Vocal harmonies in Zulu.

The South African a cappella group The Joy has rapidly risen to fame. They started out as teenagers in Durban, posting videos online of themselves singing in the classroom.

The quintet’s beautiful harmonies and genre mix quickly captured the hearts of listeners, and major stars like Jennifer Hudson and Alicia Keys brought them into the spotlight. In 2024, they performed with Doja Cat on Coachella’s largest stage, and they’ve also provided vocals on The Blessed Madonna’s Shades of Love, which has garnered millions of streams.

The group’s harmonies in Zulu are a traditional part of their cultural identity, but their music has also resonated across continents. Perhaps it is the limitless harmonies, or the euphoric feeling one gets when The Joy bursts into song. The group themselves have a clear message about the power of music: ‘Life made us friends, music made us brothers.’

Photo: Kgomotso Neto