PJ Powers - Biography

Biography

BORN in DURBAN in 1960, PJ Powers made her debut as a vocalist with the all-girl group “Pantha” in 1979. She then fronted the rock group “Hotline” from 1980 through to 1987, when she launched her solo career.

One of South Africa’s most consistent and consummate performers, PJ Powers has recorded over 16 albums, and has maintained a high profile presence both as recording artist and as a live performer for over twenty years.

Loved and enjoyed by a diverse crossover audience in her native South Africa, her support extends to the neighbouring states such as Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana and Mozambique.

1988 saw PJ banned from radio and TV for a year by the apartheid government for her performance at a charity concert for war orphans in Zimbabwe, together with Miriam Makeba and Harry Belafonte. She was encouraged to continue her singing by Nelson Mandela, who sent her an encouraging letter from Victor Verster Prison in Cape Town.

PJ’s 1995 collaboration with Ladysmith Black Mambazo “World in Union”, introduced her to an international audience, when the song charted in the United Kingdom. Performances at high profile events including the Inauguration of President Nelson Mandela, and the Rugby World Cup further consolidated her high profile career.

In the ’90s her music took on a more Afro-pop focus, Finding a receptive audience in the black market, and she took on the nickname Thandeka, “the loved one”. Some of her biggest hits like Feel so strong she wrote herself, ether with You’re so good to me, There is an answer, and Home to Africa, reflecting her patriotism. One of her biggest hits (with Hotline) was “Jabulani” – written by Hotline band member, bass guitarist George van Dyk.

PJ has shared the stage with Eric Clapton, Joan matrading, Hugh Masekela, Divine Divas, Lord Richard Attenborough, Richard E. Grant, Sibongile Khumalo, Janet Suzman and other big names. PJ sang for Queen Elizabeth of the United Kingdom, King Juan Carlos of Spain and Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands.

She sang at the inauguration of President Nelson Mandela and at the 1995 Rugby World Cup. PJ collaborated with Vicky Sampson, Yvonne Chaka Chaka and M’du Masilela for the music video flighted at the United Nation¹s Assembly in Washington DC and in Greece. PJ also wrote an 85th birthday song for Mandela, which she sang for him and guests including Bill Clinton and Oprah Winfrey at his party in 2003.

In 2009 Powers’s song, World In Union was featured in the Academy Award-nominated film, Invictus (film).

2010 saw PJ teaming up with local Hip Hop Superstar, HHP (Hip Hop Pantsula) in a collaborative effort that saw the two local superstars remake of the ever popular Hotline hit ‘Jabulan,i’ and furthermore, an entire collaborative Album.

As PJ herself puts it, “I had a hit with Hotline with the song ‘Jabulani’, HHP’s real name is Jabulani and, of course, the Adidas official match ball for the upcoming 2010 World Cup has also been dubbed Jabulani.”

This brilliant triple-score of a word that means “to celebrate” in isiZulu is now a sure-fire hit song that’s destined to have music fans delighted that one of South Africa’s signature songs has now been recast to fit the incredible, at times crazy, country both PJ and HHP call home.

Produced by HHP, the 2010 version of “Jabulani” – dubbed the P & J Remix” – is remarkably faithful to the original Hotline hit, penned by that 80s group’s bass player, George van Dyk.

This unique music project is a journey into South Africa’s past through the inclusion of many of PJ’s hits, like the self-penned monster track “Feel So Strong”, and many others.

2011 sparked a new venture for PJ as she dedicates herself to another love she has developed – Motivational speaking. PJ has created a platform in the form of her own company called ‘The Power of Appreciation,’ where she will spend most of her time conducting inspirational and motivating speaking forums, based on her life and her experiences, her trials and tribulations and on how these factors have inspired her to became the person she is today.