Deslynn Malotana

Deslynn Malotana embodies the soul of South African music, weaving resilience, artistry, and global consciousness into a narrative that resonates across borders. Rooted in Johannesburg, Queenstown, and Cape Town, she claims Cape Town as home while embracing a worldview that transcends geography. Her music - a rich fusion of soul, jazz, afrosoul, and R&B influences - crafts universality from personal truth, inviting listeners into a profoundly human experience.
Born into a legacy of musical brilliance, Deslynn is the daughter of the late Desmond Malotana, founder of the legendary ’80s band The Big Dudes and composer of Weekend Special. Her creative path began with her 2014 self-titled EP and the chart-topping single How, a soulful breakthrough that cemented her place in South Africa’s contemporary music landscape.
Notable collaborations include Black Love with Andy Mkosi (2018), Old School Love featuring Brae (2020), and Peace In Flames (2022) each showcasing her ability to merge deep feeling with genre fluidity.
As a live performer, she has graced stages such as the Cape Town International Jazz Festival in both 2017 (with Mark Fransman’s Sonik Citizen and Cape Tone) and 2025 (alongside Thembi Dunjana), The Afro Diaspora Connection (2025, with Thembi Dunjana), Speak The Mind SA (2025), the Cape Town Jazzathon (2017), and the Zeitz MOCAA Gucci Gala (2022).
Deslynn studied vocal performance at the Campus of Performing Arts and expanded her knowledge of entrepreneurship and creative business through the Bridges for Music Academy, where she valued the program’s holistic and community-driven approach.
Her debut album is set for release in September 2025, preceded by the soulful singles Meet Me Here and Guidance. The album delves into themes of love, healing, and spiritual discovery.
Deslynn Malotana is not just a performer - she is a storyteller, a healer, and an architect of feeling. With every note, she offers an invitation into her world: soulful, grounded, and unforgettably human.