South African vocal group The Joy have shared ‘Bayang’khethela’ the latest track from their forthcoming self-titled debut album which is out on Transgressive Records on Friday 21st June 2024.
This releases comes fresh off the back of their recent appearance at this year’s Coachella Festival where they joined Doja Cat on the main stage to open her headline performances on both weekends.
Following the Coachella performance, last Friday Doja Cat released all three tracks featuring The Joy on DSPs as part of an expansive digital album, Scarlet 2 CLAUDE. The band provided lead vocals alongside the US rapper on recent single ‘Acknowledge Me, ‘Disrespectful’ and ‘Shutcho’, all of which were re-imagined to incorporate lyrics in Zulu.
Footage of the performance can be viewed HERE and read more about it at The Guardian (5*) and Billboard.
‘Bayang’khethela’ is accompanied by a performance video which was filmed by Up The Game (the creative team behind Liam Gallagher: Knebworth 22 and Tonight with: Arlo Parks) at the live recording of the album which took place at the renowned Church Studios in Crouch End, London.
The Joy explain ‘Bayang’khethela’
“The song came from an upbringing and tradition in which parents choose who you should marry. ‘Bayang’khethela’ comes from the contrary belief that nobody can choose who you should marry or be in love with.”
You can listen to The Joy‘s ‘Bayang’khethela’ HERE
Recorded live during one live take, the album showcases the astounding natural vocal ability of the 5 group members – Pastor (Ntokozo Bright Magcaba), Duzie (Melokuhle Mkhungo), Guduza (Sphelele Hlophe), Sthombe (Phelelani Sithole) and Marcus (Sanele Ngcobo) – who have been together since meeting at school, and it was their astonishing talent which led Doja Cat to hand select them as her guest at Coachella.
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