Ladysmith Black Mambazo
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{{Infobox_band
| band_name = Ladysmith Black Mambazo
| image = Image:Ladysmith1.jpg
| caption =
| current_members =Joseph Shabalala
Sibongiseni Shabalala
Thamsanqa Shabalala
Thulani Shabalala
Msizi Shabalala
Albert Mazibuko
Abednego Mazibuko
Russel Mthembu
|
| past_members =Jockey Shabalala
Jabulani Dubazana
Inos Phungula
Ben Shabalala
Geophrey Mdletshe
Headman Shabalala
Milton Mazibuko
Funokwakhe Mazibuko
Joseph Mazibuko
Walter Malinga
Matovoti Msimanga
|years_active = 1960 - 1964 (original group)
1964 - present (current incarnation)
| music_genre = Isicathamiya, Mbube
| record_label = Gallo Record Company
Headsup International
}}
Ladysmith Black Mambazo is a chorus from South Africa that is noted for singing a cappella isicathamiya and mbube music. They rose to worldwide prominence as a result of singing with Paul Simon on his album, Graceland.
Contents |
History
Ladysmith Black Mambazo was formed as a result of a dream that Joseph Shabalala had in 1964, in which he heard particular harmonies. He recruited friends and family to form the group, and taught them the harmonies he had heard. The group entered and won many singing contests. They were so good that they were eventually forbidden to enter the competitions but were welcomed to entertain at them. Although they had been recognised as an isicathamiya group in 1964, they had been singing together since the early 1950s. The group has become a mobile academy, teaching people about South Africa and its culture.
1960-1964
Joseph formed the first incarnation of a group that is now known as Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Ezimnyama Ngenkani (The Black Ones) was formed in December 1960 and Joseph began teaching them various harmonies. The members of the group were relatives (mostly brothers and cousins) of Joseph, with many having sung with Joseph whilst he was growing up on the farm where he was born. Although the group did sing well together and captured the sound of the leading isicathamiya (and mbube) groups of the time, they were, for the most part, unknown outside of Ladysmith.
1964-1986
Forming Ladysmith Black Mambazo
In late 1964, Joseph had a series of dreams (whilst he was asleep) that spanned over six months, in which he saw a choir of singers, singing in perfect harmony. Whilst his current group had not achieved this sound, Joseph reformed the group as Ladysmith Black Mambazo and taught them the harmonies from his dream.
The name of the group is derived in the following manner:
- "Ladysmith" is the hometown of the Shabalala family
- "Black" refers to the black ox, considered to be the strongest on the farm
- "Mambazo" means axe in the Zulu language; symbolic of the group's ability to "chop down" the other competition
Joseph entered the group into isicathamiya competitions, which were held on Saturday nights in the cities of areas like Durban and Johannesburg. The group became so good and won nearly every competition that was held; eventually in 1973, by which time the group had become professional, they were allowed to perform, but forbidden to compete with the other choirs.
The first recordings
In 1967, they began to make recordings over the radio for Radio Zulu, and popular demand by fans and followers brought about a recording contract by West Nkosi, a member of Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens instrumental section and a music producer at Gallo Record Company, in 1972. Joseph accepted, and the group released their first album the following year; Amabutho, received gold status (the first album by a black musician in South Africa to do so). The albums that followed also received gold and even platinum disc certification.
In 1975, Joseph converted to Christianity and the group released their first religious release, Ukukhanya Kwelanga. The album sold well enough for it to earn a double platinum disc award, and the songs in the Mambazo repertoire were shuffled to one side to include many Christian and Methodist (amongs others) hymns. One of the most popular of these releases was Ukusindiswa, which has since been re-released. By 1981, the group had become famous throughout South Africa, and was allowed to travel abroad to Cologne, Germany. The group toured and appeared on television, and also learned some of the German language; their 1981 release Phansi Emgodini included the group singing in German on the track Wir Grüssen Euch Alle.
1986-2003
Worldwide fame
In 1986, Paul Simon travelled to South Africa in the hope of collaborating with black musicians for his Graceland album. Simon then asked the group to work with him on the album, and so they travelled to London to record tracks for the recording; the first, Homeless, was composed by Shabalala (with English - and other - lyrics by Simon), and has now become synonymous with the group. Although both Joseph Shabalala and Paul Simon were accused of breaking the cultural boycott of South Africa, the album was a success and introduced Ladysmith Black Mambazo into the international arena.
After Graceland, Simon acted as producer on three records for the group aimed at the American market (Shaka Zulu, Journey of Dreams and Two Worlds, One Heart). On the latter album, they recorded with performers such as The Winans, Julia Fordham, George Clinton, among others. But despite this success, tragedy occurred in 1991: on the night of December 10, Joseph's brother and one of the members in the group, Headman Shabalala, was shot and killed by Sean Nicholas, a white off-duty security guard. His death was considered to be a racial killing, and Joseph stopped singing. But eventually, helped by his beliefs, Joseph returned to the group and recruited four of his six sons into the group (following the retirement of another three members; see Membership for details).
The Post-Apartheid Era
The abolition of Apartheid in South Africa and the election of the first black president, Nelson Mandela, brought about the group's first release since 1991; Liph' Iqiniso was, all in all, a celebration of the end of Apartheid.
In 1993, at the request of Nelson Mandela, Black Mambazo accompanied the future President of South Africa to the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo, Norway. Mambazo sang again at President Mandela's inauguration in May 1994.
In 1998, the group recorded a special version of Inkanyezi Nezazi (The Star and the Wiseman) for a series of advertisements in Britain for Heinz. The adverts proved so popular that the group released the original 1992 version as a single; this was followed up by a Best of... release which was certified triple platinum, selling 1 million copies in Britain alone. The single reached #2 in the UK Pop Charts. They have since traveled the world and have recorded with performers such as Stevie Wonder, Dolly Parton, The Winans, Julia Fordham, George Clinton, B*Witched, The Corrs, Ben Harper and many more and performing for Nelson Mandela, Pope John Paul II and the British royal family among many others.
The Ladysmith Black Mambazo Foundation
For more information, see Ladysmith Black Mambazo Foundation.
In January 1999, Joseph Shabalala founded The Ladysmith Black Mambazo Foundation. The aim of the organisation is to teach young Zulu 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, of course, is to promote and teach the history of isicathamiya music to youngsters.
Raise Your Spirit Higher
Tragedy has returned, however, with the killing of Joseph's wife Nellie, in May 2002; Joseph was injured in the hand when trying to protect her. The killing occurred during the recording of the group's album Wenyukela; because of this, the album had a solemn and poignant touch to it. Many songs had a moral theme to them, such as Wenza Ngani? (How Did You Do That?), which spoke of racism between black and white people; Fak' Ibhande (Don't Drink and Drive), which warned of the dangers of drinking alcohol and driving; and the title track, which spoke of the resurrection of Jesus and how South Africans were nearly misled into killing each other during the 1994 elections.
2003-present
Long Walk to Freedom
The success of Wenyukela in South Africa prompted its release in the UK in March 2003, and the album also did very well in the US. The group has since released two more albums on the same label, Headsup International. The group's 2005 release, No Boundaries, was a collaboration between the group and the English Chamber Orchestra. Despite initial worry about European and Zulu traditions, the album did sell very well. On their latest release, Long Walk to Freedom, the group has recorded with artists from both the US and South Africa: Zap Mama, Sarah McLachlan, Melissa Etheridge, Joe McBride, Natalie Merchant, Emmylou Harris, Taj Mahal, Lucky Dube, Phuzekhemisi, Bhekumuzi Luthuli, Nokukhanya, Thandiswa, Vusi Mahlasela and Hugh Masekela. To support the promotion of the album and their new tour, Mambazo appeared on various television and radio programmes throughout January and February 2006. The group has also started a street team; this is currently exclusive to fans in the US and Canada [1].
Awards and Nominations
Ladysmith Black Mambazo, like many other artists, have been acknowledged in such prestigious award ceremonies like the Grammy Awards and Academy Awards. In 1988, the group received their first Grammy Award for the album Shaka Zulu, which was their first US release. Since then, they have won one more, and have been nominated eight additional times.
| Awards | |||
| 1981 | S.A.R.I.E. Award | Best Choral Group on Disc | |
| 1988 | Grammy Award | Best Traditional Folk Recording | Shaka Zulu |
| 1993 | Drama Desk Award | Best Original Music Score | The Song of Jacob Zulu (stage) |
| 1996 | Drama Desk Award | Best Original Music Score | Nomathemba (stage) |
| 1997 | S.A.M.A. Award | Best Zulu Music Album | Ukuzala-Ukuzelula |
| 1997 | S.A.M.A. Award | Best Duo or Group Award | Ukuzala-Ukuzelula |
| 2001 | S.A.M.A. Award | Best Zulu Music Album | Lihl' Ixhiba Likagogo |
| 2005 | Grammy Award | Best Traditional World Music Album | Raise Your Spirit Higher |
| Nominations | |||
| 1991 | Grammy Award | Best Traditional World Music Album | Classic Tracks |
| 1993 | Grammy Award | Best Traditional World Music Album | Best of - Vol. 1 |
| 1995 | Grammy Award | Best Traditional World Music Album | Liph' Iqiniso |
| 1995 | Grammy Award | Best Traditional World Music Album | Gift of the Tortoise |
| 1996 | Grammy Award | Best Traditional World Music Album | Thuthukani Ngoxolo |
| 1998 | Grammy Award | Best Contemporary World Music Album | Heavenly |
| 1999 | Grammy Award | Best Traditional World Music Album | Live at the Royal Albert Hall |
| 2001 | Academy Award | Best Short Documentary Film | On Tiptoe: Gentle Steps to Freedom |
| 2002 | Emmy Award | Best Cultural Documentary | On Tiptoe: Gentle Steps to Freedom |
| 2006 | Grammy Award | Best Contemporary World Music Album | No Boundaries |
Touring
The competitions and the first Mambazo concerts
Image:J Shabalala, on stage.jpg After the release of the group's first album in 1973, they were banned from competing in the isicathamiya competitions because of their ability to win almost each competition. 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 were stopped by police guards on many occasions; on some of these they were even made to lie down on the ground whilst being searched. Shortly afterwards, they were allowed to tour without permits.
The Graceland success and today
By 1986, the group had a very small number of white fans in South Africa; the majority of their fanbase was comprised of black people (the group mainly toured in townships). After Paul Simon included the group on his Graceland Tour of 1987, the group began touring by themselves and became very widely popular. They have visited Europe, USA, and Asia, amongst others. The group is quite possibly more well-known in the USA (due to the Graceland success and various advert campaigns for 7-Up and LifeSavers candy) and the UK (again, because of the Graceland success, and several successful advertisements for Heinz).
The group usually tours for three months before returning to South Africa (usually during the Christmas holiday). Altogether, the tours span nine to ten months each year. The group is currently at the end of their recent four-month US tour; they will return to the UK for a 30-date tour starting May 5 through to June 10, with the Mbaqanga trio Mahotella Queens as their support act; following from that, they will tour the summer with concerts in the US, Australia and New Zealand - two of the US concerts will include support act Sweet Honey in the Rock.
Membership
Initially, the group was formed of Joseph Shabalala, his brothers Headman and Enoch, cousins Albert, Milton, Funokwakhe, Abednego and Joseph Mazibuko as well as close friends Matovoti Msimanga and Walter Malinga. Altogether, the group has had 30 different members at one point or another over the past forty-five years. However, through it all, founder Joseph Shabalala continues to lead the group in the recording studio and on stage.
Even though the early line-ups of the group contained a large amount of relatives from Shabalala's family (and, from 1969, his cousins from the Mazibuko family), most of the members that arrived in the group after the mid-1970's were recruited for their professional qualities. After alto voice Milton Mazibuko was tragically killed in 1980, the group spent quite a few months 'off', until returning the following year with two new members, Inos Phungula and Geophrey Mdletshe. After Joseph's younger brother Headman was brutally murdered on December 10, 1991 (and the departure of Phungula, Mdletshe and Ben Shabalala - who was also sadly killed in 2004), the group stopped singing for a while before Joseph recruited four of his six sons. In the 1970's, the group's original six members had been joined by many other men (most of whom only stayed with them for the recording sessions). Joseph Shabalala's sons joined the group in 1993, moving up from Ladysmith Black Mambazo's junior choir, Mshengu White Mambazo.
The members of the group currently reside in Kloof, just outside of the coastal city of Durban in KwaZulu-Natal - though due to their heavy work schedule and appearances, the group only spends a few weeks at home (usually during the Christmas - and other - seasons). The chorus' members are Joseph Shabalala; his sons Msizi, Thulani, Thamsanqa, and Sibongiseni; cousins Albert and Abednego Mazibuko; and close friend Russel Mthembu. Jabulani Dubazana, a member of the group since 1975, retired from international touring in September 2004. Long-time member Jockey Shabalala tragically died at his home in Ladysmith, South Africa on February 11, 2006 from various ailments at the age of 62, having been a member of his brother's group for almost forty years.
Discography
| Unkanka Odla Amacembe | S.A.B.C. (LT 14319, 14320, 14351, 14352) | 1966 |
| Amabutho | Gallo (Motella BL 14) | 1973 |
| Imbongi | Gallo (Motella BL 18) | 1973 |
| Umama Lo! | Gallo (Motella BL 23) | 1974 |
| Isitimela | Gallo (Motella BL 27) | 1974 |
| Ukukhanya Kwelanga | Gallo (Motella BL 35) | 1975 |
| Amaqhawe | Gallo (Motella BL 81) | 1976 |
| Ukusindiswa | Gallo (Motella BL 86) | 1977 |
| Shintsha Sithothobala | Gallo (Motella BL 91) | 1977 |
| Phezulu Emafini | Gallo (Motella BL 92) | 1977 |
| Ushaka | Gallo (Ezomdabu BL 129) | 1978 |
| Indlela yaseZulwini | Gallo (Ezomdabu BL 153) | 1978 |
| Ezinkulu | Gallo (Ezomdabu BL 186) | 1979 |
| Intokozo | Gallo (Ezomdabu BL 205) | 1980 |
| Nqonqotha Mfana | Gallo (Ezomdabu BL 253) | 1980 |
| Ulwandle Olungcwele | Gallo (Ezomdabu BL 300) | 1981 |
| Cologne Zulu Festival | Network (5????) | 1981 |
| Phansi Emgodini | Gallo (Ezomdabu BL 321) | 1981 |
| Umthombo Wamanzi | Gallo (Ezomdabu BL 353) | 1982 |
| Induku Zethu | Gallo (Ezomdabu BL 393) | 1983 |
| Ibhayibheli Liyindlela | Gallo (Ezomdabu BL 472) | 1984 |
| Inkazimulo | Gallo (Ezomdabu BL 504) | 1985 |
| Inala | Gallo (Ezomdabu BL 531) | 1985 |
| Ezulwini Siyakhona | Gallo (Ezomdabu BL 548) | 1986 |
| Kuyakhanya Madoda | Gallo (Ezomdabu-Gallo XWI123a) | 1986 |
| Mabahambe Abathakathi | Gallo (Ezomdabu-Gallo XWI123b) | 1986 |
| Shaka Zulu | Warner Bros (1-25582) | 1987 |
| Thandani | Gallo (Ezomdabu BL 613) | 1987 |
| Inala (Reissue) | Shanachie (SH 430??) | 1987 |
| Induku Zethu (Reissue) | Shanachie (SH 43021) | 1987 |
| Ulwandle Olungcwele (Reissue) | Shanachie (SH 43030) | 1987 |
| Umthombo Wamanzi (Reissue) | Shanachie (SH 430??) | 1987 |
| Zibuyinhlazane | Gallo (Ezomdabu HUL40131) | 1988 |
| Journey Of Dreams | Warner Bros (1-25753) | 1988 |
| Isigqi Zendoda | Gallo (HUL40203/CDGMP40203) | 1990 |
| Two Worlds, One Heart | Warner Bros (1-26125) | 1990 |
| Favourites | Gallo (HUL40300/CDGMP40300) | 1991 |
| Classic Tracks | Shanachie (SH 43074) | 1992 |
| The Best Of (Vol. 1) | Shanachie (SH 43098) | 1992 |
| Liph’ Iqiniso | Gallo (CDGMP40392) | 1993 |
| Gift Of The Tortoise | Gallo (CDGMP40451) | 1994 |
| Zulu Hits Vol. 1 | Gallo (CDGMP40616) | 1995 |
| Gospel Hits Vol. 2 | Gallo (CDGMP40617) | 1995 |
| Shosholoza (with the team Shosholoza) | Gallo (CDSING18) | 1995 |
| Thuthukani Ngoxolo | Gallo (CDGMP40641) | 1996 |
| Ukuzala-Ukuzelula (with the Mahubo Nesigekle Ladies Choir) | Gallo (CDGMP40691) | 1995 |
| Heavenly | Gallo (CDGMP40697) | 1997 |
| Heavenly | UMTV (540 790 2) | 1997 |
| Very Best Of – Spirit Of South Africa | Nascente (NSCD 021) | 1998 |
| Best Of – The Star and the Wiseman | UMTV (568 988 2) | 1998 |
| Best Of – The Star and the Wiseman | Gallo (CDESP020) | 1998 |
| Inala (Reissue) | Wrasse (WRASS001) | 1999 |
| Thuthukani Ngoxolo (Reissue) | Wrasse (WRASS002) | 1999 |
| Zibuyinhlazane (Reissue) | Wrasse (WRASS003) | 1999 |
| Liph' Iqiniso (Reissue) | Wrasse (WRASS004) | 1999 |
| Gospel Songs | Wrasse (WRASS005) | 2000 |
| Live at the Royal Albert Hall (DVD/VHS) | Shanachie (SH DV-108) | 1999 |
| Live at the Royal Albert Hall | Shanachie (SH 66023) | 1999 |
| In Harmony | Wrasse/UMTV (153739-2) | 1999 |
| In Harmony - Live at the Royal Albert Hall | Wrasse/UMTV (WRASV001) | 1999 |
| Lihl’ Ixhiba Likagogo | Gallo (CDGMP 40830) | 2000 |
| Thandani/Umthombo Wamanzi | Gallo From the Archives (CDGSP3007) | 2001 |
| Favourites (Reissue, different tracks) | Wrasse (WRASS017) | 2001 |
| The Ultimate Collection (UK only) | Wrasse/UMTV (556 682 2) | 2001 |
| Congratulations South Africa - The Ultimate Collection (International) | Wrasse/UMTV (WRASS037) | 2001 |
| Friends In Concert (featuring Lucky Dube, Jabu Khanyile) | Gallo (GWVCD 042) | 2002 |
| Ukusindiswa/Umthombo Wamanzi | Gallo From the Archives (CDGSP3012) | 2002 |
| Chillout Sessions | Wrasse (WRASS067) | 2002 |
| Wenyukela | Gallo (CDGMP 40892) | 2003 |
| Raise Your Spirit Higher - Wenyukela | Wrasse (WRASS100) | 2003 |
| Raise Your Spirit Higher: Wenyukela | Headsup (HUCD 3082, HUSA 9082) | 2004 |
| The Very Best of - Rain, Rain Beautiful Rain | Wrasse (WRASS132) | 2004 |
| No Boundaries (with the strings of the English Chamber Orchestra) | Headsup/Gallo (GWVCD 060) | 2004 |
| No Boundaries (with the strings of the English Chamber Orchestra) | Headsup/Gallo (HUCD 3092, HUSA 9092) | 2005 |
| Live at Montreux | Eagle/Red (EE 39023 2) | 2005 |
| Live at Montreux (DVD) | Eagle/Red (EREDV382) | 2005 |
| Long Walk to Freedom | Headsup (HUCD 3109, HUSA 9109) | 2006 |
| Long Walk to Freedom (South African release) (South Africa only) | Gallo (CDGMP 40952) | 2006 |
- Catalogue numbers in bold represent Hybrid SACD and/or enhanced versions
Trivia
Ladysmith Black Mambazo has lent their vocals to various advertising campaigns:
- A LifeSavers candy commercial, which aired in the US in the mid-1990's
- A series of commercials for IBM, which aired in the US in 1996
- A successful series of commercials for Heinz, which aired in the UK from 1997-1999
On the March 4, 2006 episode of Saturday Night Live, a Robert Smigel cartoon featured Dennis Haysbert hosting "Belated Black History Moments," where he reminisced on black cartoon TV shows. One of those shows was called Ladysmith Black Mambazo in Outer Space (which was accompanied by "Token Power" and "The Hoke and Daisy Show")
Related artists and groups
Zulu
- Zulu language - one of the Bantu languages
- Zulu culture
- Shaka Zulu - the king