The New Academics' debut album, "City of Strange" (2006,) marked their emergence in South African music, earning a 2008 South African Music Award nomination for Best Alternative Album. With an eclectic mix of Afrobeat, jazz, hard rock, funk, and hints of hip-hop, it showcased their genre-defying style.

New Academics is a South African quartet band formed in 2004 by vocalist Joe Penn and guitarist David Baudains.

New Academics

New Academics is a high-energy quartet band hailing from South Africa.

Initially formed in Cape Town in 2004 by vocalist Joe Penn and guitarist David Baudains, the band relocated to Johannesburg shortly thereafter, where they quickly gained a reputation for their energetic and passionate live performances across the country.

The band's eclectic sound fuses elements of hip-hop, dance music, and rock, and they have released two critically acclaimed albums, City of Strange and The Apple, both of which received South African Music Award nominations.

After a hiatus in 2010, the band returned in late 2014 with the line-up of Joe Penn (vocals), David Baudains (guitar), Rob Storm (drums), and Jacques du Plessis (bass) who left in 2018.

Their third studio album, Growler Front, released in March 2016, pushes the sonic boundaries with gritty hooks and themes that represent a natural progression for the band.

New Academics remains a dynamic and talented band.