Asanda Mqiki

“Asanda Mqiki is a vocal force, a true Afro-soul revelation with an insane degree of control over her notes. Emotive and sassy, exuding a jazzy persona unlike anything I’ve seen she was my best vocal performance of the weekend.” - Texx and the City  

Asanda Mqiki's music vibrates with visceral emotion, bringing together a range of influences from afro-funk, jazz, soul & traditional genres such as mbaqanga to create a signature sound that is topped only by her phenomenally powerful vocals.  Her music brings people together and to their feet, whether it's beautiful ballads such as Squeeze me, or funky Afro-jazz tunes such Caramello and Mbulelo.

Asanda is known for her original music but also has an extensive range of cover songs that she enjoys performing for corporate and private functions.  Her voice is powerful and emotive and she switches between artists such as Tina Turner, Miriam Makeba, Nina Simone and Ella Fitzgerald with ease.  Corporate work has included functions for Castle Milk Stout, African Bush Camps, the Boardwalk Casino and various private weddings and events.

Some career highlight shows include headlining the Cape Town Festival with Vicky Sampson and Jimmy Nevis, and performing at the Oppikoppi & National Arts festivals.  Internationally, she has twice performed by invitation at the Gothenberg Culture Festival in Sweden (2014 & 2015), and in 2018 at the Centro Cultural Franco-Moçambicano in Maputo, Mozambique. She was also the featured African artist for the inaugural online Lovebusk festival, organised out of Australia in 2016.

She has performed across South Africa at premier venues such as The Orbit (JHB), The Chairman (Durban), the PE Opera House, Harringtons (CPT) and Jazz in the Native Yards (CPT).  Her band is a 4 - 8 piece ensemble (usually 7 piece) including drums, percussion, bass, keys, synths and saxophone.

Prior to launching her solo career, Asanda performed regularly with platinum-selling a capella group The Soil, and is particularly known for her contribution to their song Lizzy.  She was also lead vocalist for the band Take Note, with whom she released 2 albums and performed at SA festival Joy of Jazz. She has shared the stage and collaborated with artists such as the legendary Sibongile Khumalo, Freshlyground, Khaya Mahlangu, Bongeziwe Mabandla, Putuma Tiso & Berita.

Asanda Mqiki will be releasing her first solo album in 2018.