Award winning South African R&B singer TK (real name Tsakani Mhinga) was found dead on Monday (Feb. 27) at a hotel in Johannesburg’s Randburg suburb. The singer-songwriter was 27.
A post-mortem is being conducted and the South African Police Service is investigating the death. SAPS Captain Schalk Bornman says there was “no evidence of a struggle.”
Mhinga began her recording career at EMI South Africa with the album “TKO,” which earned the singer a SA Music Award in 2001 for best R&B album. She subsequently signed to independent record company Electromode Music, with whom she recorded “Eject Yo Ass” in 2002 and “Black Butterfly” the following year. Both records won SAMAs for best R&B album.
An outstanding live performer, Mhinga shared the stage in her native country with the likes of Beyonce, Kelly Rowland and Foxy Brown.
Billboard.biz understands that Electromode is planning to release a retrospective album to commemorate the singer’s career. She was midway through recording a follow-up to “Black Butterfly” at the time of her death.
A memorial service is due to be held Friday (March 3) in Johannesburg, a day before the artist’s funeral.
Mhinga leaves a young son, Oratile.
