MOONGA K. - GARDEN

MOONGA K. is a Zambian-born and Botswana-raised singer, songwriter, activist, creative director, and sociologist. Now based in South Africa, his musical journey resembles that of his own self-discovery. “I’d like to think my music creates safe spaces for marginalized groups of people,” Moonga says. “I like to be a voice for people that are afraid to speak out, but more so amplifying their voices.”

From a firm musical background, Moonga started singing at 6, performing at 9 and was prompted to write after hearing Frank Ocean’s ‘American Wedding’ at age 14. "It all stems from my childhood," he says. "I'm obsessed with sci-fi and the way that we can be whatever want to be in different worlds and universes, so that inspires my big, experimental ideas". With further influences including Prince, Laura Mvula, D’Angelo, Ntozake Shange and Janelle Monáe, Moonga wraps his diverse palette into a sound that incorporates R&B, funk, soul, hip hop, rock, and electronic styles. With 2017’s FREE, 2018‘s debut album WILD SOLACE and 2020's an ode to growth under his belt, Moonga achieved recognition as Apple Music’s New Artist Spotlight and OkayAfrica’s 2018 list of ‘15 Best South African Albums So Far’ and has received high acclaim from publications such as GQ, AFROPUNK, Rolling Stone, Wonderland, The Fader, UPROXX, Red Bull Music, 10and5, Texx And The City and MusicInAfrica. Having whittled out a path for himself in the alternative scene, the 26-year-old artist has graced the stages of Planet Afropunk, Rocking the Daisies, OppiKoppi, Fête de la Musique, Splashy Fen Festival, Afternoon Express, Expresso, and Sofar Sounds. These performances offer a chance for the artist's creations to interact directly with fans. "As an artist who's put these sounds and words into the music, you always want to feel accepted by the people," he reveals.

What captures audiences' ears are Moonga's poignant lyricism, emotive melodies, textured interiority, and authentic social activism. “I think I've always been a vocal person – a fighter and rebel," Moonga shares. "I definitely dive into socio-political issues”. These elements are all present on his recent EP's, the SAMA-nominated "CANDID" produced and co-written with Greg Abrahams, and "IV" - a four-track record released in 2022, amassing more than 500 000 streams to date. Moonga explores themes such as toxic masculinity, racial injustice, identity, and mental well-being in these extended plays. “CANDID and IV are an amalgamation of all the work I've put out and the artist I've become – detailing my experiences being a young black person in this world.” With a sound as fluid as his identity, Moonga aims to provide the soundtrack to our collective journeys of self acceptance - while tapping more into afrofuturist tones. “It's about being somewhat creatively in the future,” he says. "Not being held back by the idea of being the same, sharing identities and standing in your own light.”