- country:South Africa
- region:Cape Town
- style(s):Afro, Contemporary
- label:not signed
- type:Band, Composer/Songwriter
- instrumentation:vocal, singer songwriter
- artist posted by:Abavuki
Line up
- Christian (keyboard)
- Dustin Fouche (Guitar)
- Manuel Jardine (sax)
- Marvin (lead guitar)
- Rayelle Goodman (violin)
- Ricardo (drums)
- Yolanda Y'awa (vocals)
Yolanda Y'awa is a renowned Singer, Motivational Speaker and Fashion Designer who hails from the dusty streets of Gugulethu, a township in Cape Town, South Africa.
Former face and lead singer of the Afro-classical fusion band, Coda, Y'awa has been performing since she was 7 years old and her validation of her journey as a star came when she won her first talent competition belting out the sounds of 'Too Late for Mama', one of the late Brenda Fassie's hit songs.
"My upbringing was not always a 'bed of roses', so I mostly relied on God-given passion and inspiration to see me through life. A good dose of music and diverse cultural experiences in the township where I grew up, was a constant reminder that I had a voice to share with the world!", says Y'awa.
Her limitless hunger to explore her art passionately has allowed her to be invited as a special guest performer together with her then band-Coda to Arch Bishop Tutu's 75th birthday, following the success of her managing to get the Presidency and Heads of state, including Arch Bishop Tutu, down on their knees, all in the spirit of Ubuntu.
She has toured Europe with the Gugulethu Tenors, also as a solo artists performing with her Swiss band together with being part of the the project, Kaapstad meet Kytopia. She has sung at Afrika Festival Wurzburg 2014, Germany and the CMJ Marathon 2014, New York. At home, she sang at many corporate and private events.
She has also enjoyed the opportunity to sing the South African and Australian national anthems, alongside Justin Burgh for the international rugby match between SA and Australia in 2006. Y’awa’s captivating performance is inspired by the like of Brenda Fassie meets Miriam Makeba meets Tina Turner and Gill Scott. Y’awa released her debut album, CrossOva, in a glamorous event at the Cape Quarter Lifestyle event in 2011, with great media reviews.
Having recently released her 2nd album on September, 12th, 2015 Perfectly IMperfect, Y’awa is ready to take SA and international stages by storm!