Phelimuncasi formed in 2012 in the Mlaszi township of Durban South Africa as a trio of Gqom vocalists comprised of twins Makan Nana and Khera and Malathon.

​

Their music is definitely enchanting and potent, richly imbued with an immense storytelling tradition that harks back to southern African toyi-toyi: a powerful dance of protest and struggle accompanied by rhythmic singing that was used during anti-apartheid demonstration to intimidate police and security forces. No surprise that Phelimuncasi have been calling to perform at many political functions for the African National Congress and South African left wing Pan Africanist party EFF (Economic Freedom Fighter).

​

Their genre-pushing album that was released in September 2020 on Nyege Nyege Tapes, (2013 - 2019) is a retrospective of Gqom music featuring nine dense, radical tracks realized over a period of six years.

 

What establishes this album as a major work of contemporary South African underground music is Phelimuncasi’s spontaneous, mantra-like chanting, vibrant Isizulu spoken word and infectious statements that intensify and infuse a sense of revelation and liberation throughout the whole album. Phelimuncasi for sure expands the cerebral boundaries of a genre they helped pioneer and bring it further outside of the continent.

​

Show Highlight: 2022:
Unsound (PL), Nyege Nyege festival (UG), Esperanzah! festival (BE), Clandestino festival (SW), Robot festival (IT)...
EU tour window for 2023: June/July - November 

 

RELEASES:
May 2022 - Ama Gogela
Sept. 2020 - 2013 - 2019

​

PRESS
BLEEP | 100 Tracks 2022 

THE WIRE | Releases Of The Year 2022

PITCHFORK | 'Ama Gogela' Album Review

PAM | Phelimuncasi, le gqom en famille

PAM | Phelimuncasi, family gqom

DJ MAG | Phelimuncasi: 'When you listen to gqom, it is also speaking to you'

DJ MAG | Phelimuncasi release new video for NET GALA produced track, ‘Dlala Ngesinqa’

PITCHFORK | 8 New Albums You Should Listen To Now