About Crosby Bolani

BIOGRAPHY of Crosby Bolani

Siyasanga Crosby Bolani (a.k.a Digi-Analog), is a multi-talented artist and producer, whose songs are
based on social commentary. Born in Cape Town into a musical family, he grew up in a township on the
edge of Cape Town named Gugulethu, a place known for its artistic flair and creativity. With music a part
of his family history, and with an all consuming passion for it from a young age, he naturally took to it as
a full time career. Turned on to soul and gospel music by his grandmother during schooldays spent in
the Eastern Cape, at 15 he established his first group. Calling themselves the Def Boys, they are still to
this day regarded as one of the pioneers of Hip Hop on the East Coast of Southern Africa.
At the age of 17, two years later, he returned to live with his family in Cape Town. His father, an oil rig
worker by profession, was able during his travels to acquire an extensive collection of Reggae music,
music which he then introduced to Gugulethu. Infected by this new sound, Crosby, together with his
cousin Zoro, founded a new group, Chronic Clan. In 2002, they won the South African Broadcast
Corporation’s national talent search, an award soon followed by their first tour to Europe. With Zoro
eventually deciding to emigrate to Sweden, Crosby began to concentrate on his solo career. Touring
relentlessy internationally and collaborating with dozens of artists from Europe, he was soon playing
alongside some of the biggest names in the Hip Hop and Reggae arena, including such artists as Rita
Marley, Capleton, Sizzla, Gentleman, Talib Kweli and Snoop Dogg.
On August 2013, shortly after returning from a cultural exchange initiative in the Netherlands, Crosby
was robbed and shot three times.
He survived, driven by his will to live. The attack had a profound impact on his musical career, depriving
him of the ability to produce and perform for a number of months. Upon his recovery, pushed by a
desire to create and to make use of the gift of life granted to him, he created an electrifying 5 track
showcase, The Unity E.P. Recorded at Red Bull Studios in Cape Town, it showcased the positivity of the
spirit which flows through him.
Recently, Crosby has worked with world renowned Dj and legendary Japanese producer DJ Krush,
appearing on his most recent album, “The Butterfly Effect”. He has also recorded a 12 track reggae
album in Munich Germany with the Next Generation Band, was released in February 2017 (titled “A
Better Place”).
Despite his relatively poor background and challenging circumstances whilst growing up, Crosby remains
one of the most energetic and positive South African musicians performing today. Through his lyrics and
action, he has been a great inspiration to many of the youth in his community, most of whom face huge
challenges in their daily lives, the same challenges that he faced whilst growing up.
Crosby’s lyrics are honest and authentic, challenging and questioning.
He speaks about the daily struggle of poor people in the ghettos, about nature and it’s destruction, his
livity as a Rastafarian, and his knowledge of African culture and history.
In 2018 he toured with prominent reggae artists Anthony B and Nkulee Dube, backed by Azania Band in
Mauritius and Reunion Island.
The year 2019 saw Crosby and Azania playing at a peace festival in war-torn eastern D.R Congo followed
by yet another tour with Japanese legend Dj Krush in 2020 where he performed in Tokyo and Osaka.
He has released a string of features and singles since his first debut album and has been continuously
recording new material ranging from all styles of music.
In 2022 , after a long hiatus of live performances due to the pandemic, Crosby has graced the stage with
reggae music icons namely Jah Mason and Turbulance The Future aka Big Lion. The following year,
Crosby got to record in Brussels Belgium for the first time for a production which is yet to be released.
In 2023 and 2024 Crosby once again toured Belgium, Germany, France and Switzerland recording new
music and performing at various events.
He continues to thrill fans with his energy and conscious lyrics globally.

DISCOGRAPHY

Albums: 

• The world is my hood (2015)
• Unity EP (2014)
  
  

Compilation CD’s:

• African Dope Soundsystem (2003)
• Rogue State Alliance (2004)
• Time-X Riddim (2006)
• Rogue State Alliance II (2008)
• Cape Riddims (2011)
• Sweet Sativa Riddim (2015)

Featured albums:

• Mix n Blend - Look Mom No Hands (2009)
• Greis, „So leid“ (2010)
• Pyro, „Schatteboxe“ (2012)
• Burni Amann …. (2014)
• Ganjaman, „Jetzt“ (2014)
• DJ Krush „Butterfly Effect“ (2015)
• Mellowmark „Roots & Flügel (2015)

Singles: 

• TCF Rock Riddim (2014)
• TCF Ungrateful (2014)