Don Laka Is Bringing Back "Invitations" Nearly 20 Years Later
South African jazz royalty Don Laka is putting out a sequel almost two decades in the making.
Likers of Things
Invitation 2, the follow-up to his 2007 classic Invitations, drops on 11 September 2026 via Sony Music Entertainment Africa and it's a big one, with 24 tracks on the album.
The record leans into Laka's signature sound: kwaai jazz, his own genre-bending mix of jazz with kwaito, kwela and marabi. It's the sound that's defined his career, and on Invitation 2 he's using it to bridge generations bringing in new collaborators and voices while staying true to the musicianship that made the original Invitations a classic in the first place.
The album also marks a full-circle moment for Laka, following his return to the Sony Music family earlier this year in April 2026. "Joining Sony Music marks a powerful new chapter for my music," Laka said of the deal. "I've spent my life honouring South African heritage while pushing boundaries, and this partnership allows me to expand that mission with renewed energy."
First up from the album is the lead single "eGawutini," featuring Siphokazi a modern take on the classic "Jim Comes to Joburg" story: someone leaving home for the big city in search of a better life. It's a narrative that's stayed relevant across generations in South Africa, and Laka wraps it in a contemporary jazz-infused production.
With Invitation 2, Laka isn't just revisiting an old favourite he's extending it, carrying South African jazz forward while still honouring where it came from.
Key details:
Album: Invitation 2
Artist: Don Laka
Release date: 11 September 2026
Pre-add/pre-save: 21 August 2026
Lead single: "eGawutini" featuring Siphokazi
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