Ladysmith Black Mambazo | |
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 Ladysmith Black Mambazo performing atThe Queen's Birthday Party in 2018 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
| Genres | Isicathamiya,Mbube |
| Years active | 1960–present |
| Labels | |
| Spinoffs | Young Mbazo[1] |
| Members |
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| Past members |
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| Website | www |
Ladysmith Black Mambazo is a South African male choral group singing in the local vocal styles ofisicathamiya andmbube. They became known internationally after singing with AmericanPaul Simon on his 1986 albumGraceland. They have since wonmultiple awards, including fiveGrammy Awards[2] the fifth of which they dedicated to the late former South African PresidentNelson Mandela.[3]
Formed byJoseph Shabalala in 1960, Ladysmith Black Mambazo became one ofSouth Africa's most prolific musical groups. Their releases received gold and platinum disc honours in both South Africa and abroad.[4] The group became a mobile academy of South Africancultural heritage through theirAfrican indigenousisicathamiya music.[3]
The first incarnation of Ladysmith Black Mambazo was "Ezimnyama" ("The Black Ones"), formed byJoseph Shabalala in December 1960. The members of the group were relatives (mostly brothers and cousins) of Shabalala, with many having sung with him while he was growing up on the farm where he was born. Although the group did sing well together and captured the sound ofcothoza mfana ("tiptoe boys", a 1960s slang term forisicathamiya, the traditional music of theZulu people) andmbube groups of the time, they were unknown outside of theLadysmith district.[5]
In 1964, Shabalala had a series ofrecurring dreams during his sleep, over a period of six months, featuring a choir singing in perfect harmony.[6] Shabalala described this as a beautiful sound, and one not yet achieved by his group of the time. As a result, he reformed the group, bringing on board newer (younger) relatives but keeping the group name. He strove to teach them the harmonies from his dreams, creating what was to become a signature tune for the group: "Nomathemba" (a girl's name, meaning "hope"). After deciding that this group well replicated the beautiful, soft sounds from his dreams, Shabalala entered the group into isicathamiya competitions, held on Saturday nights in the halls of hostels inDurban andJohannesburg. The group managed to win nearly every competition that was held. As a result, Shabalala decided to change the name of the group to be more descriptive of its talent. The name "Ezimnyama" was replaced by "Ladysmith Black Mambazo".
The three elements of the new name were the hometown of Shabalala's family,Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal; the blackox, considered to be the strongest farm animal; andmambazo, which means "axe" in theZulu language, and is symbolic of the choir's ability to "chop down" the competition.
Eventually, by the early 1970s, the group was forbidden to compete in the competitions because of their continual success. They were, however, welcome to perform without taking part in the competition itself.[7]
In 1967, the group began to make recordings for theSABC stationRadio Zulu, appearing in DJ Alexius Buthelezi's popularCothoza Mfana programme, which spotlighted the music of several local choirs.[8] Their success was so great that music producers began enticing the group to sign a recording contract. In 1972 the group signed withGallo Record Company under producerWest Nkosi at the organisation's African music division, Mavuthela Music Company (Nkosi was also well known in South Africa as a saxophone jive star). Ladysmith Black Mambazo released their first album the following year,Amabutho, which receivedgold status and was the first album by a black musician or group in South Africa to do so. Their subsequent albums also received gold or platinum certification.[9] With the release of their second album, they had become professional singers.[8]
The group saw many changes; whereas the early line-ups were formed of a few Shabalalas and two (Funokwakhe and Joseph) Mazibukos, the group largely included members unrelated to Joseph.[10] Joseph Shabalala's cousin Mdletshe Albert Mazibuko (the eldest of the six brothers) joined Mambazo in 1969[11] as a tenor voice, with his younger brother Milton as an alto voice. Albert is the longest remaining member of Ladysmith Black Mambazo aside from Joseph Shabalala and has been a full-time member of the group since 1973. After the killing of his brother Milton in 1980,[12] Albert remained in the line-up, by which time his brothers Funokwakhe Mazibuko and Joseph Mazibuko had left Ladysmith Black Mambazo and his youngest brother Abednego had joined.
In 1976, Shabalala converted toChristianity and a host of religious material now entered the group's repertoire. Mambazo's first religious album,Ukukhanya Kwelanga, was released soon afterwards. It earned a double platinum disc award, and the group's repertoire came to be dominated by hymns, mostlyMethodist. Their 1976 LPUkusindiswa became one of their most popular religious albums, selling double gold discs within three weeks of release.[9] By 1981, the group's popularity was such that theapartheid government allowed the members to travel toCologne, Germany as part of a South African folk music festival.[13] The group toured West Germany and appeared on television, and learned some of theGerman language; for the group's 1981 albumPhansi Emgodini, Shabalala composed a song entitled "Wir Grüssen Euch Alle" ("We greet you all"). The following year, the group travelled back to Germany to appear on a televised quiz programme, bringing about requests for more live appearances.[13] A track by the group also appeared on the groundbreaking British compilation albumThe Indestructible Beat of Soweto.
In 1985, Paul Simon travelled to South Africa in the hope of collaborating with African musicians for hisGraceland album. Simon contacted Shabalala and conversed with him in person — after much discussion and excitement, the group travelled toLondon to record with Simon. The first recording was "Homeless" — the music and chorus were composed by Simon, with Shabalala composing the Zulu introduction and main (non-English) body of the song. They also sang on the song "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes" and "You Can Call Me Al". Simon brought the group to New York City to perform onSaturday Night Live and they performed "Diamonds..." prior to the album or song being released.Graceland was released in late 1986, and although both Joseph Shabalala and Paul Simon were accused of breaking thecultural boycott of South Africa,[14] the album became a huge success and sold 16 million copies[15] and further boosted Ladysmith Black Mambazo's international image. This also paved the way for other African acts such asStimela andMahlathini and the Mahotella Queens to gain popularity among Western audiences.[16]
AfterGraceland, Simon acted asproducer for their first album for US release on Warner Brothers Records,Shaka Zulu (1987).Shaka Zulu won the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Folk Recording in 1988. Two more records were recorded for Warner Brothers Records in the US:Journey of Dreams (1988) andTwo Worlds One Heart (1990). On the latter album, the group recorded withThe Winans,Julia Fordham andGeorge Clinton among other then-popular artists.
The success of theGraceland recording and subsequent concert tours led to a strong touring life for the group that continues to this day. Ladysmith Black Mambazo perform concert tours around the world for six or more months every year.
In 1988, Ladysmith Black Mambazo appeared inMichael Jackson's movieMoonwalker, where they performed "The Moon Is Walking" (an abridged version of the song "Lindelani", which appears onJourney of Dreams) over the end credits. Ladysmith Black Mambazo was also featured in theSesame Street song "Put Down the Duckie", as well as "The African Alphabet".
In 1988, Ladysmith Black Mambazo sang "Mbube" during the opening sequence of the Eddie Murphy movieComing to America, but the song was not released on the soundtrack.
In August 1990, Ladysmith Black Mambazo performed together with the Cologne groupBläck Fööss in front of theCologne Cathedral.[17]
On 10 December 1991, Shabalala's brother and one of the bass members in the group,Headman Shabalala, was shot and killed by Sean Nicholas, awhite off-duty security guard.[18][19] Headman's death was followed by the retirement of two members in 1993 and Shabalala recruited three of his sons into the group.
Apartheid legislation was repealed in the early 1990s, and democratic general elections were held in 1994. The release ofNelson Mandela after 27 years imprisonment brought a celebratory album release - 1993'sLiph' Iqiniso. Mandela (shortly after his release from prison) publicly stated that the members of Ladysmith Black Mambazo were "South Africa's cultural ambassadors".[20] At Mandela's request, Ladysmith Black Mambazo accompanied the future President of South Africa to theNobel Peace Prize ceremony inOslo, Norway, in 1993. Mambazo sang again at President Mandela's inauguration in May 1994, and then later at his birthday celebrations.[21]
In 1993 four sons of Joseph Shabalala, Thamsanqa, Msizi, Thulani, and Sibongiseni, who had been in the junior choir Mshengu White Mambazo, moved up to join the group proper.[22]
In 1995 South Africa was the host and eventual winners of theRugby World Cup, in which Ladysmith Black Mambazo collaborated withPJ Powers in recording and performingWorld in Union.[23]
In 1996, the group appeared onDolly Parton's albumTreasures, collaborating with Parton on a cover ofCat Stevens' "Peace Train"; they joined Parton for an appearance on a November 1996 US network television special to perform the song.[24]
In 1997, for a run of UK television advertisements, "Toast for Life", forHeinz soups, baked beans and tomato ketchup, the group recorded an abridged version of "Inkanyezi Nezazi" ("The Star and the Wiseman").[25] The adverts proved so popular that the original studio version (recorded back in 1992) was released as a single and reached No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart.[citation needed] The single was followed up byThe Best of Ladysmith Black Mambazo - The Star and the Wiseman in 1998,[26] a compilation release that became so popular it was certified triple platinum, selling 1 million copies in Britain alone.[27] The Heinz campaign led to a reawakening of the group in Britain, and many television and radio performances beckoned over the next few years, as well as performing for theBritish royal family.[citation needed] In 1999, the group collaborated with Irish pop groupB*Witched on their single "I Shall Be There", which hit No. 13 on the UK Singles Chart. In 2001, the group was referenced in theFamily Guy episode "Lethal Weapons".[citation needed]
A film documentary about Ladysmith Black Mambazo,On Tiptoe: Gentle Steps to Freedom, was released in 2000.[28] The film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary (Short Subject) in 2001, but lost out to "Big Mama".[citation needed] The movie was presented the Best Short Documentary award by the 2001 International Documentary Association.[citation needed]
The group began preparations forWenyukela, an album of new material, in 2002. However, the making of the record underwent severe strain when, in May 2002, Shabalala's wife of 30 years (and lead singer in the allied group "Women of Mambazo"),Nellie, was murdered in a church car park by a masked gunman. Shabalala's hand was injured trying to protect his wife.[29] Joseph's son Vivian Nkosinathi was accused of hiring ahitman to murder his stepmother Nellie. During the court trial, Nkosinathi supposedly testified that the South African police offered some kind of reprieve if he would implicate his own father, Joseph, in the murder.[30]Wenyukela, however, went ahead, as Shabalala began to recover.
Wenyukela was a success in South Africa, prompting its release in Britain in March 2003 onWrasse Records. Following the repeated success of the album, the American-basedHeads Up International released the album in January 2004 and it garnered the group their secondGrammy Award.
Joseph's brother Ben Shabalala, a former member of the group who had retired in 1993 after the death of Headman, was killed in a Durban suburb in June 2004.[12][31]
The group is referenced in the 2004 filmMean Girls whenLindsay Lohan's character chooses not to accompany her parents to a Ladysmith Black Mambazo concert.
Long Walk to Freedom, a celebration of 45 years of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, was released by the group in January 2006. On the album the group recorded with a multitude of artists includingZap Mama,Sarah McLachlan,Melissa Etheridge,Joe McBride,Natalie Merchant,Emmylou Harris, andTaj Mahal as well as South African musiciansLucky Dube,Phuzekhemisi,Bhekumuzi Luthuli,Nokukhanya,Thandiswa,Vusi Mahlasela andHugh Masekela.The release garnered the group their 13th Grammy Award nomination. Though it did not win the Grammy Award it showed the group's creative powers were still being recognised.
In April 2006, Mambazo collaborated withJosh Groban for his third studio album,Awake. The songs, "Weeping" and "Lullaby", featured a clear South African influence; lines from a Mambazo song, "Wangibambezela" ("Message from his Heart") were added to the backing track of "Weeping". Following this, in August 2006, Mambazo began working withMavis Staples in a collaboration for Staples's new album.[32] The television programSaturday Night Live featured the group in aTV Funhouse sketch, hosted byDennis Haysbert, about failed Saturday morning cartoons starring black cartoon characters, one of which was a cartoon featuring the group, calledLadysmith Black Mambazo in Outer Space. Members of the group added commentary to the short for the DVD release of the SNL specialThe Best of TV Funhouse.[33]
On 17 October 2006,[34] Ladysmith Black Mambazo performed a sold-out concert, at New York's famed Carnegie Hall, billed asLong Walk to Freedom: An Evening with Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Friends. The night included special guest appearances bySarah McLachlan,Natalie Merchant,Mahotella Queens,Vusi Mahlasela, andPete Seeger. The concert was recorded but due to venue restrictions is not being allowed to be released.
Their 2007 CD,Ilembe, was released in South Africa on 26 February 2007 and worldwide on 22 January 2008, under the titleIlembe: Honoring Shaka Zulu, on Heads Up International.
There had been many questions on when founder, director, composer, and lead singer Joseph Shabalala would finally retire from his group. On 23 January 2008, Shabalala issued a statement on this.[35]
The full statement is reproduced below:
In the early 1960s I had a dream of a type of singing group that I wanted to create. Not just a dream, in the wishful way, but an actual dream while I was asleep. This beautiful dream led to the creation of my group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Now, some forty five plus years later this original dream has led to so many more dreams. We have been awarded Grammy Awards, represented our homeland of South Africa at many prestigious events, including accompanying Nelson Mandela to Norway to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, traveled the world so many times and most importantly, spread a message of Peace, Love and Harmony to millions of people.
This was never a dream a black South African could ever imagine.
As the years have passed, and the 20th century became the 21st, I started to get asked what will happen to Ladysmith Black Mambazo once I retired, if I ever retired. Well, I have spent much time thinking about this. Ladysmith Black Mambazo was never about one person. Ladysmith Black Mambazo is a mission. A mission to spread our message and to keep our culture alive and known. South Africa is a most wonderful place, filled with beautiful people. By touring, as we have, almost seven months every year for over twenty years, we have wanted to keep South Africa alive in people's hearts.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo is a family. Within the group I have had brothers and cousins singing together. Over the past fifteen years, because of retirements and death, I have been joined by four of my sons. They are the future of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, our next generation. The mission and message will continue. When the time comes for me to finish touring and to stay home they will carry on my dream. As well, my son Thamsanqa (Tommy) will become the new leader of the group. Thus, the dream I had over forty five years ago will continue well into the 21st century. Ladysmith Black Mambazo must continue as the message of Peace, Love and Harmony never must be silenced. We never will be silenced and we hope our fans and friends around the world will keep wanting to hear this message.
Ngiyabonga! Thank you!
— Joseph Shabalala, 23 January 2008
Ladysmith Black Mambazo's 2007 release,Ilembe: Honoring Shaka Zulu, garnered success around the world. In 2008 the group won theSAMA Award forBest Traditional A Cappella Album forIlembe and in 2009 won the Grammy Award forBest Traditional World Music Album, marking their third Grammy Award.
In January 2011 the group released a recording of original songs,Songs from a Zulu Farm.[36] It received some of the best reviews the group had ever known, landing in the top five of most "Best World Music Releases" for 2011.[citation needed] It was nominated for a Grammy Award but did not win.[citation needed] It was also nominated for the Best Album of 2011 at the South African Music Awards.[citation needed]
In January 2013 the group released a new album,Live: Singing for Peace Around the World, which was dedicated to South African icon and former President Nelson Mandela.[37] On 6 December 2013 it was announced that the album had been nominated by the Grammy Awards for Best World Music CD. This announcement came the day after the passing of Mandela. On 26 January 2014, the Grammy Awards announced it had won Best World Music CD for 2013. This was the fourth Grammy Award for the group and third since 2004.[citation needed] As well, in January 2014, Ladysmith releasedAlways With Us, as a tribute toJoseph Shabalala's deceased wife. They are also currently recording a CD of American gospel songs, which will have a well known American singer joining them on the CD. They are also recording a follow-up recording to their recent Grammy-winning CD, to be calledSongs of Peace & Love for Kids & Parents Around the World.[citation needed]
Ladysmith Black Mambazo was featured on the trackLift Me Up, along with Norwegian duoNico & Vinz, onDavid Guetta's 2014 albumListen. Other features in 2016 include a vocal appearance on "Facing a Task Unfinished" byKeith and Kristyn Getty, "Wake Up" byJennifer Saran, andVian Izak's single "Brink of Love".[38][39]
In January 1999, Joseph Shabalala founded "The Ladysmith Black Mambazo Foundation". The aim of the organisation is to teach youngZulu South African children about their traditional culture and music,isicathamiya. Today, the Mambazo Academy is currently being built, with plans for a rehearsal hall, teaching areas and a professional recording studio. The main aim is to promote and teach the history ofisicathamiya music to young people.
| Year | Award | Category | Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | SARIE Award | Best Choral Group on Disc | |
| 1988 | Grammy Award | Best Traditional Folk Recording | Shaka Zulu |
| 1993 | Drama Desk Award | Outstanding Music in a Play | The Song of Jacob Zulu (stage) |
| 1997 | SAMA Award | Best Zulu Music Album | Ukuzala-Ukuzelula |
| 1997 | SAMA Award | Best Duo or Group Award | Ukuzala-Ukuzelula |
| 2001 | SAMA Award | Best Zulu Music Album | Lihl' Ixhiba Likagogo |
| 2004 | Grammy Award | Best Traditional World Music Album | Raise Your Spirit Higher |
| 2008 | SAMA Award | Best Traditional A Cappella Album | Ilembe |
| 2009 | Grammy Award | Best Traditional World Music Album | Ilembe: Honoring Shaka Zulu |
| 2013 | Grammy Award | Best World Music Album | Live: Singing for Peace Around the World |
| 2014 | SAMA Award | International achievement award[40] | |
| 2018 | Grammy Award | Best World Music Album | Shaka Zulu Revisited: 30th Anniversary Celebration |
| Year | Award | Category | Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Grammy Award | Best Traditional Folk Recording | Journey of Dreams[41] |
| 1991 | Grammy Award | Best Recording For Children | How the Leopard Got His Spots |
| 1991 | Grammy Award | Best Traditional Folk Recording | Classic Tracks |
| 1995 | Grammy Award | Best Traditional Folk Album | Liph' Iqiniso' |
| 1996 | Grammy Award | Best Traditional Folk Album | Thuthukani Ngoxolo |
| 1999 | Grammy Award | Best Traditional Folk Album | Live at the Royal Albert Hall |
| 2001 | Academy Award | Best Short Documentary Film | On Tiptoe: Gentle Steps to Freedom |
| 2006 | Grammy Award | Best Contemporary World Music Album | No Boundaries |
| 2007 | Grammy Award | Best Contemporary World Music Album | Long Walk to Freedom |
| 2012 | Grammy Award | Best World Music Album | Songs From a Zulu Farm |
| 2016 | Grammy Award | Best World Music Album | Music From Inala |
| 2017 | Grammy Award | Best World Music Album | Walking in the Footsteps of Our Fathers |
| 2018 | Grammy Award | Best Children's Album | Songs Of Peace & Love For Kids & Parents Around The World |
After the release of the group's first album,Amabutho, in 1973, they were banned from competing in theisicathamiya competitions because of their ability to win many of the competitions.[42] They were, however, welcome to perform for the audience. Following this, the group started performing for their own audiences in shows that were specially made and, soon afterwards, the group began touring around South Africa in their own concerts, but due to theApartheid system in use, they were often stopped by police guards; on some of these occasions they were even made to lie down on the ground whilst being searched. Shortly afterwards, they were allowed to tour withoutpermits.
By 1986, the group had a very small number of white fans in South Africa; the majority of their fan base was black people (the group mainly toured in townships). AfterPaul Simon included the group on his "Graceland Tour of 1987", the group began touring by themselves and became very widely known.
The group has been recognised[who?] as the most successful world music artists and have a healthy touring schedule. When asked if the group has any plans to stop their travelling, of over six months each year, the response has always been "Not as long as the people of the world want to hear our music. We are the traveling musical academy for South African culture and it is our responsibility to continue on this journey."[citation needed]
Initially, the group comprised Joseph Shabalala, his brothersHeadman and Enoch, cousinsAlbert, Milton, Funokwakhe, Abednego, and Joseph Mazibuko, as well as close friends Matovoti Msimanga and Walter Malinga. Altogether, the group has had more than 30 different members at one point or another over the past 45 years.[43] However, since 1993 there have only been two membership changes due to retirements.
The members of the group currently reside in or nearPinetown, just outside the coastal city ofDurban inKwaZulu-Natal. The chorus' members are Joseph Shabalala's sons Thamsanqa,Msizi, Thulani, and Sibongiseni; cousins Albert and Abednego Mazibuko; and close friendsRussel Mthembu andNgane Dlamini.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo recorded for the first time in 1973 on theGallo label in South Africa. Since then the group has recorded over 50 albums, many of which have received gold- and/or platinum-disc certification.
Mit der südafrikanischen Gruppe „Ladysmith Black Mambazo" traten die Bläck Fööss 1990 beim WDR-Folkfestival auf dem Roncalliplatz auf.
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