Role

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Ensemble

Country

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South Africa

 

Ladysmith Black Mambazo is a South African a cappella group that has been performing for over 50 years. The group was formed in 1960 by Joseph Shabalala, who was born in 1941 in Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Shabalala grew up in a musical family and was inspired by the traditional Zulu music he heard in his community. He formed the group with his brothers and cousins, and they began performing at local events and competitions. In the early 1970s, Ladysmith Black Mambazo gained national attention when they won the isicathamiya competition, a style of a cappella singing that originated in the mines of South Africa. The group's unique harmonies and choreography caught the attention of Paul Simon, who was working on his album "Graceland" at the time. Simon invited Ladysmith Black Mambazo to collaborate on the album, and their performance on the song "Homeless" helped to introduce their music to a global audience. The success of "Graceland" led to a world tour for Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and they continued to perform and record throughout the 1980s and 1990s. They won their first Grammy Award in 1988 for their album "Shaka Zulu," and went on to win four more Grammys in the years that followed. The group has also been recognized with numerous other awards and honors, including the Order of Ikhamanga, South Africa's highest honor for achievement in the arts and culture. Ladysmith Black Mambazo's music is characterized by their intricate harmonies, which are often accompanied by traditional Zulu instruments such as the isigubhu (drum) and the umakhweyana (mouth bow). Their lyrics often focus on themes of love, peace, and unity, and they have been praised for their ability to promote cultural understanding and reconciliation through their music. In addition to their collaborations with Paul Simon, Ladysmith Black Mambazo has worked with a number of other artists over the years, including Stevie Wonder, Dolly Parton, and Josh Groban. They have also performed at a number of high-profile events, including the inauguration of Nelson Mandela as South Africa's first black president in 1994. Despite the passing of Joseph Shabalala in 2020, Ladysmith Black Mambazo continues to perform and record, with several of Shabalala's sons and grandsons now part of the group. Their music remains a powerful testament to the rich cultural heritage of South Africa, and their message of peace and unity continues to resonate with audiences around the world.

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