YOLANDA Y'AWA
SINGER. SONGWRITER. CREATIVE
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MEDIA REVIEW
YOLANDA Y'AWA ' CROSSOVA
Yolanda Y'awa first solo cd album launch 'Crossova' was a huge success. Held at the piazza at the Cape Quarter Lifestyle Centre it was the perfect setting for a stunning concert. We were treated at Voila to Peroni drinks and snacks from Cafe Cru. Luckily for us the restaurants that surround the piazza had front row seats.
The concert started with township dancers doing a gig and three gorgeous muses dressed to the nines. This set the scene for an energetic and modern / eclectic performance . The outfits were amazing and gorgeous. So much thought was put into the design that it was a fashion show in itself. The colourful, exciting, vibrant fabrics brought out the personalities of the performers. There is obviously design talent. Yolanda then appeared on the stage in an outfit with a pussy cat bow in a mix of green and red, with striped legging and red shoes. She is enigmatic and talented with a larger than life personality.
The Gugulethu tenors accompanied her with sounds of joy and a song of happiness. They way these guys can sing is so beautiful. Their operatic voices filled the piazza that if your closed your eyes your could be in Rome.
So they say; when in Rome, or in this case Africa, do as the African's do. Yolanda got the crowds on their feet doing a type of 'diski' dance. I'm not sure what it is called but it makes everyone from mama to child to move one's body.
Yolanda 's songs are inspired by heart-felt lyrics. She has gone through her trials and tribulations but remains a pillar of strength, inspired to excel as a creative and is a light for her loves and joys. Her songs 'Be Free', 'Forgiveness', 'Rejoice' reveal a message of hope.
Her album has a distinct African feel, with memories of Brenda Fassie, a big personality and beautiful strong voice. She is not shy to say that she is a child of Africa and for that I applaud her. She is accompanied by a band that is equally talented and plays a range of sounds to bring out the best in this creative performer.
The evening couldn't get better, having won the raffle for a custom-made shirt from Vogel & Aitken - extraordinary shirts for extraordinary men. We were also given a goodie bag to take home with Wild Olive soap and a signed copy of her album which I played in the CD player of my car on the way home.
Leaving with song words from the song 'Brand New Day'
Every time I wake up to a bright new day
I put on my make up
Baby ain't I lovely...
I open up my window to a brand new day
With lots of possibilities
In each and every way...
REVIEW: YOLANDA YAWA DEBUT ALBUM LAUNCH
Her shaking rhythm had me tapping my feet to the beat. I love the way she moves. Such energy and poise with just a hint of madness.
Yolanda Yawa exudes glamour in the most glorious way. Her style lies somewhere between Gwen Stefani and John Galliano. Bright colours and an eclectic mix of fabrics were draped over her figure making her look like the mad hatter at a township tea party. Even her band members were decked out in Afro chic style. But style and bodily rhythm aren’t the only thing Yawa has to offer.
Her voice is uniquely African, a perfect symbol of her hometown of Gugulethu. The spirit of township living, of hardship, struggles and fierce pride, flows through her music. I was taken back to King William’s Town in the 1960s – a time when music was used as a form of resistance. Although some of her songs were devoid of such social commentary she still reminds us of what it means to be proudly South African.
Hers is the music of a post-apartheid South Africa. She stands for the generation who is allowed to be loud and outspoken. The lively textures and neurotic design of her clothing compliment her exuberant presence. An absolute feast for the eyes, Yolanda Yawa provides all that we crave in a performer. She is daring and dramatic and she lights up the stage with a contagious township tempo.
By Mustapha Hendricks
@woict_highlife
Yolanda Yawa’s debut album launch took place on March 31st at The Square, Cape Quarter.
- Coastal Radio SA Interview
- Afternoon Express Interview and Performance
- News 24 Interview
- Cape Argus - Heritage Day Edition
- City Vision
- Bruce Dennel Interview
- KASILICIOUS eTV
- Expresso TV Show, SABC3, Performance & Interview
- Heart FM 104.9 - Celebrity Soccer Day Interview
- Bush Radio - My Journey, My CrossOva Interview
- Expresso Show - My Journey, My CrossOva Interview
- Cape Chat - first Cover! Issue 7
- Expresso Show - Spring Day Interview
- Taxi Radio - My Journey, My CrossOva Interview
- Bush Radio
- Hambakahle Magazine
- Cape Talk Radio
- Sowetan
- Weekend Argus
- People's Post
- The Sun
- Cape Times
- Pink Tounge
- Top Billing TV magazine show
- Drum Mag – Celebrity Fashion Shoot
- Real Magazine
- Cosmopolitan
- Umhlobo Wenene radio interview about P’ayeye Celebration of life fashion show
- Cape Argus - Ubuntu Festival ’09 (Solo performance with band)
- Invitation to showcase at Grand West Casino’s Women’s day celebration
- Flatnote Magazine
- Power Within Documentary Interview SABC3
- Fairlady Magazine
- O mag – full feature
- Living & Loving Magazine
- Kulula in-flight Magazine
- Next 48 hours
- GetIt Mag
- Yolanda Yawa Guest Presenter show
- Interview with Sakhisizwe @ Bush Radio
- Cape Unplugged Feature Interview
TV APPEARANCES
- NEWS 24 Interview & performance
- The Expresso Show - Yolanda Y'awa launches her fashion
- Cape Town TV- The Yolanda Y’awa guest host presenter show
- Keep it Real TV programme SABC 2
- Top Billing
- Hectic 99
- Artcha
- Showbiz Report
- SABC New Year’s Party
- Red Carpet Show (DSTV)
- Showbiz Report (SABC 3)
- Weekend Live (SABC 2)
- Top Billing interview
- Noted! interview (SABC 3)
DOCUMENTARIES
- Cape Town TV - 2010
- Power Within documentary profile interview(SABC 3) – 22 August 2009
- Dance4Life’08 for Holland school learners HIV/Aids Awareness Programme
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!! :) You are absolutely inspiring, I cant wait to hear more of your music, keep us posted on your progress. Lots of Love |
Sarah-Leigh Paul @SarahLeighPaul
@yolanda_yawa- Yolanda Y'awa - powerful, strong, inspiring woman. Such an inspiration. @yesiamsomebody http://t.co/Dd6UqVRr
CLIENT FEEDBACK
The client absolutely
We were so lucky to have Yolanda during the opening event of the first world conference on personality in this fabulous place Spier, near Cape Town. Her ENERGY Prof.Boele de Raad says 
, connection to the audience, and amazing voice gave an anormous boost to the conference. After long trips from various places in the world, her songs and dynamic performance put the delegates right in the heart of South Africa. An unforgettable experience!!
On behalf of Common Purpose I would like to take the opportunity to thank you so much for sharing • All I can say is WOW • Amazing, awesome, wow and fantastic • I was really inspired • Global messages • Very powerful and inspiring • Inspirational, thank you so much • Brilliant, I envy the peace and confidence. I can listen for hours and have learnt a lot • Inspirational and engaging We value our engagements with leaders like you and we look forward to engaging with you in future. Sincerely, Melanie Burke Common Purpose Thank you!
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