CELEBRATING THE LEGACY OF CREATIVE EXPRESSION
Sounds of Freedom
Music Festival
BASHA UHURU FREEDOM FESTIVAL
13 September 2025
No under 18s.
Sounds of Freedom Music Festival
One Stage. A Thousand Stories. Infinite Vibes.
The Sounds of Music Festival returns this September and it’s bringing the heat.
In true Basha style, this explosive finale is a full-day celebration of music, movement, and creative energy. Expect iconic headliners, new wave talent, and surprise sets that’ll leave your jaw somewhere in the food court.
From smooth afternoon grooves to late-night bangers, it’s a sonic journey of South African brilliance set on the iconic grounds of Constitution Hill.
A Festival Built for the Culture
Sounds of Music is more than just a gig, it’s a full-on cultural experience.
Live performances, curated DJ sets, immersive activations, the Curated Market, food trucks, cocktail corners, and vibey corners to post up and soak it all in.
Whether you’re here to dance, discover, or just de-stress this is your space to feel everything loudly and leave with a full heart (and camera roll).
Free Tickets
Strictly 18+. Tickets will be released in phases, so keep an eye on our socials and site to lock yours in.
BOOM SHAKA
Presenting the Basha Uhuru Sounds of Freedom Legacy Award Winners 2025
Pioneers of kwaito and street style, Boom Shaka defined post-apartheid youth culture in the ‘90s. With fire hits like “It’s About Time” and “Thobela,” their fusion of house, hip-hop, and raw dance energy made them legends. Led by Lebo Mathosa and Thembi Seete, they didn’t just make music — they started a movement.
DJ CNDO
Known as Durban’s Finest First Lady, DJ CNDO (Sindisiwe Zungu) is a trailblazer in the South African house scene. Rising from Mangosuthu Technikon to becoming a club and radio mainstay, she’s dropped multiple hit albums and became the first black female DJ to release a house compilation in SA. CNDO’s signature is soulful, energetic, and unshakably Durban.
JAHSEED AND ADMIRAL
Since 1996, DJ duo Admiral and Jahseed have electrified dancefloors with Dancehall Reggae, Afropop, and Afrobeats. From Soweto to the world, they’ve launched global stars, won the 2012 Red Bull Culture Clash, and co-hosted YFM’s legendary “Raggatak”. With over 24 years of sound system culture behind them, they remain unstoppable pioneers of pan-African bass.
Kid Fonque
Allan Nicoll, aka Kid Fonque, is a cornerstone of South African electronic music. With a 20-year career spanning DJing, radio, and label leadership, he founded Stay True Sounds and now heads up A&R at the global powerhouse Defected Records. His “Selective Styles” show won Best Dance Radio Show at the 2019 DMASA. Expect deep house, underground gems, and genre-defying vibes.
Mthandeni SK
Crowned King of Maskandi, Mthandeni SK is a platinum-selling artist blending deep-rooted tradition with digital innovation. With over 100 million streams, a record label, and a SAMA-winning hit “Paris,” he’s taken Maskandi from rural roots to the global stage.
Pabi Cooper
Amapiano superstar and platinum artist, Pabi Cooper rose from viral dancer to chart-dominating force. With hits like “Isiphitiphiti” and “Waga Bietjie,” she’s also a qualified football referee and founder of Cooper Entertainment. Style, talent, and hustle in one.
QUE DJ
One half of Distruction Boyz and a pioneer of Gqom’s global takeover, QUE DJ blends hard-hitting beats with high fashion collabs and festival innovation. From “Omunye” to his “We Don’t Play The Same Gqom” fest, QUE is Gqom’s sound and soul.
TOSS
Tsakane’s own, TOSS broke out with the viral hit “uMlando” and his genre-defining pantsula flair. With knockout performances, unforgettable dance challenges, and storytelling that honors Kwaito’s legacy, he’s SA’s next cultural icon in the making.
Lamiez Holworthy
Lamiez Holworthy is a powerhouse on the South African music scene—an acclaimed DJ, TV personality, and trailblazer known for breaking barriers in the male-dominated world of house music. Hailing from Pretoria, the Capital City of House, she’s spent over a decade commanding the decks with her signature style, becoming a favourite at top venues and festivals nationwide. From her early gigs to becoming Sun City Resort’s official DJ, Lamiez continues to redefine what it means to lead in entertainment.
Khuli Chana
Khuli Chana is a pioneering South African hip-hop artist and cultural icon credited with popularising the genre of Motswako—a fusion of Setswana and English lyrics layered over diverse beats. Rising from the streets of Maftown with groups like Morafe to launching a solo career that’s earned multiple awards, Khuli’s influence extends beyond music. As a creative entrepreneur, philanthropist, and speaker, he continues to shape Africa’s cultural and creative narrative with authenticity and purpose.
