When you’re in a room where South African music history, contemporary creativity, and collaboration come together, you can expect something magical – the media launch of Don Laka’s (in the picture) latest project, Invitation 2, at the Sony Music offices in Johannesburg was exactly that. The event brought together media and music lovers to celebrate one of South Africa’s most respected musical talents and to get an insight into the next chapter of the Invitation project.
Don Laka – A South African Music Institution
For anyone who has followed the evolution of South African music, Don Laka needs little introduction. A celebrated musician, producer, composer and arranger, Laka has played an important role in the development and evolution of South African popular music. His career spans decades, with his work crossing genres and generations while remaining deeply connected to the country’s musical identity. He is particularly recognised for his contribution to the South African jazz landscape, with a career that has seen him work both as a recording artist and behind the scenes as a producer and musical collaborator. What makes Don Laka particularly fascinating is his ability to embrace change. Rather than simply looking back at his extensive catalogue, he continues to explore new sounds, new artists, and new creative possibilities. And that spirit of collaboration is at the heart of the Invitation project.
The Invitation Project
The Invitation concept is about bringing Don Laka’s musical vision together with a new generation of artists and collaborators. Rather than being simply a solo project, Invitation creates a musical space where different artists can contribute their own personalities, influences and interpretations. The result is a meeting point between established musical knowledge and contemporary sounds. With Invitation 2, Don continues that journey, inviting an exciting collection of collaborators into his musical world and demonstrating how powerful collaboration can be when artists from different backgrounds come together. The project also highlights something that is so important to the South African music industry — creating platforms for local artists to be heard, celebrated and introduced to new audiences.
Sitting Down with Don Laka and the Collaborators
One of the highlights of the launch for me was having the opportunity to sit down and chat with Don Laka himself. Don’s passion for music, his experience in the industry and his enthusiasm for the Invitation 2 project made for a fascinating conversation. It was wonderful to hear directly from the man behind the project about the creative thinking, collaborations and musical journey that brought it together.
I also had the opportunity to chat with four of the artists who form part of this exciting project:
Encleĕ, Kelo K, Tally N and African Soul Prince.
Each conversation offered a different perspective on the project and what it means to collaborate with an artist of Don Laka’s calibre.
What stood out was the sense of excitement around being part of something that connects different generations and approaches to South African music. These conversations also reinforced just how much talent exists within our local music industry. When established artists create opportunities for emerging and contemporary voices, everybody benefits — the artists, the industry and, ultimately, the audience.
A Celebration of Local Music
Events such as this are important because they remind us that South African music continues to evolve. Our industry has an extraordinary history, but it is equally important to look towards the future and create opportunities for new artists to develop, collaborate, and reach audiences. Invitation 2 feels like a celebration of that philosophy — bringing experience and fresh creative energy together while continuing to showcase the diversity of South African music. It was fantastic to see Sony Music creating a space where the project could be properly introduced to the media and where the artists involved could share their stories.
A big thank you to the Sony Music team for hosting such a great event and for creating an environment that allowed the music, the artists, and the stories behind the project to take centre stage. A special thank you to Thlalefang Ndlondlolozi for the work that went into making the event such a success and for helping create a platform that promotes and celebrates local music. As someone who is passionate about shining a light on the incredible talent within our entertainment industry, it is always exciting to attend an event where the focus is firmly on South African creativity. Don Laka’s Invitation 2 is another reminder that our musical story is constantly being written — and that some of the most exciting chapters happen when established legends and the next generation of artists come together. Here’s to collaboration, creativity, and the continued celebration of South African music.