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,…
south african music
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…
Music
Mango Groove: the mixed-race South African band that defied apartheid with kwela pop
Formed in Johannesburg in the mid-1980s, Mango Groove brought together Black and white musicians at a time when…
Music
Spokes Mashiyane and kwela: the pennywhistle music of 1950s South Africa
Kwela, a lively style played on the cheap tin pennywhistle, filled South Africa's townships and streets in the…
Music
Ray Phiri: the Stimela guitarist who played on Paul Simon’s Graceland
Ray Phiri, born in Mpumalanga, led the South African band Stimela and became one of the country's most…
Music
Sibongile Khumalo: South Africa’s first lady of song, from jazz to opera
Sibongile Khumalo, born in Soweto in 1957, was one of South Africa's most versatile singers, moving between jazz,…
Music
Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse: the Soweto musician behind Burn Out
Sipho "Hotstix" Mabuse, born in Soweto in 1951, played drums with the band Harari before becoming a solo…
Music
Maskandi: the Zulu guitar music born on the road between village and mine
Maskandi is a Zulu guitar music that grew among migrant workers travelling between rural KwaZulu-Natal and the mines…
Music
Kabza De Small: the Pretoria producer crowned king of amapiano
Kabza De Small, born Kabelo Petrus Motha in 1992, broke through with "Umshove" in 2018. With DJ Maphorisa…
Music
Busi Mhlongo: the queen of maskandi who took a male tradition and made it hers
Busi Mhlongo, born in Inanda in 1947, began her career with a 1963 South African hit version of…