Joseph Shabalala, the founder of the famed South African male choral group Ladysmith Black Mambazo has died at the age of 78.
Shabalala passed away in the Life Eugene Marais Hospital in Pretoria, South Africa. According to Loveable Vibes, the group’s manager Xolani Majoza said, “we have lost a leader of the family and of the group. As the family we are shocked and saddened.”
“He’s not been feeling well and we plead with the community and all the South Africans to pray for the family of Ladysmith Black Mambazo and the Shabalala family as they are facing this situation. He was referred early in the month around the 3rd of January.”
Joseph Shabalala was born in Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa in 1941. Growing up, he was noted for singing with the Durban choir, charming audiences with his soprano vocals and guitar skills.
By the age of 18, Shabalala had formed his own choral group called Ezimnyama, or “The Black Ones”. He had the group focus on weekly isicathamiya competitions – all-night, a cappella choir competitions.
Following a series of dreams the singer had, he decided to rename the group Ladysmith Black Mambazo. As “Mambazo” means “axe”, he was referring to how the group chopped down the competition by winning nearly every choral competition they were in.
Fame followed quickly for the group, as they received airplay via Radio Zulu. Soon after, Ladysmith Black Mambazo were offered a recording contract with Gallo Music which led to them selling over 40,000 copies of their first album, Amabutho.
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From there, the group became a household name with Paul Simon contacting Shabalala, wanting to include him in his Graceland album. Once they had collaborated together and produced their hit song ‘Homeless’, the group rapidly gained traction in the Western world of music.
From multiple awards and nominations, including an astounding five Grammy’s to their name, to a complex discography that spans over 50 years, the group has paved the way in terms of isicathamiya music.
Our thoughts are with Joseph Shabalala’s family, fellow musicians, and fans, at this time.
Check out ‘Homeless’ by Paul Simon featuring Ladysmith Black Mambazo:
