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Simphiwe Dana releases Youth Day single

SA's neo soul songstress Simphiwe Dana has released an exclusive digital single for Youth Day entitled 'State Of Emergency'.
The single will be available exclusively for digital download from 16 June 2012 by SMSing "SIMPHIWE" to 31116 on Vodafone Live.

'State of Emergency' was written in commemoration of the 16 June 1976 student uprising in Soweto.

"The year, 1976, was a gruesome time in South Africa," said Dana. "I'm still haunted by Apartheid images of state-endorsed black-on-black violence and the status quo of dehumanization. I still feel that - instead of moving forward - the world is going backwards. This song addresses the 1976 uprisings and social injustices which are occurring around the world today," she added.

Although Dana began her career in early 2004 with the release of her debut album 'Zandisile', she has been heavily involved in SA politics through her literacy program as well as incessantly tweeting her dissatisfaction.

'Zandisile' achieved platinum-plus status in South Africa and landed Dana the Best Newcomer award in 2004's South African Music Awards (SAMAs). Her second album, 'The One Love Movement On Bantu Biko Street', achieved Gold status and won the SAMA for Album Of The Year in 2007.

Her third album, 'Kulture Noir', nabbed Metro FM Music Awards for Best Produced Album and Best Female Artist.