Bassline Fest is Celebrating Africa Day 2024 With a Massive Music Lineup

The annual Bassline Fest has become an institution in Joburg for their celebration of Africa Day at Constitution Hill. Each year a lineup of top-notch talent from across the continent grace the stage for special live performances. And kids are welcome to join too!

“Bassline Fest is welcoming everyone in the city to come celebrate with song, dance, food and fun,” says Paige Holmes from Bassline Fest. “There will be an African artisanal market selling all manner of exquisitely created African food, arts and craft, as well as bars and other food and drink stalls to choose from.”

Headline acts for Bassline Fest 2024

Lira

The queen of Afro sould, Lira, returns to the stage with a full band and a [powerful lineup of female talent. This will be one of her first big shows with a full band after two years recovering from a stroke to strength. “What makes this performance extra special is that not only are we, in South Africa, celebrating 30 years of democracy, but we are also celebrating the new Lira as well as the Bassline’s 30th Anniversary,’ says Lira.

“This powerhouse of female talent, from across our beautiful continent, ensures that this year’s Africa Day Celebration stays true to its dedication to WOMEN, celebrating the mothers, sisters & daughters who have the resilience, nurturing, courage, creativity and tenacity that keeps them going, their families going and in so doing, the continent going. ” Says Creative Director, Paige Holmes.

Maleh

Maleh, the songstress from Lesotho is set to share the stage with over 20 years in the live music industry with her recent album, titled Lerato Laka. This body of work was produced by Nigerian-born artist Victor Ikeigbo aka ‘Goldsmithonthebeat’ and has expanded Maleh’s market reach by brilliantly fusing the customary African drum patterns and raw basslines of West Africa, with the smooth classic soulful sounds and melodies that are distinct to Southern African music.

MC Kadilida

From East Africa comes Tanzanian “badass” MC Kadilida and her producer Jay Mitta. This Dar Es Salaam singer is a pioneering force in the African electronic music scene. Along with visionary producer Jay Mitta, the duo have embarked on a meteoric journey, igniting dance floors around the globe. Together, they have become synonymous with the electrifying spirit of Singeli genre. Singeli embodies the raw essence of African rave culture, pulsating with an energy that is both intoxicating and irresistible. In the words of one astute journalist, “if you don’t dance to this, you’re probably dead.”

Rita Kamale

Along with being a vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and producer, Morocco’s Rita Kamale sits in a class of her own. “My sound is best categorised as alternative soul/soft rap,” said the singer in an interview with Times Live. “I love to experiment. Each song is in its own realm, going from neo-soul and Moroccan ancestral melodies to 808 heavy hip-hop beats. It’s a massive pleasure to be invited to play at Bassline Fest, It will be my first time performing in South Africa, a country I have dreamt of visiting for a very long time. I’m excited to share my culture and sound with Joburg.”

DJ sets and groovy tunes at the Dance Afrika capsule stage

The Dance Afrika capsule boasts a dedicated stage focused on some of the vibiest and progressive DJ sets in the African music scene right now. This year headliners include DJ Sebb from Reunion island, Kamanga, and locals Tamara Dey, SiNoir, Godrey Mtambo, and Shamiso who will keep the crowds dancing all day and night.