South African jazz doesn’t stand still. It evolves with the cities, languages, sounds and stories that shape the country — and Don Laka has spent decades making sure that evolution remains unmistakably local.
Now, the legendary composer, producer and pianist is opening another chapter with Invitation 2, the long-awaited follow-up to his 2007 album Invitations. Released on 11 September 2026 via Sony Music Entertainment Africa, the ambitious 24-track project connects Laka’s deep musical roots with contemporary South African sounds and a new generation of collaborators.
Nearly Two Decades Later, The Invitation Continues
The gap between Invitations and Invitation 2 is almost two decades, but the new album isn’t positioned as a simple nostalgia trip.
Instead, Laka uses the second instalment to explore how South African jazz can continue moving forward without losing the cultural DNA that made it powerful in the first place.
At the centre is his signature kwaai jazz approach — a genre-defying meeting point between jazz and South African styles such as kwaito, kwela and marabi.
That blend feels particularly relevant in a musical landscape where genre boundaries are increasingly fluid. For younger listeners who move effortlessly between amapiano, hip-hop, house, jazz and traditional sounds, Laka’s philosophy reflects an idea that South African music has always understood: different sounds can share the same room.
“eGawutini” Tells A Story South Africans Know
The album’s lead single, “eGawutini” featuring Siphokazi, brings that cultural conversation into focus.
The song revisits one of South Africa‘s enduring stories: someone leaving home and travelling to Johannesburg in pursuit of a better future.
It echoes the classic “Jim Come to Joburg” narrative, but places that journey in a contemporary setting.
Johannesburg may look different today, and the dreams people arrive with may have changed, but the emotional journey remains familiar — leaving home, navigating the big city and trying to build something better.
Through jazz-infused melodies and Laka’s distinctive musical language, “eGawutini” transforms that familiar experience into a soundscape that connects generations.
A New Chapter With Sony Music
Invitation 2 also arrives during a significant professional moment for Laka. His return to the Sony Music family in April 2026 signals another chapter for an artist whose career has consistently crossed musical and generational boundaries.
For Laka, the project is about looking backwards and forwards at the same time — honouring South African heritage while continuing to experiment.
And perhaps that’s the real invitation behind Invitation 2: not simply to remember where South African jazz came from, but to hear where it can go next.
Stream / Download: https://don-laka.sng.to/invitations2
