitarist Julio Sigauque, keyboardist Seredeal Scheepers, Simon Attwell (flute, mbira, sax and harmonica) and violinist Kyla Rose Smith. Although hailing from diverse backgrounds, between them the band’s members weave a musical magic that is highly infectious and undeniably groovy.
In 2003 Freshlyground launched their debut album, Jika Jika under their own Freeground Records label, the immediate success of which firmly cemented the band as one of South Africa’s most successful young acts.
Freshlyground released their second studio album Nomvula in July 2004. Nomvula was recorded and produced by JB Arthur and Sibusiso Victor Masondo.
The album sparked interest from Sony BMG Africa, who signed the band and released Nomvula in September that year. Radio quickly picked up on the single ‘Doo Be Doo’ and the catchy song went on to become a crossover favorite amongst a diverse spread of stations and their listeners. ‘Doo Be Doo’ was the most played song in South Africa in 2005. The major success of ‘Doo Be Doo’ was followed by the singles ‘I’d Like’, ‘Zithande’, ‘Things Have Changed’ and the title track of the album Nomvula.
Freshlyground gained further international recognition when they performed the catchy “Waka Waka” together with international superstar Shakira at the 2010 Football World Cup in South Africa.
Howzit-HongKong.com will feature a YouTube clip of one South African music legend every Friday as part of what we like to call The Victoria Harbour Sundowner Sessions. I am fortunate to be living right next to one of the most stunning working harbours in the world… Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour. I often find myself staring across the Harbour at night, with the lights dimmed and one of my favourite musicians from home over the speakers. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do…
This is probably a scoop of sorts for Howzit-HongKong.com considering it’s just after 1am on Wednesday April 28 and we just picked this news from the Cape Town band Freshlyground’s FaceBook site.
The song Waka Waka by Shakira featuring Freshlyground has been announced as the official song of the Fifa 2010 World Cup.
The song will be performed by Shakira and South African group Freshlyground, at the Closing Ceremony before the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final on July 11 in Johannesburg Soccer City Stadium.
The chorus of this song borrows from a favorite Cameroonian marching chant made popular by the group Golden Voices.
“We are thrilled to have collaborated with Shakira on Waka Waka (This Time For Africa), especially as we feel that the song captures the spirit and energy of the African World Cup,” said Zolani Maholaof Freshlyground.
“We are certain the song will inspire people around the world to celebrate the gathering of nations at the place where it all started. Here in Africa!”
Waka Waka will be made available for download through digital retailers the week of May 11.
It also will be included on “Listen Up!the Official 2010 FIFA World Cup Album” to be released the week of May 31 by Sony Music Entertainment. A Spanish language version of the track, Waka Waka (Esto es Africa), will be made available in certain markets.
Proceeds from the album will benefit FIFA’s “20 Centers for 2010” initiative, whose aim is to achieve positive social change through football by building twenty Football for Hope centres for public health, education and football across Africa, and other African charities.
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This video of the song has been on YouTube for the last week:
Cape Town-based outfit (and one of Howzit-HongKong’s favourites) Freshlyground announced on Friday that their song “Time for Africa” has been chosen as the official anthem of the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup.
The band will perform their song at at least three opportunities before and during the world biggest sports event in June and July this year. To top off Freshlyground’s success, they will be joined by popular Colombian pop star Shakira.
Shakira and Freshlyground will perform the song at the World Cup kick-off concert in Soweto on June 10, and at the tournament’s opening ceremony as well as shortly before the July 11 final.
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The band also announced that “Time for Africa,” should be ready for release on radio stations across the world next week while a download facility should be available around April 26.
For readers not familiar with Freshlyground, here’s one of our favourites:
Freshlyground is: Zolani Mahola, Peter Cohen, Kyla-Rose Smith, Simon Attwell, Julio Sigauque, Josh Hawks and Shaggy Scheepers. Find them online on Freshlyground.com
