Nakhane

South African polymath Nakhane challenges stereotypes of gender and sexuality; their powerful, confessional, erudite odes to self-expression combine electro-pop and soul, and their extraordinary, swooping voice is front and center. Initially working under the name Nakhane Touré, they debuted in 2013 with the folk-based Brave Confusion album before transitioning to a more electronic-based approach and dropping their adopted surname. After moving to London, 2019′s theatrical You Will Not Die proved to be a creative breakout for Nakhane, earning critical acclaim and an international audience. They returned in 2022 with EP, Leading Lines, which featured guest appearances from Perfume Genius and Nile Rodgers.
Born Nakhane Mavuso in 1988 in the small town of Alice in the Eastern Cape, at the age of seven they were adopted by their aunt. Taking her surname, Mahlakahlaka, they went to live with her in the city of Port Elizabeth, where they were brought up in a conservative Christian household. Nakhane accompanied her to regular choir practices, and through her was introduced to soul artists such as Marvin Gaye before going on to discover homegrown heroes like Busi Mhlongo, Hugh Masekela, and Brenda Fassie. A precocious child, they were intellectual, literary-minded, and music-obsessed; they played in their school’s wind band and steel band, sang in the choir, and performed in musicals.
As a teen they came out as gay to their family and were subsequently forced to undergo conversion therapy, which they initially embraced. At the age of 15, Nakhane left home for Johannesburg, still struggling with their sexuality. There they studied acting, film music composition, and literature but left college without graduating. Deciding to pursue music as a career, they began performing in clubs, adopting the Malian-inspired stage name Touré. They were signed to a record deal with the Sony-distributed Just Music and in 2013 released their debut album, Brave Confusion, an acoustic folk-based effort in which they attempted to reconcile their Christianity and homosexuality. Eventually deciding it was impossible, they recanted their faith. In 2015 they were featured on the single “We Dance Again” by popular South African house producer Black Coffee. In 2016 Nakhane published their first novel, Piggy Boy Blues, and in 2017 made their screen acting debut in the feature film Inxeba (“The Wound”), which tackled homosexuality in the conservative Xhosa culture. The film earned them several awards but provoked a backlash among the Xhosa community, with Nakhane receiving death threats. In order to expand their global reach, they decided to move to London. Dropping “Touré” from their name, they began work on their second album with producer Ben Christophers. Citing David Bowie’s Low and Nina Simone as inspirations, 2019′s You Will Not Die combined electronic pop with soul and gospel influences in a style at times reminiscent of Terence Trent d'Arby, while their confessional lyrics dealt with their struggle for self-acceptance. Nakhane’s creative leap was rewarded with critical acclaim and nods from high-profile fans like Elton John and Madonna.
Over the next few years, Nakhane continued to expand their artistry, publishing a series of personal essays and delving into the work of science fiction writer N.K. Jemisen, whose elaborate world-building influenced their next phase, as reflected on their dynamic 2022 single “Tell Me Your Politik,” a collaboration with Nile Rodgers and South African singer Moonchild Sanelly. Along with follow-up single “Do You Well” with Perfume Genius, it was included on Nakhane’s Leading Lines EP in December of that year. ~ John D. Buchanan