Mahotella Queens
Encyclopedia
The Mahotella Queens are a South Africa
n singing group formed in 1964 (and still together today) comprising Hilda Tloubatla
, Nobesuthu Mbadu
and Mildred Mangxola
. The group is noted for their clear three-part harmonies, Mbaqanga
township music and fast-paced mgqashiyo dancing.
The Queens were formed by the famed South African talent scout Rupert Bopape, at Gallo Record Company
, in 1964, and would go on to have many hits at Gallo's African music division, Mavuthela. Throughout the 1960s, the Queens' line-up usually comprised Hilda Tloubatla, Juliet Mazamisa, Ethel Mngomezulu, Nobesuthu Mbadu
and Mildred Mangxola
. They were backed by the Mavuthela house band, the Makhona Tsohle Band (comprising several talented instrumentalists including Marks Mankwane on lead guitar and West Nkosi
on saxophone), and fronted by the deep-voiced Simon "Mahlathini" Nkabinde
. After 1971, growing competition from rival groups saw the Queens' line-up fluctuate considerably, and after a string of mildly-successful late '70s hits, the original five Mahotella Queens regrouped with Mahlathini and Makgona Tsohle in 1983. After one more hiatus, three of the Queens - Hilda Tloubatla, Nobesuthu Mbadu and Mildred Mangxola - regrouped permanently.
Although Mahlathini, Marks Mankwane and West Nkosi died between 1998 and 1999, the three Queens continue performing and recording - well into their 60s - to this day.
bringing together several different female session singers from their African music production base, Mavuthela Music. Five of these usually sung the main harmonies. The Queens' members were studio singers before 1963, with many (including resident lead singer Hilda Tloubatla
) having recorded backing tracks for Gallo artists.
The group was formed by Rupert Bopape, a music producer and famous talent scout at the Mavuthela division. Bopape first invited along 22-year old Tloubatla after hearing her singing at the South African Broadcasting Corporation, closely followed by 18 year-old Mildred Mangxola
and later on, 19 year-old Nobesuthu Mbadu
. Also joining the group were Juliet Mazamisa, Ethel and Francisca Mngomezulu, Mary Rabotapi (previously a member of Miriam Makeba
's backing group The Skylarks
) and Nunu Maseko. When the Queens line-up was complete, Bopape combined the group with the 'king of the Groaners', Simon Mahlathini Nkabinde
(known for his gruff, 'groaning' voice), and the Makgona Tsohle Band
, the first exponents of mbaqanga
music.
Throughout the 1960s and early '70s, Mavuthela usually selected five singers from their stable of contemporary female groups, but five members were almost certainly present on most recordings: Hilda Tloubatla, Juliet Mazamisa, Ethel Mngomezulu, Nobesuthu Mbadu and Mildred Mangxola.
The very first line-up of the Mahotella Queens had their first hit with Mahlathini and the Makgona Tsohle Band with the 7" single, "Sithunyiwe" which introduced mbaqanga
, a type of music that fused marabi (South African jazz) and choral music with sounds of South Africa. This evolved into their own unique style of mgqashiyo, the Queens' no-nonsense fast-paced dancing (and harmonies) combined with the leaps, grunts and powerful vocals courtesy of Mahlathini
. The group would have hits throughout the 1960s on the Gallo/Mavuthela label Motella, with songs such as "Sengikhala Ngiyabaleka", "Sikhulekele", "Sithunyiwe Thokozile No. 3" and "Umculo Kawupheli". Many of these songs were re-recorded in 1986 for their reunion album Thokozile.
, the saxophone and pennywhistle extraordinare of the Makgona Tsohle Band became a music producer at Gallo, where he most famously brought an unknown choral group to the label in 1972 - the then-unknown choir Ladysmith Black Mambazo
. An entirely new line-up of Queens were roped in to replace the original members. They were Emily Zwane, Caroline Kapentar, Thandi Nkosi, Thandi Radebe and Beatrice Ngcobo.
Three of the original Mahotella Queens (Hilda Tloubatla, Nobesuthu Mbadu and Mildred Mangxola) re-grouped with the newer members in 1975, perhaps for something of a publicity stunt (footage of their comeback is contained on the VHS and DVD release Mahlathini, Mahotella Queens and Makgona Tsohle Band: Mbaqanga, at its Best!, GMPV 9). The group then released a highly successful album, Marriage is a Problem (reissued in 1990 on Shanachie Records
).
After this was over, Tloubatla, Mbadu and Mangxola all left once more. The Queens line-up fluctuated over the next five years, with singers such as Irene Mawela (who would later go on to have a successful solo career) joining the group. Their 1977 release, Izibani Zomgqashiyo (reissued in 1986 on Shanachie), was partly successful, but was (for the most part) a failure in South Africa. This was due to mbaqanga music (and other, traditional music) being phased out by Western styles such as pop
and disco
.
In 1983, Marks Mankwane reunited five of the original Queens for full-time recording with Mahlathini
; Hilda Tloubatla, Juliet Mazamisa, Ethel Mngomezulu, Nobesuthu Mbadu and Mildred Mangxola. Their comeback release, Amaqhawe Omgqashiyo
(reissued internationally in 1984 on Celluloid, under the title Isomiso), was a success. This was partly because a more heavy drum beat (and the addition of more prominent keyboards) was incorporated into the mbaqanga sound.
After another hiatus, the group reunited once more, in 1986. This was due to the explosive interest in South African music following Paul Simon
's massively successful Graceland
album, in which Simon collaborated with acts such as Ladysmith Black Mambazo
, Stimela
, Miriam Makeba
, Hugh Masekela
and many more. In this next incarnation of Mahlathini & the Mahotella Queens, the five ladies were pared down to three - Hilda Tloubatla, Nobesuthu Mbadu and Mildred Mangxola. Mahlathini & the Queens hit platinum with their first record aimed at the international market Thokozile. Outside of South Africa, many people suddenly became drawn to this music - the driving beat of mgqashiyo (the "indestructible beat"). Over the next 15 years, they would have hits with Paris - Soweto
, Mbaqanga, Rhythm and Art, Stoki Stoki and Umuntu.
's health had been steadily growing worse since the mid-1990s, and the group delivered their last live performance as a whole group in 1997. A tragedy struck soon afterwards; their co-producer and former band member West Nkosi
was killed in a car crash in 1998. On the very day they buried Nkosi, their lead guitarist and arranger Marks Mankwane died. The group had to continue, and recorded the album Umuntu in tribute to their late friends. However, in July 1999, the biggest tragedy occurred for the group: Simon Mahlathini Nkabinde died as a result of a diabetic condition.
After only a few weeks, the Queens returned to singing, performing and recording, in hope of keeping Mahlathini's spirit alive. They had decided they couldn't stop singing after so many years. In 2001, they recorded the highly successful Sebai Bai, which included a vocal performance of the track "Masibambaneni", a song they originally performed with Mahlathini seven years earlier and which spoke of blacks, whites and other colours joining together to create a peaceful South Africa (following the end of Apartheid). Other tracks included the title song (named after a young Sotho
girl), "Dlhaya Mhunu" (which pleads with people not to murder others) and a re-recording of "Dilika Town Hall". Dedicating the album to Mahlathini and the old Makgona Tsohle Band, the Mahotella Queens had formed a new backing band: Victor Mkhize on lead guitar, Madoda Ntshingila on bass guitar, Makhosonke Mbuyisa on keyboard, Regis Gizavo
on accordion, and Theko Masitenyane on drums.
On 31 August 2005, the Queens released Reign & Shine
, an album – their third since Mahlathini's death – that focused on vocal singing and only featured the backing band sporadically. Backing them was Texan Thusi on lead guitar, Madoda Ntshingila on bass guitar and Veli Shabangu on percussions. The album was a moral recording, with messages of ending child rape ("Muntu Wesilisa" - "Men, We're Talking to You"), begging for a cure for HIV
-Aids
("Saphel' Isizwe" - "Disease All Over the Nation") and asking children to obey traditional beliefs ("Siyancela" - "We Are Pleading With You"). Note: "Sela Ndini" is actually track 8 on the album, whilst "Saphel' Isizwe" is actually track 2 - in the album booklet and on the inlay, the titles and descriptions have been swapped around.
The latest album from the Queens, Siyadumisa (Songs of Praise)
, was released in May 2007. It is one of their first albums to feature a religious theme throughout. During the making of the album, their bass guitarist Madoda Ntshingila was injured in a car accident, and at the last minute the acclaimed bassist Jabu Sibumbe was roped in to replace Ntshingila. A tragedy also occurred during the production: the Queens had recruited a new lead guitarist, John Papo, whom they described as "very beautiful [...] we finally found a guitarist that plays like [the late] Marks Mankwane, our first guitarist. It's like you're listening him!". Tragically, the young Papo died suddenly in February 2007.
The album features rearranged versions of traditional Zulu hymns such as "Usathane Uyadelela" as well as new songs such as "Ebenezer" (the opening song sung by the Queens during live performances) and "Lenjabulo". Also included is a re-recording of one of the Queens 1980s hits, "Bonang Suna".
) and North America.
as the support act for Ladysmith Black Mambazo
in May 2006, and completed it on June 10, 2006. The Queens performed a special 'a cappella' set, accompanied by successful percussionist Veli Shabangu. The Queens toured France
, Germany
and Asia
, with the complete backing band, from June 26 - July 23, 2006.
The Queens also headlined WOMAD 2006, which was held over three days (July 28–31, 2006), singing signature songs such as Kazet.
The Queens completed a tour of Europe on August 25, 2007 in which they performed at various WOMAD 2007 festivals. The Queens also performed at venues at home in South Africa as well in the US during late 2007 and 2008.
The Queens have appeared as part of Pee Wee Ellis
's show Still Black, Still Proud: An African Tribute to James Brown for the last two years. Their next performances were in Europe throughout May and April 2010, as well as further performances in autumn and winter. As part of this European tour schedule, South African jazz legend Hugh Masekela
joined forces with the Queens for a special UK tour for November 2010. The main show was in London on 12 November 2010, at the Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall. The show was part of the London Jazz Festival in association with BBC Radio 3
, and was completely sold out.
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n singing group formed in 1964 (and still together today) comprising Hilda Tloubatla
Hilda Tloubatla
Hilda Semola Tloubatla is a South African mbaqanga singer, and the lead singer of the acclaimed group the Mahotella Queens. Tloubatla was born in Payneville, Springs in South Africa before moving to kwaThema township in 1951 as a result of the apartheid government's 'Group Areas Act' in the...
, Nobesuthu Mbadu
Nobesuthu Mbadu
Nobesuthu Gertrude Mbadu Shawe is a South African mbaqanga singer, and a singer in the acclaimed group the Mahotella Queens...
and Mildred Mangxola
Mildred Mangxola
Nontsomi Mildred Mangxola is a South African mbaqanga singer, and a singer in the acclaimed group the Mahotella Queens. Mangxola was born in Benoni, Johannesburg, in South Africa, and loved singing from a young age...
. The group is noted for their clear three-part harmonies, Mbaqanga
Mbaqanga
Mbaqanga is a style of South African music with rural Zulu roots that continues to influence musicians worldwide today. The style originated in the early 1960s.-History:...
township music and fast-paced mgqashiyo dancing.
The Queens were formed by the famed South African talent scout Rupert Bopape, at Gallo Record Company
Gallo Record Company
Gallo Record Company is the largest record label in Africa. It is based in Johannesburg, South Africa, and is owned by Avusa Limited . The current Gallo Record Company is a hybrid of two rival South African record labels between the '40s and '80s: the original Gallo Africa and G.R.C...
, in 1964, and would go on to have many hits at Gallo's African music division, Mavuthela. Throughout the 1960s, the Queens' line-up usually comprised Hilda Tloubatla, Juliet Mazamisa, Ethel Mngomezulu, Nobesuthu Mbadu
Nobesuthu Mbadu
Nobesuthu Gertrude Mbadu Shawe is a South African mbaqanga singer, and a singer in the acclaimed group the Mahotella Queens...
and Mildred Mangxola
Mildred Mangxola
Nontsomi Mildred Mangxola is a South African mbaqanga singer, and a singer in the acclaimed group the Mahotella Queens. Mangxola was born in Benoni, Johannesburg, in South Africa, and loved singing from a young age...
. They were backed by the Mavuthela house band, the Makhona Tsohle Band (comprising several talented instrumentalists including Marks Mankwane on lead guitar and West Nkosi
West Nkosi
West Nkosi was a South African music producer, saxophonist and songwriter.Nkosi was born in Nelspruit, South Africa. He was an original member of the Makgona Tsohle Band which backed Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens...
on saxophone), and fronted by the deep-voiced Simon "Mahlathini" Nkabinde
Mahlathini
Simon 'Mahlathini' Nkabinde was a South African mbaqanga singer. Known as the "Lion of Soweto" Nkabinde is the acknowledged exponent of the deep-voiced, basso profundo "groaning" style that came to symbolize mbaqanga music in the 1960s...
. After 1971, growing competition from rival groups saw the Queens' line-up fluctuate considerably, and after a string of mildly-successful late '70s hits, the original five Mahotella Queens regrouped with Mahlathini and Makgona Tsohle in 1983. After one more hiatus, three of the Queens - Hilda Tloubatla, Nobesuthu Mbadu and Mildred Mangxola - regrouped permanently.
Although Mahlathini, Marks Mankwane and West Nkosi died between 1998 and 1999, the three Queens continue performing and recording - well into their 60s - to this day.
The early years
The Mahotella Queens, originally, was just a recording name, with Gallo Record CompanyGallo Record Company
Gallo Record Company is the largest record label in Africa. It is based in Johannesburg, South Africa, and is owned by Avusa Limited . The current Gallo Record Company is a hybrid of two rival South African record labels between the '40s and '80s: the original Gallo Africa and G.R.C...
bringing together several different female session singers from their African music production base, Mavuthela Music. Five of these usually sung the main harmonies. The Queens' members were studio singers before 1963, with many (including resident lead singer Hilda Tloubatla
Hilda Tloubatla
Hilda Semola Tloubatla is a South African mbaqanga singer, and the lead singer of the acclaimed group the Mahotella Queens. Tloubatla was born in Payneville, Springs in South Africa before moving to kwaThema township in 1951 as a result of the apartheid government's 'Group Areas Act' in the...
) having recorded backing tracks for Gallo artists.
The group was formed by Rupert Bopape, a music producer and famous talent scout at the Mavuthela division. Bopape first invited along 22-year old Tloubatla after hearing her singing at the South African Broadcasting Corporation, closely followed by 18 year-old Mildred Mangxola
Mildred Mangxola
Nontsomi Mildred Mangxola is a South African mbaqanga singer, and a singer in the acclaimed group the Mahotella Queens. Mangxola was born in Benoni, Johannesburg, in South Africa, and loved singing from a young age...
and later on, 19 year-old Nobesuthu Mbadu
Nobesuthu Mbadu
Nobesuthu Gertrude Mbadu Shawe is a South African mbaqanga singer, and a singer in the acclaimed group the Mahotella Queens...
. Also joining the group were Juliet Mazamisa, Ethel and Francisca Mngomezulu, Mary Rabotapi (previously a member of Miriam Makeba
Miriam Makeba
Miriam Makeba , nicknamed Mama Africa, was a Grammy Award winning South African singer and civil rights activist....
's backing group The Skylarks
The Skylarks
The Skylarks were a cult alternative rock band from Liverpool, England-History:The Skylarks formed in 1996 by Paul Molloy and Vinny McPoland. In 1997 they were joined by Dave Dutton and Michael Fitzgerald on drums. In 1999 Michael Fitzgerald left and was replaced by Dave Baker. The Skylarks gained...
) and Nunu Maseko. When the Queens line-up was complete, Bopape combined the group with the 'king of the Groaners', Simon Mahlathini Nkabinde
Mahlathini
Simon 'Mahlathini' Nkabinde was a South African mbaqanga singer. Known as the "Lion of Soweto" Nkabinde is the acknowledged exponent of the deep-voiced, basso profundo "groaning" style that came to symbolize mbaqanga music in the 1960s...
(known for his gruff, 'groaning' voice), and the Makgona Tsohle Band
Makgona Tsohle Band
The Makgona Tsohle Band was a South African instrumental band that is noted for creating the mbaqanga music style. The group was formed in 1964 at Mavuthela , and became the Mavuthela house band. It garnered success by backing fellow Mavuthela-Gallo stars, Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens...
, the first exponents of mbaqanga
Mbaqanga
Mbaqanga is a style of South African music with rural Zulu roots that continues to influence musicians worldwide today. The style originated in the early 1960s.-History:...
music.
Throughout the 1960s and early '70s, Mavuthela usually selected five singers from their stable of contemporary female groups, but five members were almost certainly present on most recordings: Hilda Tloubatla, Juliet Mazamisa, Ethel Mngomezulu, Nobesuthu Mbadu and Mildred Mangxola.
Mbaqanga
Mbaqanga is a style of South African music with rural Zulu roots that continues to influence musicians worldwide today. The style originated in the early 1960s.-History:...
, a type of music that fused marabi (South African jazz) and choral music with sounds of South Africa. This evolved into their own unique style of mgqashiyo, the Queens' no-nonsense fast-paced dancing (and harmonies) combined with the leaps, grunts and powerful vocals courtesy of Mahlathini
Mahlathini
Simon 'Mahlathini' Nkabinde was a South African mbaqanga singer. Known as the "Lion of Soweto" Nkabinde is the acknowledged exponent of the deep-voiced, basso profundo "groaning" style that came to symbolize mbaqanga music in the 1960s...
. The group would have hits throughout the 1960s on the Gallo/Mavuthela label Motella, with songs such as "Sengikhala Ngiyabaleka", "Sikhulekele", "Sithunyiwe Thokozile No. 3" and "Umculo Kawupheli". Many of these songs were re-recorded in 1986 for their reunion album Thokozile.
Split
In 1971, several of the original Queens' members departed to care for their families. As a result, the remaining Mahotella personnel (including Nunu Maseko, Hilda Tloubatla and Nobesuthu Mbadu) joined rival groups such as Izintombi Zesimanjemanje. Mahlathini went to EMI to record with two groups; the Mahlathini Girls, his own backing singers, and Ndlondlo Bashise - "The Mahlathini Guitar Band". West NkosiWest Nkosi
West Nkosi was a South African music producer, saxophonist and songwriter.Nkosi was born in Nelspruit, South Africa. He was an original member of the Makgona Tsohle Band which backed Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens...
, the saxophone and pennywhistle extraordinare of the Makgona Tsohle Band became a music producer at Gallo, where he most famously brought an unknown choral group to the label in 1972 - the then-unknown choir Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Ladysmith Black Mambazo is a male choral group from South Africa that sings in the vocal styles of isicathamiya and mbube. They rose to worldwide prominence as a result of singing with Paul Simon on his album, Graceland and have won multiple awards, including three Grammy Awards...
. An entirely new line-up of Queens were roped in to replace the original members. They were Emily Zwane, Caroline Kapentar, Thandi Nkosi, Thandi Radebe and Beatrice Ngcobo.
Three of the original Mahotella Queens (Hilda Tloubatla, Nobesuthu Mbadu and Mildred Mangxola) re-grouped with the newer members in 1975, perhaps for something of a publicity stunt (footage of their comeback is contained on the VHS and DVD release Mahlathini, Mahotella Queens and Makgona Tsohle Band: Mbaqanga, at its Best!, GMPV 9). The group then released a highly successful album, Marriage is a Problem (reissued in 1990 on Shanachie Records
Shanachie Records
Shanachie Records was founded in 1976 by Richard Nevins and Dan Collins. According to Harvey Pekar , it is one of the largest independent record labels in the world, and is currently distributed by E1 Music. Starting as a label that specialized in fiddle music, they began releasing work by Celtic...
).
After this was over, Tloubatla, Mbadu and Mangxola all left once more. The Queens line-up fluctuated over the next five years, with singers such as Irene Mawela (who would later go on to have a successful solo career) joining the group. Their 1977 release, Izibani Zomgqashiyo (reissued in 1986 on Shanachie), was partly successful, but was (for the most part) a failure in South Africa. This was due to mbaqanga music (and other, traditional music) being phased out by Western styles such as pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
and disco
Disco
Disco is a genre of dance music. Disco acts charted high during the mid-1970s, and the genre's popularity peaked during the late 1970s. It had its roots in clubs that catered to African American, gay, psychedelic, and other communities in New York City and Philadelphia during the late 1960s and...
.
World popularity
Mahlathini
Simon 'Mahlathini' Nkabinde was a South African mbaqanga singer. Known as the "Lion of Soweto" Nkabinde is the acknowledged exponent of the deep-voiced, basso profundo "groaning" style that came to symbolize mbaqanga music in the 1960s...
; Hilda Tloubatla, Juliet Mazamisa, Ethel Mngomezulu, Nobesuthu Mbadu and Mildred Mangxola. Their comeback release, Amaqhawe Omgqashiyo
Amaqhawe Omgqashiyo
Amaqhawe Omgqashiyo was the first release by Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens after their comeback in 1983. The group was reunited by Marks Mankwane...
(reissued internationally in 1984 on Celluloid, under the title Isomiso), was a success. This was partly because a more heavy drum beat (and the addition of more prominent keyboards) was incorporated into the mbaqanga sound.
After another hiatus, the group reunited once more, in 1986. This was due to the explosive interest in South African music following Paul Simon
Paul Simon
Paul Frederic Simon is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist.Simon is best known for his success, beginning in 1965, as part of the duo Simon & Garfunkel, with musical partner Art Garfunkel. Simon wrote most of the pair's songs, including three that reached number one on the US singles...
's massively successful Graceland
Graceland (album)
Graceland was Paul Simon's highest charting album in the U.S. in over a decade, reaching #3 in the national Billboard charts, receiving a certification of 5× Platinum by the RIAA and eventually selling over 14 million copies, making it Simon's most commercially successful album...
album, in which Simon collaborated with acts such as Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Ladysmith Black Mambazo is a male choral group from South Africa that sings in the vocal styles of isicathamiya and mbube. They rose to worldwide prominence as a result of singing with Paul Simon on his album, Graceland and have won multiple awards, including three Grammy Awards...
, Stimela
Stimela
Stimela is a South African Afro-fusion band, founded by Ray Phiri in 1982 after his previous band the Cannibals disbanded. They created Fire, Passion and Ecstasy , Look, Listen and Decide .-Members:*Ray Phiri, lead guitar, lead vocals...
, Miriam Makeba
Miriam Makeba
Miriam Makeba , nicknamed Mama Africa, was a Grammy Award winning South African singer and civil rights activist....
, Hugh Masekela
Hugh Masekela
Hugh Ramopolo Masekela is a South African trumpeter, flugelhornist, cornetist, composer, and singer.-Early life:Masekela was born in Kwa-Guqa Township, Witbank, South Africa. He began singing and playing piano as a child...
and many more. In this next incarnation of Mahlathini & the Mahotella Queens, the five ladies were pared down to three - Hilda Tloubatla, Nobesuthu Mbadu and Mildred Mangxola. Mahlathini & the Queens hit platinum with their first record aimed at the international market Thokozile. Outside of South Africa, many people suddenly became drawn to this music - the driving beat of mgqashiyo (the "indestructible beat"). Over the next 15 years, they would have hits with Paris - Soweto
Paris - Soweto
Paris - Soweto is a 1987 album by the South African mbaqanga group Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens. The album was recorded just after the group reunited in 1986, and was one of the first albums to be recorded specifically for the international audience...
, Mbaqanga, Rhythm and Art, Stoki Stoki and Umuntu.
Tragedy and a new era
MahlathiniMahlathini
Simon 'Mahlathini' Nkabinde was a South African mbaqanga singer. Known as the "Lion of Soweto" Nkabinde is the acknowledged exponent of the deep-voiced, basso profundo "groaning" style that came to symbolize mbaqanga music in the 1960s...
's health had been steadily growing worse since the mid-1990s, and the group delivered their last live performance as a whole group in 1997. A tragedy struck soon afterwards; their co-producer and former band member West Nkosi
West Nkosi
West Nkosi was a South African music producer, saxophonist and songwriter.Nkosi was born in Nelspruit, South Africa. He was an original member of the Makgona Tsohle Band which backed Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens...
was killed in a car crash in 1998. On the very day they buried Nkosi, their lead guitarist and arranger Marks Mankwane died. The group had to continue, and recorded the album Umuntu in tribute to their late friends. However, in July 1999, the biggest tragedy occurred for the group: Simon Mahlathini Nkabinde died as a result of a diabetic condition.
After only a few weeks, the Queens returned to singing, performing and recording, in hope of keeping Mahlathini's spirit alive. They had decided they couldn't stop singing after so many years. In 2001, they recorded the highly successful Sebai Bai, which included a vocal performance of the track "Masibambaneni", a song they originally performed with Mahlathini seven years earlier and which spoke of blacks, whites and other colours joining together to create a peaceful South Africa (following the end of Apartheid). Other tracks included the title song (named after a young Sotho
Sotho
Sotho may refer to:*The Sotho people , an African ethnic group principally resident in South Africa and Lesotho.*The Sotho language , a Bantu Language spoken in southern Africa, an official language of both South Africa and Lesotho.*The Northern Sotho language , a group of related Bantu dialects...
girl), "Dlhaya Mhunu" (which pleads with people not to murder others) and a re-recording of "Dilika Town Hall". Dedicating the album to Mahlathini and the old Makgona Tsohle Band, the Mahotella Queens had formed a new backing band: Victor Mkhize on lead guitar, Madoda Ntshingila on bass guitar, Makhosonke Mbuyisa on keyboard, Regis Gizavo
Régis Gizavo
Régis Gizavo is a Malagasy accordionist.He was born in Tuléar, Madagascar and began playing the accordion at a young age. In 1990 he won the Radio France Internationale "Prix découvertes"....
on accordion, and Theko Masitenyane on drums.
Reign & Shine
Reign & Shine
Reign & Shine is a 2005 album by the South African mbaqanga group the Mahotella Queens. The album was a break from their usual mgqashiyo music, focusing on three-part vocal harmonies and percussion , with electric guitar and bass only appearing on some tracks...
, an album – their third since Mahlathini's death – that focused on vocal singing and only featured the backing band sporadically. Backing them was Texan Thusi on lead guitar, Madoda Ntshingila on bass guitar and Veli Shabangu on percussions. The album was a moral recording, with messages of ending child rape ("Muntu Wesilisa" - "Men, We're Talking to You"), begging for a cure for HIV
HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome , a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive...
-Aids
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
("Saphel' Isizwe" - "Disease All Over the Nation") and asking children to obey traditional beliefs ("Siyancela" - "We Are Pleading With You"). Note: "Sela Ndini" is actually track 8 on the album, whilst "Saphel' Isizwe" is actually track 2 - in the album booklet and on the inlay, the titles and descriptions have been swapped around.
Siyadumisa (Songs of Praise)
Siyadumisa (Songs of Praise)
Siyadumisa is a 2007 album by the South African mbaqanga group the Mahotella Queens. The album is the first gospel-orientated album by the Queens, and features the voice of lead singer Hilda Tloubatla's son, Alfred "Ali" Temo...
, was released in May 2007. It is one of their first albums to feature a religious theme throughout. During the making of the album, their bass guitarist Madoda Ntshingila was injured in a car accident, and at the last minute the acclaimed bassist Jabu Sibumbe was roped in to replace Ntshingila. A tragedy also occurred during the production: the Queens had recruited a new lead guitarist, John Papo, whom they described as "very beautiful [...] we finally found a guitarist that plays like [the late] Marks Mankwane, our first guitarist. It's like you're listening him!". Tragically, the young Papo died suddenly in February 2007.
The album features rearranged versions of traditional Zulu hymns such as "Usathane Uyadelela" as well as new songs such as "Ebenezer" (the opening song sung by the Queens during live performances) and "Lenjabulo". Also included is a re-recording of one of the Queens 1980s hits, "Bonang Suna".
History
The Mahotella Queens have been touring since the 1960s and, with male 'groaners' such as Robert Mbazo Mkhize and their long-term lead singer Mahlathini, have sold out shows in South Africa, the United States, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Their international touring career started in 1988, beginning with concerts in the United Kingdom (most notably the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Concert in Wembley StadiumWembley Stadium
The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...
) and North America.
Today
The Queens commenced a tour of BritainUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
as the support act for Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Ladysmith Black Mambazo is a male choral group from South Africa that sings in the vocal styles of isicathamiya and mbube. They rose to worldwide prominence as a result of singing with Paul Simon on his album, Graceland and have won multiple awards, including three Grammy Awards...
in May 2006, and completed it on June 10, 2006. The Queens performed a special 'a cappella' set, accompanied by successful percussionist Veli Shabangu. The Queens toured France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
, with the complete backing band, from June 26 - July 23, 2006.
The Queens also headlined WOMAD 2006, which was held over three days (July 28–31, 2006), singing signature songs such as Kazet.
The Queens completed a tour of Europe on August 25, 2007 in which they performed at various WOMAD 2007 festivals. The Queens also performed at venues at home in South Africa as well in the US during late 2007 and 2008.
The Queens have appeared as part of Pee Wee Ellis
Pee Wee Ellis
Alfred "Pee Wee" Ellis is an American saxophonist, composer and arranger. He was an important member of James Brown's band in the 1960s and appeared on many of Brown's most notable recordings...
's show Still Black, Still Proud: An African Tribute to James Brown for the last two years. Their next performances were in Europe throughout May and April 2010, as well as further performances in autumn and winter. As part of this European tour schedule, South African jazz legend Hugh Masekela
Hugh Masekela
Hugh Ramopolo Masekela is a South African trumpeter, flugelhornist, cornetist, composer, and singer.-Early life:Masekela was born in Kwa-Guqa Township, Witbank, South Africa. He began singing and playing piano as a child...
joined forces with the Queens for a special UK tour for November 2010. The main show was in London on 12 November 2010, at the Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall. The show was part of the London Jazz Festival in association with BBC Radio 3
BBC Radio 3
BBC Radio 3 is a national radio station operated by the BBC within the United Kingdom. Its output centres on classical music and opera, but jazz, world music, drama, culture and the arts also feature. The station is the world’s most significant commissioner of new music, and its New Generation...
, and was completely sold out.
Discography
The Mahotella Queens are prolific recording artists, dating back to their 100+ sides recorded under various names for Gallo-Mavuthela in the 1960s and the 1970s. The Queens remained with Gallo until 2005 when they left the company, to be brought under the wings of AS Entertainment (headed by former Gallo managing director Antos Stella). Despite the fact that the Queens have recorded phenomenally, only a handful of their South African recordings are available to purchase outside the country, as most have now been discontinued and not reissued, in spite of the rise of a small "crossover" audience in South Africa. Some older recordings have been made available on CD and the Internet in recent years, but the majority of available recordings made by the group has been material recorded for and aimed at the international market.External links
- Mahotella Queens on Afropop Worldwide