In 2003 Freshlyground – Conference Entertainers 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 formed in early 2002, and is made up of seven talented and diverse musicians from South Africa, Mozambique […]
In 2003 Freshlyground – Conference Entertainers 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 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.
Freshlyground – Conference Entertainers 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.
The album sold 300 000 units in South Africa alone- earning it multi-platinum status. The success and broad appeal of the band was celebrated in November 2006 when Freshly Ground-Conference Band Entertainers won the MTV Europe Award in the category Best African Act.
The award placed the band firmly on the international music map and earned them further recognition on home soil as significant South African cultural exports.
The success of Nomvula was followed by Ma Cheri – Freshlyground’s third studio album, released in September 2007.
The album’s release was followed by a major South African tour attended by over 25 000 people across four cities. The tour was produced by Freshlyground and supported by Volkswagen South Africa .
The tour successfully raised the performance and production standards of local touring, putting the band on par with international acts in terms of production scale and value.
Ma Cheri has sold 80 000 units to date in South Africa and the single Pot Belly is another major crossover success, and is play listed on all South African radio stations.
Five years on Freshlyground – Conference Entertainers are a still a sensation. In South Africa audiences of every race cram in to see them. Old people get up and dance.
Contact Us at WeSpeak Global and follow us on Facebook
Pat McGann is quickly rising as one of the sharpest stand-ups in the comedy world. A relative latecomer to the scene, Pat began stand up at the age of 31 after realizing he was not very good at selling packaging. He hustled his way to become the house emcee at Zanies Chicago, where he distinguished […]
The Evasons are a top entertainment duo that have been honored with some of the top awards in their field. They are the first recipients of “The Mentalism Award” from the Milbourne Christopher Foundation. They were awarded the highest honor for distinguished professionalism by the Psychic Entertainers Association. The Evasons have traveled worldwide to appear […]
It was 10 years ago that singing group Jamali won South African viewers’ hearts on the Popstars reality TV show in 2003/2004. With platinum album sales, sold out concerts and top music awards under their belts, the girls have never looked back. ‘Jamali’ was created out of the first two letters if their first names, […]
Jeremy Olivier – Conference Entertainer music career started in his small home town, Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe, where his passion for guitar catapulted him into a gigging rock band, touring the country from the age of 14. After completing his A-Levels in Hararae, Jeremy decided to further pursue music and he moved to Cape Town, where he […]
The Pacific Trio brings years of professional experience to your event. Our small jazz group is the perfect choice to add elegance and excitement to your reception or special event. Our group can range from a piano/bass duo to a quintet playing big band swing from the era. The Pacific Jazz Trio We’ll help you […]
San Diego based French-American Gypsy Fiesta musician Josquin des Pres grew up in the south of France, the epicenter of French Gypsy Rumba that took the world by storm when the Gipsy Kings invaded the airwaves in the late 1980s. This now popular sound which had taken birth in small communities in the south of […]
Captivate! is one of the hottest musical ensembles to emerge from the San Francisco Bay Area in many years. Captivate! is a musically diverse group of seasoned professionals who have performed with such artists as B. B. King, Lenny Kravitz & Etta James on stages around the world. They are available for weddings, corporate & […]
This is how DJ Abby Nurock describes her emotive relationship with music as a Purist : One who desires that an item remains true to its essence and free from adultering or diluting influences. Her therapy devoted strictly to vinyl. Infectious dance grooves and the majestic beats of the deeper sounds of house infiltrate the […]
These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by WeSpeak Global.
Our Mission
© All rights reserved 2025. Created using VOXEL THEME
