Nakhane is a South African multimedia artist. Having grown up among a Christian community in Gqeberha, at 15 they moved to Johannesburg, leaving the church in 2013, publicly celebrating their queerness with their debut album Brave Confusion which won the South African Music Award for Best Alternative Album.

In 2015, Nakhane’s debut novel Piggy Boy’s Blues was published. It was nominated for the Barry Ronge Fiction Prize and the Etisalat Prize for Fiction. They found both controversy and critical acclaim with their starring role in John Trengove’s 2017 feature Inxeba (The Wound), which they won four acting awards for (FIPRESCI award for Best Actor in a foreign film, South African Film and Television Awards, Durban International Film Festival, Valencia International Film Festival Cinema Jove).

Nakhane relocated to London to record and release 2018’s album You Will Not Die. 

The album garnered acclaim and adoration from publications and platforms such as Pitchfork, The New York Times, The Observer, i-D, DIY, MOJO, Noisey, Loud & Quiet, The Line Of Best Fit. Meanwhile simultaneously gaining adoration from world renowned superstars Madonna and Elton John. The album also won the South African Music Award for Best Alternative Album.

In 2020, they appeared in Travis Fine’s film, Two Eyes, and award-winning writer/director debbie tucker green’s feature film, Ear for Eye.

In 2023, they released their 3rd studio album, Bastard Jargon, featuring production from Nile Rodgers.

Nakhane has recently completed their debut short film B(L)IND THE SACRIFICE which they wrote, directed and scored. It is projected for release in 2024.