Mhlongo has worked with other top African folk / pop artists, like Hugh Masekela, Dr. Philip Tabane, Mabe Thobejane, and many legends - Robert "Doc" Mthalane making meticulously produced, melodic and modern South African music.
Her work also spans more urban styles, with several tracks on URBANZULU being remixed for the dancefloor.
In 2000, Busi scooped three awards at the FNB South African Music Awards for BEST FEMALE ARTIST, BEST ADULT CONTEMPORARY ALBUM (AFRICA), and BEST AFRICAN POP ALBUM. Busi has since also scored a KORA award and MELT has released a compilation called INDIZA with two new tracks produced by Brice Wassy and a series of remixes by Club 3.30.
The first South African music Benefit concert was held by South African Broadcasting Corporation to celebrate Busi's birthday and raise fund for her hospital bills. Busi has been diagnosed with Cancer and is undergoing treatment. President Thabo Mbheki was one of the Honourable guests.
Her album URBANZULU, is the very first time that Maskanda has been expressed by a Zulu woman commercially to an international audience.
Busi Mhlongo died on June 15, 2010 of breast cancer http://mg.co.za/article/2010-06-16-busi-mhlongo-queen-of-modern-zulu-music-dead-at-62
Oxamu
Busi Mhlongo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bexabana ngengxoxo
Bexakwe ingxuba ‘xaka
Kwaxabana oxam’
Bexabana ngengxoxo
Bexakwe ingxuba ‘xaka
Bexabana ngengxoxo
Bexakwe ingxuba ‘xaka
Hey, kwaxabana oxam’
Bexabana ngengxoxo
Bexakwe ingxuba ‘xaka
Hayi-ke-le-gqi qheya
Laqing’ eqhingeni
Beliqhatha, liqhatha, ngeqhotho leqhude
Hayi-ke-le-gqi qheya
Laqing’ eqhingeni
Beliqhatha, liqhatha, ngeqhotho leqhude
Hayi-ke-le-gqi qheya
Laqing’ eqhingeni
Beliqhatha, liqhatha, ngeqhotho leqhude
Hayi-ke-le-gqi qheya
Laqing’ eqhingeni
Beliqhatha, liqhatha, ngeqhotho leqhude
Hayi-ke-le-gqi qheya
Laqing’ eqhingeni
Beliqhatha, liqhatha, ngeqhotho leqhude
Hayi-ke-le-gqi qheya
Laqing’ eqhingeni
Oh, hey liqhatha, liqhatha, ngeqhotho leqhude
Hayi-ke-le-gqi qheya
Laqing’ eqhingeni
Qha-qhatha, liqhatha, ngeqhotho leqhude
Qha-qhatha, liqhatha, ngeqhotho leqhude
Beliqhatha, liqhatha, ngeqhotho leqhude
Oh, liqhatha, liqhatha, ngeqhotho leqhude
Yeah, liqhatha, liqhatha, ngeqhotho leqhude
The song "Oxamu" by Busi Mhlongo is a celebration of traditional Zulu oral practices - specifically, the art of storytelling. The repetitive chorus "Kwaxabana oxam', Bexabana ngengxoxo, Bexakwe ingxuba 'xaka" can be translated to mean "They were talking about the story, they were talking in riddles, they planted a seed in the heart." This emphasizes the significance of storytelling in Zulu culture, and how it can be used to impart wisdom and knowledge to future generations.
The verses of the song focus on the different elements of storytelling, such as the use of metaphor and riddles ("beliqhatha, liqhatha, ngeqhotho leqhude") and the importance of listening and paying attention ("Hayi-ke-le-gqi qheya, laqing' eqhingeni"). The song has a lively, upbeat tempo that reflects the joy and energy of storytelling as a communal activity.
Overall, "Oxamu" celebrates the power of storytelling as a way to preserve cultural traditions and pass down knowledge from generation to generation. It also emphasizes the importance of active listening and engagement in order to fully appreciate the messages being conveyed.
Line by Line Meaning
Kwaxabana oxam’
People are talking
Bexabana ngengxoxo
They are discussing gossip
Bexakwe ingxuba ‘xaka
All of it is about one specific secret
Hey, kwaxabana oxam’
Hey, people are talking
Bexabana ngengxoxo
They are discussing gossip
Bexakwe ingxuba ‘xaka
All of it is about one specific secret
Hayi-ke-le-gqi qheya
Don't get me involved
Laqing’ eqhingeni
It's too dangerous
Beliqhatha, liqhatha, ngeqhotho leqhude
They are whispering, whispering, in a hushed voice
Hayi-ke-le-gqi qheya
Don't get me involved
Laqing’ eqhingeni
It's too dangerous
Beliqhatha, liqhatha, ngeqhotho leqhude
They are whispering, whispering, in a hushed voice
Hayi-ke-le-gqi qheya
Don't get me involved
Laqing’ eqhingeni
It's too dangerous
Beliqhatha, liqhatha, ngeqhotho leqhude
They are whispering, whispering, in a hushed voice
Hayi-ke-le-gqi qheya
Don't get me involved
Laqing’ eqhingeni
It's too dangerous
Beliqhatha, liqhatha, ngeqhotho leqhude
They are whispering, whispering, in a hushed voice
Hayi-ke-le-gqi qheya
Don't get me involved
Laqing’ eqhingeni
It's too dangerous
Oh, hey liqhatha, liqhatha, ngeqhotho leqhude
Oh, hey they are whispering, whispering, in a hushed voice
Qha-qhatha, liqhatha, ngeqhotho leqhude
Shh, they are whispering, whispering, in a hushed voice
Qha-qhatha, liqhatha, ngeqhotho leqhude
Shh, they are whispering, whispering, in a hushed voice
Beliqhatha, liqhatha, ngeqhotho leqhude
They are whispering, whispering, in a hushed voice
Oh, liqhatha, liqhatha, ngeqhotho leqhude
Oh, they are whispering, whispering, in a hushed voice
Yeah, liqhatha, liqhatha, ngeqhotho leqhude
Yeah, they are whispering, whispering, in a hushed voice
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: SELLO TWALA SELLO TWALA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mondekamabibini4160
Beliqhatha liqhatha ngeqhotho leqhude
nithi belenzan belenzann
Iqhinga eqhingeni
Qhi qhi qhi qhi qhiiiing eqhingeni
ayke lee gqi iqhing eqhingeni
hay liqatha
Qha qha qha liqhatha ngeqhudeeeeee
leli qheye leliqheya liyanqhathaa
woooh mama Busie rest in peace qhawekazi
@reneiloenyepele948
I love you so much Busi..listening to you on my first hour of 2023...I miss your magical performances Queen..May you continue to rest in peace🙏
@sedibedimpho7583
2022 I’m here getting goosebumps from this amazing performance 😌
@tshepangmokgara992
It pains me that i never got to see this magical performer Live..........what an amazing talent Mam Busi was
@bm.mot.1074
I mean.... this is poetry.. this is the scariest scale of consciousness.... Forever love Busi
@cindymathe2391
Can't believe she was my mentor for years before she died.
@refilwemogale3596
The most talented female vocalist of all time… blessed beyond measure…
@PeterMosley
Love this woman. Brightened my life knowing her. Peace and love, peace and love you magnificent Zulu Warrior Goddess!
@siphokazingxito5092
A song by Mirriam Makeba. She must have been so proud... ooxam. May their souls RIP
@jeromelj1010
I've held that stick in her hand. Blessed to have met this legend
@mthunzimhlongo660
YOU WERE BLESSED