Entertainment
Simphiwe Dana joins Apple Music’s Home Session in Spatial Audio
| Apple Music Home Session program features reimagined signature songs and thoughtful covers from artists across genres and today, South African Afro-soul doyenne, Simphiwe Dana has been announced as the latest artist to join the fray. As part of Apple Music’s Heritage Month campaign called Amaqhawe (meaning hero), the Apple Music Home Session will be celebrating the musical legacies of the South African musicians who used their voices for change, with Simphiwe Dana the next to release their EP. “The pandemic taught me that I have everything I need inside of me. That prayer can ground you and help you breathe. It gave me the space to realise what my next moves should be. Who I had become. And who I should become. This period helped me rediscover myself. It helped me remember who I am, and was, before the world took away my innocence. The Simphiwe of Kulture Noir and the albums before that. It has helped me thus to challenge and dare myself. I have always looked at myself as my own competition,” the singer tells Apple Music. “‘Ndiredi’ was my breakout song, from my first album, Zandisile. It is a song that is still in high demand, in all my shows. This song was written at the height of my exasperation with not being afforded an opportunity to showcase my talent.” “‘Usikhonzile’ is from my last album Bamako. With the political upheavals the world is experiencing, this song appeals to the moral compass of our leaders, whilst also outlining what the traits of a good leader should be.” The Home Session EP, exclusively available to stream on Apple Music in Spatial Audio, will feature two exclusive unplugged tracks from the jazz icon namely her iconic single “Ndiredi” and a track off her latest album called “Usikhonzile”, as well as a cover of Miriam Makeba’s “Lakutshon’ ilanga”. “‘Lakutshon’ ilanga’ is a South African classic written in the 1950s by Mackay Davashe, first performed and internationally popularised by Miriam Makeba and the Manhattan Brothers in the ‘50s. The song was written soon after the installation of the apartheid system in 1948. The apartheid regime was so brutal especially to detractors and freedom fighters, including children. The song speaks of one who is searching for a loved one who disappeared during one of apartheid agents’ raids etc. It is a painful story of loss and helplessness.” Check out “Apple Music Home Session: Simphiwe Dana” HERE. About Apple Music Apple loves music. Apple revolutionized the music experience with iPod and iTunes. Today, the award-winning Apple Music celebrates musicians, songwriters, producers, and fans with a catalog of over 90 million songs, expertly curated playlists, and the best artist interviews, conversations, and global premieres with Apple Music Radio. With original content from the most respected and beloved people in music, autoplay, time-sync lyrics, Lossless Audio, and immersive sound powered by Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos, Apple Music offers the world’s best listening experience, helping listeners discover new music and enjoy their favorites while empowering the global artist community. Apple Music is available in over 165 countries and regions on iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV, HomePod mini, CarPlay, and online at music.apple.com, plus popular smart speakers, smart TVs, and Android and Windows devices. Apple Music is ad-free and never shares consumer data with third parties. More information is available at apple.com/apple-music. |
