A South African acapella ensemble has garnered widespread acclaim following their performance alongside renowned US musician Doja Cat at the Coachella music festival.
The group known as The Joy joined Doja Cat during her headline slot on Sunday night, receiving praise for their rendition of the rapper’s hit single “Shutcho”.
Singing in Zulu, the ensemble showcased a “gorgeous” five-part harmony, as noted by Billboard.
Critics interpreted the collaboration as a tribute to Doja Cat’s heritage, given that the Grammy award-winning artist has a South African father.
South Africans took to social media to commend The Joy, who originate from the coastal city of Durban, for showcasing the country’s culture on a global platform.
Following the performance, The Joy expressed their gratitude on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), describing the experience as a significant moment.
The performance attracted a crowd of nearly 100,000 fans at Coachella’s main stage and was also livestreamed to thousands of online viewers.
Doja Cat made history as the first female rapper to headline Coachella or any major annual music festival in the US.
It is believed that The Joy became the first South African group to perform on Coachella’s main stage, marking a milestone for the ensemble.
Coachella, an annual music festival held in the California desert, is renowned for featuring some of the world’s most prominent acts, making it one of the largest and most prestigious music festivals in the US.