Billy Monama is a South African guitarist, author, composer, arranger, producer, and educator. Endorsed by Gibson guitars, Orange Amplifier, Elixir Strings & Sennheiser. Billy is CEO at Latonyx cc, founder and the managing director of The Grazroots Project. In 1997, Monama began his journey with the guitar inspired by the music of his childhood, which combined traditional ethnic sounds, African gospel and jazz. In 2016, Billy and Andy Innes released their album Brothers, a collection of original pieces written and arranged for the acoustic guitar in traditional styles. In October 2017, he released his debut album Rebounce. In 2020, he released tutorial videos about South African guitar styles. A sought-after guitarist, Monama has worked with artists including Themba Mkhize, Abdullah Ibrahim, Andile Yenana, Sibongile Khumalo, Victor Ntoni, Sipho ‘Hotstix’ Mabuse, Mbongeni Ngema, Dorothy Masuku, Abigail Kubeka, collaborative performance with Dave Koz, Denise Jannah and many others. Read more full bio on the site.
For a limited time only, get all tutorials for only
R199
For a limited time only, get all tutorials for only
R199
Billy’s new book “Introduction to South African Guitar Styles Vol. 1. Five Decades of Ukuvamba 1930s–1980s” is now available for pre-order.
Confused Love,
original composition
Tribute to
Hotstix Mabuse
Billy is officially the First African Guitarist to get a full endorsement from Gibson Guitars.
This exciting & much needed Project, sets out to revive the History and reconnect us with our South African Musical Heritage in order to give birth to a new Soundtrack that will carry us into the Future, as a Nation.
REBOUNCE, Billy Monama’s debut offering, plays like his auto-biography. It tells of various significant landmarks in his life. It is the very soundtrack that underscores the sentiments of places, people, experiences and influences that have shaped Monama’s Life and Music.
Monama strongly believes that in order to have a clearer perception of the Present, in our pursuit of the Future, it is imperative that we meaningfully reflect onto the Past.
We are constantly surrounded by mirrors whose depth reflects where we come from and where the roots of our identity lie. “Why then are we ignoring the sounds of the great Masters?” This is what he asks.
RE-BOUNCE attempts to contribute towards echoing the voices of the Masters and paying tribute to those whose ingredients have added flavour to Billy Monama’s developing Artistry.
