With headline artists Maleh, Ami Faku and Vusi Mahlasela Bassline Fest ‘Say Africa’ in association with Castle Lite and Joburg Tourism and supported by the National Arts Council present a celebration of Legacy, Discovery and Artistic Momentum, 23 May at Constitution Hill, The People’s Park. 

Now in its 20th edition, Bassline Fest continues its long-standing tradition of celebrating Africa Day through a curated programme of established icons and next-generation talent on the 23rd of May at Constitution Hill's People's Park. The family-friendly festival celebrates Africa Day with Ami Faku, Vusi Mahlasela, Maleh, Yugen Blakrok and Brandon Aura.
Doors open at 12 in the afternoon, the event ends at 8 pm, and tickets are R300 on Webtickets. 
https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/event.aspx?itemid=1587328167 

The inclusion of the Rhythmic Clash talent search winners completes the Bassline Fest 2026 bill as the festival celebrates 20 years of SAY AFRICA and its excellence:

• Zinhle Madela

• Flex of He and I

• Shef in the Kitchen

"Bassline’s ongoing commitment to artist development and talent discovery, creating a platform where emerging voices can share the stage with some of the continent’s most celebrated performers." Says Brad Holmes of Bassline Fest.

Together, they form the complete line-up for what promises to be one day of African excellence. "This is a festival of artists in motion," Says Holmes. "Bassline Fest 2026 arrives at a moment of major artistic momentum for its headline acts." 

Brandon Aura

Supported by Empire Records, Brandon Aura will release his new single “Run” on 15 May. The lengthy process of selecting the release single from an abundance of standout material speaks to the extraordinary strength of Brandon’s songwriting and the depth of his catalogue.

Yugen Blakrok

Yugen Blakrok is one of South Africa’s most internationally respected alternative hip-hop artists, renowned for her fiercely intelligent lyricism, genre-defying sound, and commanding live presence. Rising from the Eastern Cape’s underground scene, she has built a global reputation through acclaimed releases, extensive international touring, and high-profile collaborations—including her appearance alongside Kendrick Lamar and Vince Staples on “Opps” from the global blockbuster Black Panther soundtrack. With performances across Europe, appearances on COLORS, and music featured in Cyberpunk 2077, Yugen brings world-class underground credibility and uncompromising artistic vision to Bassline Fest. 

Xolani Sithole

Xolani Sithole is one of South Africa’s compelling emerging voices in contemporary Afro-spiritual jazz, blending indigenous storytelling, gospel-rooted expression, and modern jazz harmony into a powerful signature sound. Formerly a lead vocalist and composer with Joyous Celebration, Sithole now steps into his own with Azania, a bold new project produced by internationally acclaimed Blue Note artist Nduduzo Makhathini. Currently completing his BA Honours in Music at the University of the Witwatersrand, Sithole is fast establishing himself as an artist of depth, heritage, and international promise.

Live Music Lab 

The current cohort of Live Music Lab learners are completing their work-integrated learning programme through active roles at Bassline Fest 2026, where attendees will see them on site in their Live Music Lab t-shirts. Designed to make participants industry-ready within three months, the programme provides hands-on experience across artist management, concert promotion, and event marketing. Four learners have already secured external internships, with the remainder gaining practical placement through Bassline’s in-house operations. This programme is supported by NEFCISA 

Rhythmic Clash winners:

Flex of He & I is a musician and poet from Thabong, South Africa. His work sits at the intersection of indigenous African sound, spoken word, and contemporary production, shaped by travel and lived experience.

Rather than pursuing spectacle, his practice moves slowly, foregrounding memory and listening. Instruments such as the mbira are treated not as symbols, but as companions in a wider process of storytelling and cultural continuity. Through performances, recordings, and long-form projects across Southern Africa, He & I creates spaces for reflection, conversation, and community.

Shef and the Kitchen is the electrifying South African band founded in 2011 by charismatic frontman and vocalist Siphiwe “Shef” Hlophe. Inspired by the idea of “cooking” music – blending rhythms, influences, and creativity into a sonic masterpiece – the group has built a reputation for performances often described as electrifying, mind-blowing, and out of this world. Emerging from humble jam sessions in Orange Farm, where household pots and pans doubled as percussion instruments during informal rehearsals at Shef’s grandmother’s home, the band has transformed kitchen-table creativity into a globally resonant live act. Today, Shef and the Kitchen are recognised as one of South Africa’s most dynamic performance outfits, with a growing international profile and a reputation for delivering unforgettable live shows.

Zinhle Madela 
Born and raised in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, Zinhle Madela is an independent Afro pop singer, song writer, philanthropist, community development practitioner and owner of Heart Prints. She is a charming performer that mesmerizes listeners with her soft angelic voice and charismatic stage presence. She believes in staying true to her roots and is proud of her heritage. This has inspired her to be an advocate for Arts and African culture for which she is known as "e-Kasi Queen", because of the authentically African style, presented in both her image and her distinctive style of music, which she describes as ‘Maskandi-Soul’.

Supported By:

Castle Lite Gig Rig 

Castle Lite’s Gig Rig is a game-changing platform for South African live music, bringing world-class mobile stage and production infrastructure to events across the country and making high-quality live experiences more accessible to audiences and promoters alike. Its support of festivals and cultural gatherings has become instrumental in elevating production standards within the local music industry, enabling artists to perform on professional-grade stages while helping create memorable, large-scale event experiences for audiences nationwide.

Joburg Tourism

Joburg Tourism Company is an invaluable partner in helping position Johannesburg as a world-class cultural destination. Their continued support of live events and creative initiatives plays a vital role in driving tourism, stimulating the local economy, and showcasing the city’s rich cultural identity to both local and international audiences. Through their commitment to destination marketing and city activation, Joburg Tourism has become a key force in elevating Johannesburg’s profile as one of Africa’s most dynamic and vibrant urban centres.

NAC

National Arts Council of South Africa plays a critical role in sustaining and advancing South Africa’s creative sector by investing in the artists, organisations, and cultural initiatives that shape the country’s artistic future. Their support enables meaningful artistic development, job creation, and public access to the arts, while ensuring that South African culture continues to thrive, evolve, and reach broader audiences both locally and internationally. As a champion of cultural excellence and creative growth, the National Arts Council remains an essential pillar of the nation’s arts ecosystem.

Jozi My Jozi

Jozi My Jozi joins Bassline Fest 2026 as a strategic city storytelling and cultural amplification partner, bringing its deep commitment to celebrating Jozi’s identity, creativity, and urban culture. As a movement dedicated to championing the people, places, and culture that define the city, Jozi My Jozi plays an important role in fostering civic pride, cultural engagement, and positive urban storytelling. Their partnership with Bassline Fest strengthens the festival’s mission to position Jozi as a vibrant, inclusive, and world-class cultural destination. 

Concerts SA

Concerts SA joins Bassline Fest 2026 as a strategic industry partner, continuing its vital work in supporting the development and sustainability of South Africa’s live music sector. Through funding, mobility support, and professional development initiatives, Concerts SA has become a cornerstone institution in nurturing artists, building audiences, and strengthening the live performance ecosystem nationwide. Their partnership with Bassline Fest reflects a shared commitment to cultural access, industry growth, and the long-term advancement of South Africa’s music community.

ARMC

ARMC joins Bassline Fest 2026 as a strategic partner committed to supporting initiatives that create meaningful social and cultural impact through the arts. Through its ongoing investment in community upliftment, empowerment, and development-focused programmes, ARMC continues to demonstrate the important role that socially conscious organisations can play in strengthening communities and enabling inclusive growth. Their partnership with Bassline Fest reflects a shared belief in the power of culture to inspire, unite, and uplift society.

Gallo Records

As part of the Gallo Record Company centenary year, Gallo Records joins Bassline Fest 2026 as a strategic music industry partner, representing one of South Africa’s most historic and influential cultural institutions. This partnership underscores a shared commitment to protecting musical legacy and ensuring South African music continues to thrive for future generations. Antos Stella, CEO of The Music Arena, the holding company of Gallo Music, noted that this century-long milestone is an unparalleled achievement and an opportunity to tell an authentic South African story of innovation and impact. As Gallo enters a landmark year of reflection and projection, this celebration coincides with Bassline Fest’s own 20th anniversary, marking a powerful union of two heritage brands.

Empire

Empire joins Bassline Fest 2026 as a strategic partner supporting the next generation of globally competitive African talent. As one of the world’s leading independent music companies, Empire has built a reputation for empowering artists through innovative distribution, artist development, and international market access. Their partnership with Bassline Fest reflects a shared commitment to expanding opportunities for African artists and strengthening pathways for creative entrepreneurship within the global music economy.

Label Headed

Labelheaded joins Bassline Fest 2026 as a strategic industry partner dedicated to independent artist development and genuine collaboration between artists and the industry. Through its work with artists, labels, and managers, Labelheaded works to strengthen independence as an active label service, publishing and marketing partner, building sustainable creative careers. Their partnership with Bassline Fest reflects a shared commitment to nurturing artistic excellence and strengthening the independent music ecosystem.

IBE Music

IBE Music joins Bassline Fest 2026 as a strategic partner committed to the development and promotion of African musical talent through innovative artist support and industry engagement. As an organisation focused on empowering creatives and building sustainable music careers, IBE Music contributes meaningfully to the growth of the independent music sector and the broader creative economy. Their partnership with Bassline Fest reflects a mutual dedication to artist empowerment, cultural advancement, and industry transformation.

Constitution Hill

Constitution Hill joins Bassline Fest 2026 as host venue and strategic cultural partner, bringing the weight of one of South Africa’s most important heritage institutions to the festival. As a globally recognised site of memory, democracy, and human rights, Constitution Hill serves as a powerful symbol of justice, inclusion, and social progress. Its partnership with Bassline Fest reinforces the festival’s commitment to presenting world-class cultural experiences within spaces that embody South Africa’s democratic values and shared national heritage.

Music In Africa 

Music In Africa is Africa’s leading platform for music industry development and journalism, dedicated to strengthening the continent’s music ecosystem through artist support, industry advocacy, and professional development. Through its work across the sector, Music In Africa continues to play a vital role in advancing sustainable growth and opportunity within the African music industry.

Malwandle’s House

Malwandle’s House is a Braamfontein-based creative hub, fashion retailer, and cultural event space dedicated to showcasing South African design, supporting talent, and creating platforms for artistic collaboration. Positioned as a sanctuary for creativity and community, the space brings together fashion, music, entrepreneurship, and culture through curated retail, live events, and mentorship-driven programming.

Follow the Bassline family and Constitution Hill on social media for information and updates - Get your tickets fast and celebrate Africa Month with us.