| Mahlathini And The Mahotella Queens |
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Information AboutMahlathini And The Mahotella Queens |
Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens (also known as '''Mahlathini Nezintombi Zomgqashiyo''' - '''Mahlathini and the Girls of Mgqashiyo''') was a South Africa n '' Mbaqanga '' Supergroup comprised of:
In 1998, band member West Nkosi was killed in road accident. Marks Mankwane and Mahlathini both died in early 1999, thus ending the group's existence. Despite this, the Mahotella Queens recruited brand new (younger) musicians in a new group line-up and continue performing and recording to this day, having released successful albums such as '' Sebai Bai '' (2001), '' Bazobuya '' (2004), '' Reign & Shine '' (2005) and '' Siyadumisa (Songs Of Praise) '' (2007). HISTORY Mahlathini, the Queens and the Makgona Tsohle Band had become famous as individual artists, but had frequently recorded together since 1964. It was only in 1986, when the demand for South African Music arose through Paul Simon 's '' Graceland '' album, that Gallo Record Company (the three artists' label) paired them together permanently. Mahlathini was known as the "Lion of Soweto " (his voice was a low, "gravel-like" groan) and had gained popularity throughout South Africa and neighboring countries (such as Zimbabwe and Botswana ) since 1964, when he was brought to Gallo by talent scout Rupert Bopape . He began recording with various session musicians such as Dark City Sisters , Mahotella Queens and Izintombi Zomgqashiyo , and was backed by the Makgona Tsohle Band . Mahotella Queens was initially a group of five female vocalists established in 1964 by Bopape, who introduced Hilda Tloubatla to sing the main lead vocals. The Queens began recording hit singles by themselves, occasionally adding guest artists such as Mahlathini or Robert "Mbazo" Mkhize. In 1971, Mahlathini signed with rival company EMI , and the original Queens split. Gallo brought together female groups Mthunzini Girls and Dima Sisters to form a new Mahotella Queens line-up, who most notably recorded the 1977 album '' Izibani Zomgqashiyo '' with Robert Mkhize (in the place of Mahlathini). In 1983, the original five members ( Hilda Tloubatla , Nobesuthu Mbadu , Mildred Mangxola , Juliet Mazamisa and Ethel Mngomezulu ) reunited with Mahlathini and the Makgona Tsohle Band with the comeback release '' Amaqhawe Omgqashiyo '' (Heroes of Mgqashiyo Music). After one more hiatus, three of the Queens (Hilda Tloubatla, Nobesuthu Mbadu and Mildred Mangxola) regrouped full-time in 1986. DISCOGRAPHY SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINKS |
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