South African R&B singer-songwriter Rowlene took to the stage in Berlin on Thursday, 5 November, performing at the Most Wanted: Music Club Festival 2026.
Born and raised in Elsies River, Cape Town, and now based in Johannesburg, the multi-SAMA-nominated artist has continued to build her name since first breaking through on Nasty C’s hit single “SMA”. With her second studio album, Some Strings Attached, released on 12 August 2026, Rowlene is entering a new chapter in her career and taking her sound to international audiences.
Her performance took place at the Badehaus Live Stage at RAW-Gelände, as part of a programme partnership between the Africa Rising Music Conference (ARMC), SAMPRA and Berlin Music Commission. Beyond the stage, her Berlin visit included studio sessions with German artists, content shoots around the city and networking with international music industry stakeholders. Speaking about the experience, Rowlene described taking her music from Elsies River to Berlin as a moment she does not take lightly, adding that she was returning home with new music, connections and inspiration.
The showcase was supported by the SAMPRA Development Fund, which helps South African recording artists access international opportunities. It also forms part of ARMC’s broader efforts to build connections between African talent and the global music industry. With South African music continuing to reach audiences beyond its borders, opportunities like this create important pathways for artists to collaborate, grow and take their careers further. For Rowlene, Berlin was about more than just performing; it was another step in putting South African R&B on the international map.