Nakhane

Nakhane Mahlakahlaka (born Nakhane Lubabalo Mavuso, 3 February 1988) is a South African singer, songwriter, actor, and novelist. They were formerly known by the stage name Nakhane Touré. Having grown up in a Christian community in Port Elizabeth, they moved to Johannesburg at fifteen, leaving the church in 2013 and publicly celebrating their queerness with their debut album Brave Confusion. They found both controversy and critical acclaim with their starring role in John Trengove's 2017 feature film Inxeba (The Wound), and relocated to London, where they recorded and released a heavily autobiographical album You Will Not Die in 2018. Their work has been championed by Elton John, who interviewed Nakhane on his Beats 1 radio show, and Madonna, who cited them as one of her two favourite artists and said their music influenced her 2019 album Madame X.

Nakhane is non-binary and goes by they/them pronouns.

Early life Nakhane was born Nakhane Lubabalo Mavuso and at the age of seven they were adopted by their aunt, who, they have said, was "to all intents and purposes" their mother, Having known they were gay for a few years, they came out to their friends and cousins at the age of 17. At 18 they began reading the work of James Baldwin, with whose black queer characters they strongly identified, and who became a substantial influence on Nakhane. who took them to prophets who encouraged them to renounce their homosexuality. Nakhane met a pastor's son, whereupon they became devoutly religious, joined a conservative Baptist Church, regularly attended bible studies, underwent gay conversion therapy, and preached against homosexuality.

Throughout five years of attempting to deny their homosexuality, during which time they would secretly visit gay clubs, they suffered guilt, fear and self-hatred. and at 25 had a breakdown, sleeping on sofas thanks to compassionate friends the church had told them to cut ties with. They extricated themselves from the church

Music career

Beginnings (1995–2007)

Nakhane knew they wanted to be an artist after singing at a Christmas carol concert at the age of seven. and was later influenced by Radiohead, Leonard Cohen, and eventually getting signed, and as an ode to pan-Africanism. Nakhane began to gravitate towards a more electronic sound. then began writing their second album. Nearing their 30s and looking for closure, they wanted to end their 20s "on a positive note instead of an angry and bitter note", They wanted to work with electronic drums and synthesisers, and told Christophers they wanted the album to sound like the second side of David Bowie's Low, "but with the spirit of Nina Simone." It was released on 16 March 2018. Clash Music called it 'an incredibly beautiful document of self-acceptance, a soaring ode to self-worth, a blissful, remarkably assured piece of creativity.' Q magazine wrote that it was a 'remarkable' album, 'defiantly modern and unashamedly emotional.' A deluxe edition, featuring the Anohni collaboration "New Brighton", was released in North America on 22 February 2019. Pitchfork wrote that the album was 'an instant revelation on its own terms,' calling it 'strikingly intimate.' In May 2019 it won Best Alternative Album at the South African Music Awards.

In June 2019, to mark the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots that had sparked the start of the modern LGBTQ rights movement, Queerty named them one of the Pride50 "trailblazing individuals who actively ensure society remains moving towards equality, acceptance and dignity for all queer people".

Acting career

Following the release of Brave Confusion, film director John Trengove contacted Nakhane, asking them if they'd consider making the music for their 2017 film Inxeba (The Wound). After they met, Trengove asked them if they'd audition to play the lead role of factory worker Xolani in the film,

Due to protests, intimidation and vandalism in response to the film in South Africa, many cinemas cancelled screenings. Having initially been classified as a 16LS, it was then reclassified as X18, a certification usually reserved for hardcore pornography. In response, on social media Nakhane wrote of homophobia, saying they refused 'to live in shame for your patriarchy to keep on living.' Following "an onslaught" Nakhane won awards for Best Actor at Durban International Film Festival, Palm Springs International Film Festival, South African Film And Television Awards, and Valencia International Film Festival Cinema Jove. The Hollywood Reporter called their performance 'an impressive screen debut.' The Playlist wrote that they were 'incredibly affecting as their quiet, secretive, lonely soul.'

After watching Inxeba (The Wound) and then listening to their music, John Cameron Mitchell cast Nakhane as Jairo, 'a young man who struggles with a host of demons', in 2019's Anthem: Homunculus podcast musical.

Writing In 2015, Nakhane's debut novel Piggy Boy's Blues was published, set in their hometowns of Alice and Port Elizabeth and portraying a Xhosa royal family. It was nominated for the Barry Ronge Fiction Prize and the Etisalat Prize for Fiction.

Discography Studio albums 2013: Brave Confusion 2019: You Will Not Die 2023: Bastard Jargon

Filmography 2017: The Wound by John Trengove - as Xolani 2019: Anthem: Homunculus by John Cameron Mitchell - as Jairo (8 episodes, TV series) 2020: Two Eyes by Travis Fine - as Thandi 2021: Ear for Eye by Debbie Tucker Green - as US They 2024: Crave by Mark Middlewick - as David (short film)