Jorja Smith will be the headline act for the Rocking the Daisies 2026 edition. The announcement.makes Smith the first major international name revealed for the event. This event will take place from 2nd to 4th October at Cloof Wine Estate in the Western Cape.

Despite Smith’s popularity across African audiences, the performance is her first-ever live appearance on the continent.  She started out as a songwriter in Walsall before evolving into a popular British R&B Artist. Smith has produced albums like Lost & Found (2018) and Falling or Flying (2023). In 2017, she won a BRIT award as the most promising British Artist. She got a Grammy nomination in 2019 in the Best New Artist category. The award and nomination shows how far she has come in the industry.

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Now in its 21st year, the festival has hosted popular acts in South Africa who perform well in entertainment. Previous editions Kehlani and Summer Walker. This year’s festival is expected to be more entertaining than previous ones.

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Smith combines R&B with jazz, and has produced tracks like Blue Lights and Be Honest.  She has collaborated  with Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and Burna Boy, as well as South African duo Major League DJz.

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The 2026 edition comes under the theme “Welcome to the Garden,” inspired by the natural blooming of the Cape Daisy in Darling. Organisers confirm that there will be multi-stage performances and several art exhibitions.

The announcement has made Rocking the Daisies 2026 more popular. With more artists yet to be announced, Smith’s African debut will be closely watched this festival season.

Uncle Waffles and Royal Musiq’s joint EP “4 Da Streets” is  a continuation of a working relationship that has already produced some of their most recognisable collaborations. Reports confirm that the project is scheduled for release on May 8, 2026 via Encore Recordings, signalling a structured rollout.

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The same coverage identifies Royal Musiq not just as a featured collaborator but as a partner , having contributed to tracks such as “Zenzele,” “Wadibusa,” and “Baphi.” These records are great in percussion and long drums.

The EP also follows her 2024 EP ‘4 Da Ho’s. That project combined Amapiano with Bacardi house influences and featured Royal Musiq among its contributors. This earlier body of work provides context, as “4 Da Streets” is framed as a sister project. 

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“4 Da Streets” shows Uncle Waffles’ rise as an international Amapiano DJ and performer. Her rise from a breakout moment in 2021 to an artist touring across the United States, Europe, and the United Kingdom has been widely documented on  Africa Insider.

What distinguishes this EP is the intention to reconnect with Amapiano’s origins. The project has been described as a return to the streets. The title suggests this direction, signalling a move away from festival-oriented releases toward music meant for local dance floors.

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Uncle Waffles has been one of Amapiano’s most internationally visible DJs. However, collaborations  with Royal Musiq shows a  pattern where internationally recognised DJs work closely with top producers.

“4 Da Streets” sits between two spaces. On one side is Uncle Waffles’ international reach and growing mainstream visibility; on the other is Royal Musiq’s production-driven approach. The EP’s rollout suggests that this release will be appreciated by Amapiano’s audience.

Alexia Jayy is the first Black woman to win The Voice in the show’s history. Since its 2011 premiere, the show has produced multiple winners, none of whom have been a Black woman.

A soul and R&B vocalist from Alabama, Jayy entered The Voice and was coached by Adam Levine. Her blind audition of (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman, a classic by Aretha Franklin, earned multiple chair turns. Her pre-show career also included  serving as a backup singer for Muni Long. She also performed alongside Lauryn Hill in a Grammy Awards tribute to Roberta Flack.

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In the finale, Jayy delivered two performances that secured her win. Her rendition of One and Only and her performance of Lady Marmalade highlighted her vocal ability

“It’s been a while, so I almost forgot what it felt like to win ‘The Voice.’ This is a beautiful reminder, and what better person to win it with than Alexia. She’s ridiculous, so insanely talented,” Levine told USA TODAY 

The final lineup included teams led by Kelly Clarkson and John Legend, with Jayy advancing through consistent performances. Her win adds another victory to Adam Levine’s coaching record.

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The second-place winner was Liv Ciara, who received no chair turns when she auditioned last season. Third place went to Lucas West, a member of John Legend’s team. Clarkson’s Mikenley Brown finished in fourth place.

Before appearing on The Voice, Jayy had been building her music career. She has released original music, including the single Who Raised You and the EP Mixed Emotions, establishing her experience as a recording artist. She also received a recording contract with Universal Music Group and a cash prize of $100,000.