Fresh off the back of their recent appearance at this year’s Coachella Festival where ‘The Joy’ joined Doja Cat on the main stage to open her headline performances on both weekends, South African vocal group have shared ‘Bayang’khethela’ the latest track from their forthcoming self-titled debut album which was out on Transgressive Records on Friday 21st June 2024.

Following the Coachella performance, last Friday Doja Cat released all three tracks featuring The Joy on DSPs as part of an expansive digital album, Scarlet 2 CLAUDE. The band provided lead vocals alongside the US rapper on recent single ‘ACKNOWLEDGE ME’, ‘DISRESPECTFUL’ and ‘Shutcho’, all of which were re-imagined to incorporate lyrics in Zulu.

‘Bayang’khethela’ is accompanied by a performance video which was filmed by Up The Game (the creative team behind Liam Gallagher: Knebworth 22 and Tonight with: Arlo Parks) at the live recording of the album which took place at the renowned Church Studios in Crouch End, London.

Talking about ‘Bayang’khethela’ The Joy explain: The song came from an upbringing and tradition in which parents choose who you should marry. ‘Bayang’khethela’ comes from the contrary belief that nobody can choose who you should marry or be in love with.

Recorded live during one live take, the album showcases the astounding natural vocal ability of the 5 group members – Pastor (Ntokozo Bright Magcaba), Duzie (Melokuhle Mkhungo), Guduza (Sphelele Hlophe), Sthombe (Phelelani Sithole) and Marcus (Sanele Ngcobo) – who have been together since meeting at school, and it was their astonishing talent which led Doja Cat to hand select them as her guest at Coachella.

Listen to ‘Bayang’khethela’ HERE

Pre-order the album HERE

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

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Press release courtesy of Sheila Afari