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Ladysmith Black Mambazo

Biography

Ladysmith Black Mambazo is a South African male choral group singing in the local vocal styles of isicathamiya and mbube. They became known internationally after singing with Paul Simon on his 1986 album Graceland, and have won multiple awards, including five Grammy Awards,[1] dedicating their fifth Grammy to the late former President Nelson Mandela.[2] Formed by Joseph Shabalala in 1960, Ladysmith Black Mambazo became one of South Africa’s most prolific recording artists, with their releases receiving gold and platinum disc honours.[3] The group became a mobile academy[4] of South African cultural heritage through their African indigenous isicathamiya music.[2] Joseph Shabalala formed Ladysmith Black Mambazo because of a series of dreams he had in 1964, in which he heard certain isicathamiya harmonies (isicathamiya being the traditional music of the Zulu people). Following their local success at wedding ceremonies and other gatherings, Shabalala entered them into isicathamiya competitions. The group was described as ‘so good’ that they were eventually forbidden to enter the competitions, but welcomed to entertain at them.[5] Although they had been recognised as an isicathamiya group in 1964, they had been singing together since the early 1950s. They released their first album, Amabutho, in 1973. The album, along with many other releases by the group, received gold disc certification.[6] Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s collaboration with Paul Simon in 1986 paved the way for international releases.

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They became known internationally after singing with Paul Simon on his 1986 album Graceland, and have won multiple awards, including five Grammy Awards, dedicating their fifth Grammy to the late former President Nelson Mandela.

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Ladysmith Black Mambazo

Biography

News / Ranking / Titbits / Awards

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