Acclaimed South African multidisciplinary artist and alternative pop musician Ange Madame recently released their ambitious self-titled latest project Ange Madame a genre bending album which blends R&B with disco, pop, jazz, and techno schools of music.
The Ange Madame project – which continues to create unseen worlds in their art and music – includes two new short film music videos D.W.Y.L x Starlight x Moonlight andInhale that introduce four songs off the album which was co-produced with French virtuoso Robbie Boney.
It has been a busy 12 months for the Cape Town based producer, rapper, vocalist and performance artist who last year won the Standard Bank Young Artist Award for Performance Art at the National Arts Festival. In their own words, Ange Madame says, “Standard Bank’s support of the arts has been instrumental in allowing artists, like myself, to thrive. Their commitment to culture and creativity empowers us to explore new horizons and push the boundaries of our art.”
Ange Madame (previously known as Angel Ho) is known for their limit defying approach to performance, musical production and digital expression. Transcending the boundaries found in the disciplines they work in, Ange Madame merges drag, performance and sound installation to build worlds that challenge societal expectations of gender, identity and culture.
“I believe that gender and sexuality are categories that can be used as tools for creating one’s unique expression of reality,” adds the artist. “Through my art, I aim to challenge conventions and embrace the fullness of who I am.”
Parallel, but not separate to their artistic pursuits, Ange Madame uses their platform and personal journey to advocate for mental wellness: “I want to show that it’s okay to struggle, and that our battles don’t define us. We can find beauty and strength in our vulnerabilities. Life is a gift, and I strive to honour that gift every day through my art.”
Living beyond the ear, on dance floors, radios and playlists, an integral part of Ange Madame’s practice plays out through performance. Whether in museums or as a part of major festivals, their performances fulfil their need to create an atmosphere that transforms the everyday into a spectacle like the one they sustained over three nights, at the National Art Festival, as the 2023 performance art Standard Bank Young Artist.
Both a recognition of their current achievements and a platform for their future growth, receiving the Standard Bank Young Artist award continued its objective of nurturing talent in the South African art scene by enabling the development of Ange Madame’s practice who has since gone on to realise the goal of a full-length album.
Bonga Sebesho, Standard Bank’s Group Head of Sponsorship, added, “Our commitment to the arts is centred around fostering the freedom of expression necessary for creative breakthroughs while ensuring a platform that hears and celebrates a diverse range of voices. We are thrilled to witness this in Ange Madame whose work not only reflects the richness of South Africa’s culture but also invites all of us to expand our world view.”
By championing the arts, Standard Bank not only enriches the cultural landscape but also fosters social cohesion and community engagement. Their support for artists such as Ange Madame exemplifies a dedication to ensuring that the arts in and from the African continent continue to thrive.
The post Avant-garde Ange Madame unveils their latest project appeared first on HYPE Magazine.
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