Nakhane Toure makes prestigious New York Times 10 Artists to Watch in 2019 list

11 January 2019 - 11:28
By Kyle Zeeman
Port Elizabeth-raised musician and actor Nakhane Toure
Image: Supplied Port Elizabeth-raised musician and actor Nakhane Toure

The accolades and adoration just keep flooding in for SA artist Nakhane Toure‚ with the star recently named among the 10 hottest artists to watch in 2019 by The New York Times.

The prestigious list is seen by many as a barometer of not only the hottest upcoming artists‚ but also those on the cusp of making it into the stratosphere in the mainstream music industry.

We all know that the American music market is traditionally one of the hardest to break into‚ but Nakhane seems to have sliced it open.

“The songs on his album You Will Not Die delve into both trauma and redemption. They ponder faith‚ pleasure‚ exile and belonging; they traverse hymns‚ neo-soul‚ South African pop and electronic dance music‚ and Nakhane’s voice crests in a vibrant‚ androgynous falsetto. Tenacity carries him toward joy‚” the paper wrote of him.

Nakhane was over the moon at the recognition and‚ taking to Instagram‚ said he was “gagging” (we think with excitement?) at the news.

He was congratulated by a host of local stars including Bob Mabena‚ Atandwa Kani‚ Linda Mtoba‚ Lootlove and Moonchild.

The news comes just months after the star‚ who is now based in the UK‚ caught the attention of music veterans Elton John and Madonna for his signature style.

Stay winning‚ Nakhane!

He was congratulated by a host of local stars including Bob Mabena‚ Atandwa Kani‚ Linda Mtoba‚ Lootlove and Moonchild.

The news comes just months after the star caught the attention of music veterans Elton John and Madonna for his signature style.

Stay winning‚ Nakhane!