Ladysmith Black Mambazo, formed by Joseph Shabalala (1941 – 2020) in 1960 i… Read Full Bio ↴Ladysmith Black Mambazo, formed by Joseph Shabalala (1941 – 2020) in 1960 in Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, is a South African male choral group that sings in the vocal styles of isicathamiya and mbube. They rose to worldwide prominence as a result of singing with Paul Simon on his 1986 album Graceland, and have won multiple awards, including four Grammy Awards. They have become one of South Africa's most prolific recording artists, with their releases receiving gold and platinum disc honors, and have come to represent the traditional culture of South Africa. They are regarded as South Africa's cultural emissaries at home and around the world. 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 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. Having listened to a cassette of their music sent by a DJ based in Los Angeles, Simon was captivated by the stirring sound of bass, alto and tenor harmonies. Simon incorporated the traditional sounds of black South Africa into the Graceland album, a project regarded by many as seminal to today's explosive interest in World music
'60s Africa found the Zulu and Sotho beginning to incorporate the influences of African American R&B, jazz, and blues into their traditional, indigenous music. New styles such as township jazz, pennywhistle street music, Kwela, and marabi were formed. Eventually, these myriad styles coalesced to create a new hybrid pop music that came to be known as mbaqanga. Though mbaqanga employs the traditional instrumentation of Western pop (guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, and vocals), the approach to song structure and rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic phrasing is uniquely African.
Recorded between 1981 and 1984, THE INDESTRUCTIBLE BEAT OF SOWETO is the first (and arguably the best) of a slew of South African pop recordings that soon followed. Characterized by insistent, rhythmically complex beats, elastic, burbling basslines, tight, ska-sounding guitar accompaniment, and thick, multi-part vocals, this music is as intriguing as it is appealing. Groups with such names as Udokotela Shange Namajaha and Amaswazi Emvelo serve up bright, infectious melodies and percussively insistent tracks that are clearly intended for dancing.
It has been 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. Having listened to a cassette of their music sent by a DJ based in Los Angeles, Simon was captivated by the stirring sound of bass, alto and tenor harmonies. Simon incorporated the traditional sounds of black South Africa into the Graceland album, a project regarded by many as seminal to today's explosive interest in World music
'60s Africa found the Zulu and Sotho beginning to incorporate the influences of African American R&B, jazz, and blues into their traditional, indigenous music. New styles such as township jazz, pennywhistle street music, Kwela, and marabi were formed. Eventually, these myriad styles coalesced to create a new hybrid pop music that came to be known as mbaqanga. Though mbaqanga employs the traditional instrumentation of Western pop (guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, and vocals), the approach to song structure and rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic phrasing is uniquely African.
Recorded between 1981 and 1984, THE INDESTRUCTIBLE BEAT OF SOWETO is the first (and arguably the best) of a slew of South African pop recordings that soon followed. Characterized by insistent, rhythmically complex beats, elastic, burbling basslines, tight, ska-sounding guitar accompaniment, and thick, multi-part vocals, this music is as intriguing as it is appealing. Groups with such names as Udokotela Shange Namajaha and Amaswazi Emvelo serve up bright, infectious melodies and percussively insistent tracks that are clearly intended for dancing.
Mbube with Taj Mahal
Ladysmith Black Mambazo Lyrics
We have lyrics for these tracks by Ladysmith Black Mambazo:
(Nkosi Sikel'i - Africa) Shosholoza Nkosi Sikeleli Africa Malup hakanyiswu phondolwayo Yiswa imi…
Abantu Bayahlupheka Baba wethu Nkosi yamakhosi Mbusi wababusi Ngoba wena Ngoba w…
Abantwana Basethempeleni Thina singabantwana abancane abahlal' ethempeleni (Wo, yibo …
Abezizwe Ngeke Bayiqede You total disgrace I can’t seem to break this habit of lies…
African Alphabet A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J,…
Ain Ain't no sunshine when he's gone It's not warm when he's…
Akehlulek Ubaba Bayayazi yini bonk'abantu lendaba emnandi kangaka, madoda U…
Amazing Grace Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound That saved a wretch…
Angimboni Ofana Naye Ngizobe ngingedwa mina (Ngakho-ke mus' ukung'dukisa) Ukhona,…
At Golgotha At Golgotha - English translation I will cling to the old…
Be Still My Child if i never see my name on the tv if no…
Beautiful Rain Oh rain, oh rain Oh rain, oh rain, beautiful rain Don't dist…
Because I Love You Wang'thand' umuntu, madoda Wang'thand' umuntu (Wang'thanda,…
Black Is Beautiful I'm so glad (I'm glad) To have many friends black and whit…
Cabhayeye Wozani sizokudlal'ucabhayeye (Cabhayeye, cabhayeye) Wozani s…
Chain Gang I hear somethin' sayin' (Hooh! aah!) (hooh! aah!) (Hooh! aa…
Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes (a-wa) O kodwa you zo-nge li-sa namhlange (a-wa a-wa) Si-bon…
Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes with Paul Simon (A-wa) O kodwa u zo-nge li-sa namhlange (A-wa a-wa) Si-bona …
Finger Dance These are the names of fingers Sing la la la These are…
Gnamale GNAMALE GNAMALE Minian ye balamina koungo lo – A bala djougo…
Golgotha Golgotha Ngizobambelela kusona (Isiphambano) Ngize ngizuz' …
Halala South Africa Sake saluthwal' usizi Sake sakuwona, sakubeletha, thina Sak…
Halleluya I'm so glad (I'm glad) To have many friends black and white …
Hallo My Baby Hey baby Hey beautiful girl Hey baby hey Sing hey baby hey …
Hello My Baby (Remastered) Hello My Baby Hey baby Hey beautiful girl Hey baby hey Sing…
Hlala Nami Hlala nami vwena Hlala nami Wo mina ngicel′ uhlale nam Khon'…
Homeless Emaweni webaba Silale maweni Webaba silale maweni Webaba sil…
How Long How long baby How long should I wait for you How long…
I As you go through life you'll see There is so much…
I Love Jesus Wang'thand' umuntu, madoda Wang'thand' umuntu (Wang'thanda,…
I'll Take You There Aaaaah, haaa I know a place Ain't nobody cryin' Ain't nobody…
Ibhubesi Asambeni, we bafana Masambeni Siyobon' ibhubesi laseNyakath…
Ikhaya Lamaqhawe Kukhon' ikhaya lamaqhawe anqobile Kuhala abancwele bodwa lap…
Imbongi Lalelani weh madoda Imbongi yethu thina nguMakhiwe nguMah (M…
Imbongolo Woza siyosebenza iweh mngane wami Woza siyosebenza iweh mnga…
Inkanyezi Nezazi Kuye kwamemeza baprofethi emandulo Kumemeza abantu abadala k…
Inkanyezi Nezazi {Music from the Heinz Comme Kuye kwamemeza baprofethi emandulo Kumemeza abantu abadala …
Inkanyezi Nezazi (Star and the Wiseman) Kuye kwamemeza baprofethi emandulo Kumemeza abantu abadala k…
Introduction Wisdom of the ancients The walls of Jericho Destroyed by the…
Iphel' Emasini Yenza komunye mnganami Njengoba naw′ ufuna kwenziwe kuwe, mn…
Isimanga Salomhlaba Hayi, isimanga salom'hlaba Wena ungaphiki nokom'hlaba Wen' u…
Ithemba lakho Noma (Nom'uyazi) Kodw'awukakazi lutho Ngob'awukakamazi UNkul…
Izithembiso Zenkosi (Izithembiso zeNkosi zimi phakathi zona) (Wawu qinisa ngegaz…
Kanje Kanje Imithi igoba kahle Ithi, ithi Kunyakaz'amahlamvu Kanje, kanj…
Kanye Nawe Nkosiyami Kanye nawe Nkosi yami Kanye nawe Nkosi yami Mangihamb′imihla…
Khayelihle Khaya Lami Khayelihle Khayelihle Ikhaya lami Mangingene Esangweni Mangi…
King of Kings Oh, King of kings King of kings We kneel before you, Father,…
Knockin Lord take this badge off of me I can't use…
Knocking on Heaven Mama, take this badge off of me I can't use it…
Knocking on Heaven's Door Mama, take this badge off of me I can't use it…
Knocking on Heaven's Door Mama, take this badge off of me I can't use it…
Knocking On Heaven's Door with Dolly Parton Lord take this badge off of me I can′t use it…
Knocking On Heavens Door Mama, take this badge off of me I can't use it…
Knocking On Heaven’s Door (with Dolly Parton) Lord take this badge off of me I can't use it…
Kuyafundw' Osizini Wena Lembe eleq′ amanye amalembe Ufundephi wena? Leso sikolo…
Lelilungelo Ngelakho Umunt'ongazi ucabang'ukuth'uyazi Kanti akazi lutho Owaziyo (…
Let's Do It Asiyenzeni bafana bendawo ipolitiki Bafana bendawo ibe ngumd…
Lindelani Lindelani Lindelani, kwehla phezulu njengemvula Yek’ emafin…
Liph' Ithemba Lakho Noma (Nom'uyazi) Kodw'awukakazi lutho Ngob'awukakamazi UNkul…
Lomhalaba Kawunoni Lomhlaba kawunoni madoda Lomhlaba kawunoni madoda Nbokuthath…
Lomhlaba Kawunoni Oh Nana oh Nana Nana Ooooh baby basi hujui tu mi…
Lomhlaba Kawunoni (The Earth Never Gets Fat) Lomhlaba Kawunoni (The Earth Never Gets Fat) Lomhlaba kawun…
Love Your Neighbor Thand' umakhelwane wakho Love your neighbour Love your nei…
Lungisa Indela Yakho Ziyam'phelel' izinsuk' umuntu emhlabeni, madoda Xwaya, mtan…
Mbube A family lived close to the jungle At the end of…
Mhlangidinwa Ngikhathele Mhlangidinwa ngikhathele Ungigcine nkosi Mhla ithemba lincip…
Mus' Ukumbulal' Umuntu Ungabom’ bulal’ umuntu Mus’ ukum’ bulal’ umfowenu Ungabow’k…
New York City Sivule savala Sivule saval'emasangweni Sivule savala Sivule…
Ngelekelele Ngelekelele we mnta kababa Ngelekelele we mnta kababa Ngele…
Nkosi Sikel'i Nkosi Sikeleli Africa Malup hakanyiswu phondolwayo Yiswa imi…
Nkosi Sikelel Shosholoza Ku lezontaba Stimela si qhamuka e south africa …
Nkosi Sikelel 'Iafrica Nkosi sikelel'i-Afrika Maluphakanyisw'udumo lwayo Yizwa imit…
Nkosi Yama Khosi Khulekani zinsizwa nangu umntwana Bow soldiers here is the k…
Nomathemba Wangishiya ngingedw' uNomathemba Lokho-ke (Lokho k'yangiman…
Nomyekelo Weh Nomyekelo (Aho, aho) (Aho, aho, aho) (Aho, aho) (Aho, ah…
O Happy Day Oh happy day (oh happy day) Oh happy day (oh happy…
O Mmu Beno Mmu Ommu beno mmu uma bengahlangana angaphatheka kabi usathane U…
Ofana Naye nao posso comtinuar me afundando se nao posso tela pra que…
Oh Happy Day Oh happy day (oh happy day) Oh happy day (oh happy…
Oh Happy Day With Betty Griffin Whoa, Black Betty (Bam-ba-Lam) Whoa, Black Betty (Bam-ba-Lam…
Oh Happy Days Oh happy day (oh happy day) Oh happy day (oh happy…
Once in a Blue Moon Wishing we could choose our own landscape Wishing me and…
Once in a Blue Moon (Feat. The Lighthouse Family) Wishing we could choose our own landscape Wishing me and you…
Paparam Vingo Weh mfana (Vinqo) Uph'unyoko (Vinqo) Usal'ekhaya (Vinqo) Us…
Passage to Promise Let's Go To Tahiti Let's go to Tahiti Let's go to…
Peace Be With You Hambani kahle Ukuthula makube kini Hambani (Hambani kahle) (…
People Get Ready Lindelani Lindelani, kwehla phezulu njengemvula Yek’ emafin…
People Get Ready with Phoebe Snow People get ready There's a train a-coming You don't need no …
Prince Of Peace Pray - pray - pray to the prince of Peace Pray…
Rain Oh rain, oh rain Oh rain, oh rain, beautiful rain Don't dist…
Rain Chant Cabhayeye, cabhayeye Uzokhula nini Ngizokhula kusasa Cabhaye…
Rain Rain Beautiful Rain Oh rain, oh rain Oh rain, oh rain, beautiful rain Don't dist…
Rain, Rain, Beautiful Rain Oh, rain, oh, rain Oh, rain, oh, rain Beautiful rain Don't d…
River of Dreams In the middle of the night I go walking in my…
Shabalala Ncintincinti Amathole ayamunya Koonina Weh bafana nikuphi na…
Shosholoza Shosholoza Ku lezontaba Stimela si qhamuka e south africa Sh…
Sisesiqhingini Abadhala, mfana Abadhala bakhala ngabancan' (Maye) Bathi ba…
Sohlabelelu Hosana You total disgrace I can’t seem to break this habit of lies…
Swing Low Sweet Chariot Swing low, sweet chariot, Coming for to carry me home, Swing…
The Lion Sleeps Tonight A family lived close to the jungle At the end of…
The Star and the Wiseman Kuye kwamemeza baprofethi emandulo Kumemeza abantu abadala k…
There Come Our Mothers Yes, when the rains finally come and the food grows…
This Is The Way We Do Ekuhluphekeni kwami Ngathi ngihamba ngahlangabezana Nothando…
Thula Thula Thula, thula mama Thula, thula wena sithando sami Wena ukhal…
Township Jive Isuke makhaya lendaba kwamangala bazali, bathi Engabe kwenze…
Tribute Great, great grand pa please hold on Don't let your heart…
Two Shelleni Ngaze ngahamba, ngahamba weh ma (Two Shelleni) Ngaze ngafik'…
Umon' Usuk' Esweni Mona mona usuk esweni umona Mona mona uzal′ Ingculaz' umona …
Umusa Kankulunkulu Wozumbamb' (Wozumbambezele, l'yoshon' ilanga) Zonelani, ubuh…
Unomathemba Wangishiyelani Nomathemba Wangishiya ngingedw' uNomathemba (…
Upendi There's a place where the crazy moon Makes the monkeys sing…
Vela Nsizwa We Ntombi unecala awuzinikanga izinsizwa ithuba lokweshela. …
Vuka Bongani, bongani (Bongani, bongani) Bongani kuSomandla Bonga…
Vulani Ringi Ring Vulani ringi ringi Vulani ringi you boys and girls Vulani ri…
wawusho kubani Khulumelani Ukhulumelani kabi kodwa ngamagama abanye abantu…
We Are One As you go through life you'll see There is so much…
We Nhiziyo Yami We nhliziyo yami Mawuhlakaniphe Zikuhaq' izitha zakho Zivuke…
Weeping I knew a man who lived in fear It was huge,…
Wenyukela Kusukel' ekuqaleni (Kusukel' ekuqaleni) Mina bengizoyiphila …
Who Were You Talking To Khulumelani Ukhulumelani kabi kodwa ngamagama abanye abantu…
World in Union There’s a dream, I feel So rare,so real All the world in…
Yibo Labo Anibosibheka thina zinsizwa Anibosibheka, usho thina, anibos…
Yinhle Lentombi Yinhle le ntombi, madoda Yinhle, yinhle le ntombi, madoda Is…
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@user-vk3bu8ox4g
Coming to Ameriica made me search for this song, and now I listen to every song by Ladysmith Black Mambazo. My favorite song is Tough times never last. Much love from Nairobi kenya
@MANEJ1990
Africa is authentic. We feel so blessed and proud to have been so much gifted by God
@odonovan
Thank you for this part of your soul, Solomon Linda!
@thomastarwater6035
Finally! I’m hearing the long version of the song that was heard over the opening credits of “Coming To America” with Eddie Murphy. That’s some awesome singing! 🎶
@user-zr5tz5vs8r
Wonderful music bringing back old memories RIP Shabalala Mushengu
@babylion-375
Hello Sir! My name is EunBin Lee, a university student from South Korea who studied in UCT for a semester as an exchange student. I am majoring in African Studies and I love introducing culture, music, and must-go-places of Africa to Koreans. I recently made a music review video with my SA friends who major in Music in UCT, We discussed SA history by watching historically famous SA music in chronological order and this video was one the videos we watched together. I am commenting here to get your approval on using this video for about 30 seconds in the review video...I will not use the video if you do not approve, but I really hope that more people in my country would watch and enjoy this song and would know more about South Africa! <3
@williammitchell5201
you may be able to use the 30 second segment for your video under "fair use" laws.
@babylion-375
@@williammitchell5201 Thank you! I will make sure to inform in my video on where exactly I got the source!
@sunshine7979
❤🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦
@shaldana
Dunno what it is about African music and LBM. I'm white as white can be (Irish/English) and somehow, their music digs in to my soul and I can't help but close my eyes and picture skies I've never seen.