Luukhanyo lights up the Manenberg Stage at CTIJF with soulful energy
Luukhanyo & the Hii Rollers captivated crowds with a genre-blending performance at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival.
Image: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers
Cape Town made its presence felt on the second night of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF) as the Manenberg Stage became a showcase for hometown talent and rhythmic innovation.
At the centre of the evening was Luukhanyo, the Gugulethu-born, Brooklyn-based artist whose set bridged the gap between personal narrative and high-energy performance. Sharing the stage with the four-piece band The Hii Rollers, Luukhanyo, commanded the spotlight with a relaxed authority that set the tone for the night.
Luukhanyo wows crowds at the International Jazz Festival with genre-bending performance
Image: Vuyile Madwantsi
The atmosphere was pure magic, a collective vibe that set the stage for Luukhanyo, who commanded the spotlight with effortless grace. Blending what's often described as contemporary R&B, hip hop, funk and jazz improvisation into a versatile, genre-bending set that matched the sophisticated energy of the festival's second night. At the synergy of the band and the crowd singing, I GOT MONEY" from his 2022 single "Hii ROLLER"
The Hii Rollers serenading the CTIJF crowd.
Image: Vuyile Madwantsi
Backed by The Hii Rollers, a four-piece band that deserves its own standing ovation, the performance felt less like a show and more like an intimate jam session shared with thousands of close friends.
A trumpet solo soared above the crowd, evoking the nostalgia and grit of Cape jazz, while the keys danced lightly across vibrant basslines. The drum grooves, absolutely electric, take us straight back to Cape Town’s rich jazz legacy.
Luukhanyo’s vocal range was on full display as he pivoted from poetic rap verses to soulful refrains. Performing tracks from his 2025 album LUCKY UU, he explored themes of ambition and identity stories that felt deeply personal yet clearly resonated with the masses in the crowd in attendance. Reminding us why his voice is considered a shaping force in South Africa’s music scene.
Luukhanyo had matched the crowd’s high expectations. It was a performance defined by inspiration and technical skill, exactly what the CTIJF aims to celebrate.