Joe Blog

Untitled Basement is honoured to welcome one of the most distinctive and beloved voices in global house and jazz culture. For the first time ever, the incomparable Monique Bingham will grace our bandstand — marking a defining moment in our venue’s story and a rare chance to experience an artist whose work has shaped the soundtrack of the last 2+ decades.

Monique Bingham’s illustrious career spans more than 20 years of deeply soulful, jazz-infused house music that has resonated across continents. Her journey began in 1995 as the lead vocalist of the horn-heavy, “acid-jazz” ensemble Abstract Truth, whose members carried legacies from Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Sun Ra and other jazz greats. Their debut single “Get Another Plan”, recorded at François K’s iconic Axis Studios, earned international acclaim after being championed by Gilles Peterson’s Talkin’ Loud imprint in 1996.The follow-up, “We Had a Thing” (1998), became an undeniable classic — propelled by Matthias Heilbronn’s infectious remix and its now-legendary presence on DJ Fresh’s House Flava compilation in 2000.

From there, Monique’s unmistakable pen — known for its emotional depth, intricate lyricism and left-of-centre melodic sensibility — attracted the admiration of the world’s most respected house producers, including Kerri Chandler, Jellybean Benitez, Karizma and Ralf GUM.In 2011, she launched her own label, Bigga Sounds, releasing the self-produced single “You.Me.World” — the same year she made her South African debut at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival alongside Wayne Shorter, Esperanza Spalding and Earth, Wind & Fire.Her 2012 hit “Take Me to My Love” with Ralf GUM became a major crossover success, cementing her enduring connection with South African audiences. By 2013, Monique became the first non-South African artist to perform live at the Metro FM Awards, and her stirring collaboration with the late Hugh Masekela, “With Her Hand”, solidified her place on major festival stages across the region.Now, as she continues to celebrate more than two decades of groundbreaking artistry, we welcome Monique Bingham to Untitled Basement for an intimate, unforgettable performance.Join us as we honour a living legend — a poet of the dance floor, a storyteller of profound soul, and a voice that continues to define generations.