The Joy, fresh off 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, have released their self-titled debut album on Transgressive Records.
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.
And following the Coachella performance, Doja Cat also 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 incorporating lyrics in Zulu.
Footage of the performance can be viewed HERE and read more about it at The Guardian (5*) and Billboard.
Additionally, the band appear at the Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith, London on September 19th with Johnny Flynn & The River Band as part of the Transgressive 20th anniversary run of shows.
You can stream their debut album HERE.
More info about The Joy
The Joy, a group of five teenage boys from the South African township of Hammarsdale, first came together during an early school choir practice.
Their harmonies are deeply rooted in the Zulu tradition of a cappella singing, akin to the style of the renowned Ladysmith Black Mambazo and the powerful mbube genre. Lead vocalist Duzie channels ancestral spirits through his singing, creating a profound connection to their cultural heritage.
The group’s talent earned them first prize in a local singing contest, which brought them financial support and recognition. Celebrities like Alicia Keys and Jennifer Hudson became fans, with Hudson inviting them on her US talk show.
Their sessions, produced by Two Inch Punch, gained millions of streams for their unique sound. The Joy‘s music is a collective expression, guiding them instinctively.
Their UK debut on BBC’s Glastonbury coverage and Jools Holland’s show showcased their ability to evoke deep emotional responses, similar to iconic performances by Sam Cooke, Jeff Buckley, and Buju Banton.
The Joy‘s music creates moments of profound connection between artist and listener, encapsulating the transformative power of music.
Watch this space for updates in the Music News category on Running Wolf’s Rant.
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