Ladysmith Black Mambazo represents the traditional culture of South Africa and is regarded as the country's cultural emissary at home and around the world. In 1993, at Nelson Mandela's request, Ladysmith Black Mambazo accompanied the future President to the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo, Norway. Mambazo sang again at President Mandela's inauguration in May of 1994. They are a national treasure of the new South Africa in part because they embody the traditions suppressed in the old South Africa.
It has been over twenty years since Paul Simon made his initial trip to South Africa and met Joseph Shabalala, and the other members of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, in a recording studio in Johannesburg. Simon was captivated by the stirring sound of bass, alto and tenor harmonies and incorporated these traditional sounds into the "Graceland" album, a project regarded by many as seminal to today's explosive interest in World Music.
The traditional music sung by Ladysmith Black Mambazo is called ISICATHAMIYA (Is-Cot-A-Me-Ya). It was born in the mines of South Africa. Black workers were taken by rail to work far away from their homes and their families. Poorly housed and paid worse, they would entertain themselves, after a six-day week, by singing songs into the wee hours every Sunday morning. Cothoza Mfana they called themselves, "tip toe guys", referring to the dance steps choreographed so as to not disturb the camp security guards. When miners returned to the homelands, the tradition returned with them. There began a fierce, but social, competition held regularly and a highlight of everyone's social calendar. The winners were awarded a goat for their efforts and, of course, the adoration of their fans. These competitions are held even today in YMCA assembly halls and church basements throughout Zululand South Africa.
In the late 1950's Joseph Shabalala took advantage of his proximity to the urban sprawl of the city of Durban, allowing him the opportunity to seek work in a factory. Leaving the family farm was not easy, but it was during this time that Joseph first showed a talent for singing. After singing with several groups in Durban he returned to his hometown of Ladysmith and began to put together groups of his own.
A radio broadcast in 1970 brought about their first record contract. Since then the group has recorded over forty albums, selling over seven million records at home and abroad, establishing themselves as the number one selling group from Africa. Their work with Paul Simon on the "Graceland" album attracted a world of fans that never knew that the sounds of Zulu harmony could be so captivating.
Their first album release for the United States, "Shaka Zulu", was produced by Simon and won the Grammy Award in 1987 for Best Traditional Folk Recording. Since then they have been nominated for a Grammy Award eleven additional times. In 2005 they were awarded their second Grammy Award, for Best Traditional World Music Recording, for the release "Raise Your Spirit Higher." Their most recent release, "Long Walk To Freedom", was nominated for two Grammy Awards in 2007.
Not yet released is the group's next CD. Titled "ILEMBE: A Tribute To King Shaka" the recording returns the group to it's traditional singing style they have long been known for. The recording will be released later this year in Europe and early next year in the USA. It is available in South Africa now.
The group has recorded with numerous artists from around the world besides Paul Simon. Some of these include Stevie Wonder, Josh Groban, Dolly Parton, Ben Harper, Mavis Staples, Andreas Vollenweider, The Wynans, The Coors and George Clinton. Their film work includes a featured
appearance in Michael Jackson's video "Moonwalker" and Spike Lee's "Do It A Cappella". Black Mambazo has provided soundtrack material for Disney's "The Lion King Part II", Eddie Murphy's "Coming To America", Marlon Brando's "A Dry White Season", James Earl Jones' "Cry The Beloved Country" and Sean Connery's "League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen". They also can be heard singing the theme song to a children's tv show, in the USA, called "Land Before Time."
Their list of advertising appearances include award winning commercials for 7 Up and Life Savers Candy, as well as an "on camera" appearance for an IBM television campaign, "Solutions For a Small Planet". In 1999 Heinz Beans UK used a Mambazo song for a television advert that was so popular it helped the group's CD, at that time, sell over one million copies.
Mambazo has worked in the theatre as well. In 1992 the Steppenwolf Theatre Company of Chicago used the group's singing and acting abilities in a play written about the apartheid era. After first premiering in Chicago, "The Song of Jacob Zulu" opened on Broadway in New York City in the spring of '93 and was nominated for six TONY AWARDS including Best Music for a Play. Joseph and the group also were honoured with the prestigious Drama Desk Award for Best Original Score.
In 1995 Ladysmith Black Mambazo collaborated in the staging of "Nomathemba", a musical based on the first song ever written by Joseph Shabalala. "Nomathemba" was performed in Chicago, where it was awarded Best Original Musical Score. "Nomathemba" went on to perform runs at Washington D.C.'s Kennedy Center and Boston's Schubert Theatre.
The group has been invited to perform at many special occasions. One event, at the special invitation of President Mandela, was to perform for the Queen of England and the Royal Family at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Meeting the Queen, as well as other members of the Royal Family, was a stirring moment for the group. As Joseph later said, "To think of all the people we have met over the years. People from North America, Europe, Asia, Australia. Presidents, dignitaries, movie stars, and now the Queen of England. It is quite a dream for a Zulu South African to dream."
The group has also performed at two Nobel Peace Prize Ceremonies, a performance for Pope John Paul II, South African Presidential inaugurations, the 1996 Summer Olympics, and many musical award shows from around the world.
In the summer of 2002 Black Mambazo was again asked to represent their nation, in London, for a celebration for Queen Elizabeth II's 50th Anniversary as Monarch. Dubbed "The Party at the Palace," Ladysmith Black Mambazo joined with Eric Clapton, Rod Stewart, Phil Collins and Sir Paul McCartney on The Beatles song's "Hey Jude" and "All You Need Is Love."