Intergalactic shape-shifting kwaai diva Umlilo is a genre and gender bending multi-disciplinary artist. The queer performer and music producer’s signature sound, dubbed ‘future kwaai’, explores and pushes the boundaries of electronic kwaito, alt-pop music in contemporary South Africa and has been a regular fixture in the international music community. Umlilo merges an avant-garde aesthetic with technology, visual art, dance, film and fashion design. They have released two acclaimed visual EP’s that have been playlisted worldwide, received over 300 000 streams online and featured across film, art, literature, fashion and music platforms. Umlilo has performed shows and tours in North and South America, Southern Africa and Europe.
Umlilo received a OneBeat Accelerator grant to support their project ‘Nkulukeo (Freedom)‘. Nkulukeo is a workshop project designed to bring together queer musicians in modern-day Southern Africa to collaborate on songs about upliftment, healing, and freedom. The songs will be showcased in a special 1 hour Pride Edition podcast of Chakra Huns on Other Radio to mark the release of the EP, which will be available for streaming across several sites.
The project will take place in Johannesburg, Cape Town and surrounding areas. The workshop component will take place virtually, allowing artists in different Southern African countries (Namibia, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, and Mozambique) to take part.
