Music
Boom Shaka and Lebo Mathosa: the kwaito group that shocked and thrilled 1990s South Africa
Boom Shaka, formed in the early 1990s, was one of kwaito's pioneering groups. Its lead singer, Lebo Mathosa,…
kwaito
Music
Mandoza and Nkalakatha: the kwaito hit that crossed South Africa’s colour lines
In 2000, Soweto kwaito star Mandoza released Nkalakatha, a thunderous anthem that topped charts and was played at…
Arts + Culture
Gqom: the raw, bass-heavy sound that came out of Durban’s townships
Gqom emerged in Durban's townships in the early 2010s, built on minimal, repetitive beats and heavy bass. Pioneers…
Music
Bongo Maffin, Zabalaza and “King Tha”: Thandiswa Mazwai
Thandiswa Mazwai, born in 1976 and known as King Tha, was the lead vocalist and songwriter of the…
Arts + Culture
Kwaito was the sound of freedom in 1990s Soweto: slowed-down house, township slang and swagger
Kwaito emerged in the townships of Johannesburg in the early 1990s, as apartheid ended. Built on slowed-down house…