#VocalistOfNote – Tamara Dey

Born in Belgium of an Italian father and South African mother, Tamara Dey first burst onto the music scene in 2000.

Dubbed the First Lady of Kwaito, an icon of township pop, & ‘The First Lady of Song’ (Sunday Times), Tamara Dey was discovered by DJ Pepsi who introduced her to Bruce Sebitlo and Oscar Mdlongwa (DJ Oscar of YFM radio) of Brothers of Peace. The result was a collaboration, which produced the chart-topping Thathi ‘Mphahlayakho and launched her career.

Her collaboration with BOP on this track saw her travel the length & breadth of South Africa on the Sony Summer Sounds Tour 2000, with BOP and a group of 60 artists including the likes of Mandla Spikiri’s Trompies and Mafikizolo. The track was nominated for three SA Music Awards in early 2001.

Tamara has managed to cross all cultural, age & language barriers. She has unassumingly been recognized as one of the few SA artists contributing towards bridging the gap between all cultures, ages & races. With 11 official languages in SA, Tamara’s music has been described as the ‘unofficial language’; celebrating the heart & soul of South Africa and it seems she’s just getting warmed up…

After using the time and space afforded to her during the Covid19 crises to write and record, the 2020s was set to be one of Tamara’s most exciting decades yet…with yet another reinvention as the diva of disco… her latest hit single is a remake of the 80s anthem “Leave Me Alone” (from Brenda Fassie) which has reached number 1 on the 5FM dance music chart in 2023 for The 1st Lady of Song.