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Ladysmith Black Mambazo

Biography

Ladysmith Dark Mambazo was founded by Joseph Shabalala in 1974. They’ve lower more than 30 albums since, however the group didn’t become popular beyond South Africa until Paul Simon asked them to execute on Graceland. Shabalala was created right into a poor family members that lived on the white man’s plantation near the city of Ladysmith. There have been eight children within the Shabalala family members, and, because the oldest son, it had been Joseph’s duty to deal with the family members after his dad died. Shabalala’s 1st musical encounter, save to get a little bit of fooling around on your guitar, was included with a choral group known as the Blacks. Shabalala ultimately took over management of the group and became its primary composer. The Blacks earned a lot of the regional vocal contests and became typically the most popular Zulu vocal group, but Shabalala experienced that something was lacking. “I have been hearing a tone of voice inside me,” Shabalala stated. “I didn’t understand it, nonetheless it was the tone of voice of God.” Once the tone of voice informed him to fast, Shabalala obeyed, and on his fast, he previously a eyesight of a fresh sort of vocal music. Quickly thereafter he became a Christian. Acquiring the choral music he noticed within the Christian cathedral, he mixed it using the Zulu custom to generate his own design. Once the Blacks refused to be a part of Shabalala’s tests, he produced Ladysmith Dark Mambazo. The group includes seven bass voices, an alto, a tenor, and Shabalala performing lead. The combo instantly began launching albums at an astounding rate, supplying a substantial catalog of vocal music. Even though you don’t speak Zulu, if they hit a minimal rumbling note, it is possible to literally feel the energy of the voices within you. “In Zulu performing you can find three major noises,” Shabalala points out. “A higher keening ululation; a grunting, puffing audio that people make whenever we stomp our foot; and a particular way of performing melody. Before Dark Mambazo you didn’t hear these three noises within the same music. So it’s not used to combine them, though it is still performed in a normal style. We have been just requesting God to permit us to polish it, to keep our voices to be able so we are able to compliment Him and uplift individuals.” The group has already established an exceptionally prolific recording profession, having released over 50 albums and series, you start with their debut, Amabutho, on Gallo Information in 1973. In 1988 Ladymith agreed upon with Warner Bros. and released a set of albums, Trip of Dreams in 1988 and Two Worlds One Center in 1990. Several best-of samplers made an appearance on Shanachie in 1992. The group turned back again to Gallo for some 1990s releases, after that transferred to Wrasse for many albums, including 2000’s In Tranquility. No Limitations, which presented the British Chamber Orchestra, made an appearance on Headsup Information in 2005, accompanied by a second recording through the label, Very long Walk to Independence, in 2006. In 2007 Ilembe: Honoring Shaka Zulu was released in South Africa with an American release pursuing in 2008.

Quick Facts


Full Name Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Awards Grammy Award for Best World Music Album, Grammy Award for Best Traditional World Music Album, Grammy Award for Best Traditional Folk Album, South African Music Award for International Achievement, Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Music in a Play, South African Music Award for Lifetime Achievement
Music Songs Homeless, Hello My Baby, Mbube, Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes, Inkanyezi Nezazi, Knockin' on Heaven's Door, Rain, Rain, Beautiful Rain, Nomathemba, World in Union, Upendi, Thalaza, Cothoza Mfana, Wemfana, Awu Wemadoda, Nansi Imali, Leliyafu, Cabhayeye, Wawnsho Kubani?, Yangiluma Inkukhu, Imithi Gobakahle, Zulu Laduma, Abantwana Basethempeleni, Abezizwa, Township Jive, Lifikile Ivangeli, Yinhle Lentombi, Zintombi, Amazing Grace / Nearer My God to Thee, Vuka Jona Sithandaze, Kangivumanga, We Nhiziyo Yami, Ukhalangami
Albums Shaka Zulu, Long Walk to Freedom, Inkanyezi Nezazi (The Star and the Wiseman), Journey of Dreams, Songs from a Zulu Farm, Intokozo, Amabutho, Gift of the Tortoise, Wenyukela, Ilembe, Ilembe: Honoring Shaka Zulu, No Boundaries, Always with Us, Ukusindiswa, Inkazimulo, Live at the Royal Albert Hall, Shintsha Sithothobala, Phezulu Emafini, Indlela yaseZulwini, Amaqhawe, Live: Singing for Peace Around The World, Raise Your Spirit Higher, Inala, Umthombo Wamanzi, Ulwandle Oluncgwele, Isitimela, Lihl' Ixhiba Likagogo, Thuthukani Ngoxolo, Phansi Emgodini, Ibhayibheli Liyindlela, Induku Zethu, Ushaka, Imbongi, Ukukhanya Kwelanga, Thandani, Liph' Iqiniso, Ukuzala-Ukuzelula, Ezinkulu, Music From Inala: A Zulu Ballet, My Dream – African Sounds, Umama Lo!, Classic Tracks, Ezulwini Siyakhona, Kobuye Kulunge, Live at Montreux 1987/1989/2000
Nominations South African Music Award for Best Collaboration, Tony Award for Best Original Score


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Soundtrack

Soundtrack

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Touch the Sky 2012 Documentary performer: "Rain, Rain, Beautiful Rain"
Independent Lens 2012 TV Series documentary performer - 1 episode
Born to Be Wild 2011 Documentary short performer: "Lonyaka"
Austin City Limits 2006 TV Series documentary performer - 1 episode
Stander 2003 performer: "Star & the Wiseman"
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen 2003 performer: "Son of Africa"
Dude, Where's My Car? 2000 performer: "Bakhuphuka Izwe Lonke"
The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride 1998 Video performer: "We Are One", "Upendi"
Dolly Parton: Treasures 1996 TV Movie documentary "Peace Train"
FernGully: The Last Rainforest 1992 performer: "Bamnqobile"
Sing Yourself Silly! 1990 Video short performer: "Put Down the Duckie" 1986 - uncredited
Heart Condition 1990 performer: "Uzube Nami Baba"
A Dry White Season 1989 performer: "UNOMATHEMBA", "UMUSA", "YINI KODWA YINI"
Moonwalker 1988 performer: "The Moon is Walking" / writer: "The Moon is Walking"
Coming to America 1988 performer: "Mbube Wimoweh"
Saturday Night Live TV Series performer - 2 episodes, 1986 writer - 1 episode, 1986
Sesame Street 1969 TV Series performer: "AFRICAN ALPHABET SONG"

Music Department

Music Department

TitleYearStatusCharacter
The Land Before Time 2007 TV Series theme song - 1 episode
Tropical Rainforest 1992 Documentary short music performers

Actor

Actor

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Sesame Street 1989 TV Series African Tribe

Composer

Composer

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Moonwalker 1988

Self

Self

TitleYearStatusCharacter
The X Factor South Africa 2014 TV Series Themselves - Special Guests
Music for Mandela 2013 Documentary Themselves - Interviewees / Singers
Under African Skies 2012 Documentary Himself
Cirque du Soleil's Poetic Social Mission 2009 TV Movie documentary Themselves
Paul Simon: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song 2007 TV Special Performer
Austin City Limits 2006 TV Series documentary Themselves
The Tony Danza Show 2006 TV Series Themselves
Ellen: The Ellen DeGeneres Show 2006 TV Series Themselves
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno 2006 TV Series Themselves
Later... With Jools Holland 1998-2003 TV Series Themselves
South Africa Freedom Day: Concert on the Square 2002 Video Themselves
Sesame Street Jam: A Musical Celebration 1993 TV Movie Themselves - Special Guests
American Masters 1993 TV Series documentary Themselves
Sesame Street 1989-1992 TV Series Themselves
Great Performances 1990 TV Series Themselves
The Ghost of Faffner Hall 1989 TV Series Themselves
The Prince's Trust Rock Gala 1989 TV Movie Themselves
Sesame Street, Special 1988 TV Movie Themselves (segment "Put Down the Duckie")
Paul Simon, Graceland: The African Concert 1987 TV Movie documentary Themselves
The 29th Annual Grammy Awards 1987 TV Special Themselves
Saturday Night Live 1986 TV Series Themselves / Themselves - Musical Guest
Beats of the Heart: Rhythm of Resistance 1979 TV Movie documentary Themselves

Archive Footage

Archive Footage

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Anyone for Demis? How the World Invaded the Charts 2011 TV Movie documentary Themselves
The African Rock 'n' Roll Years 2006 TV Series documentary Themselves
Disney Sing-Along-Songs: Honor to Us All 1998 Video short
Sing Yourself Silly! 1990 Video short Themselves

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