Mahlathini was known as the "Lion of Soweto" (his voice was a low, "gravel-like" groan) and was well known throughout South Africa and neighboring countries such as Zimbabwe and Botswana during his career. He began singing in the 1950s, often working in conjunction with top producer Rupert Bopape at EMI South Africa, and often performing with the girl group the Dark City Sisters. When Bopape moved to Gallo Record Company in 1964 to start up the new African subsidiary, Mavuthela Music, he brought Mahlathini with him. The bass vocalist's career then took off. He was backed by Bopape's newly-formed Makgona Tsohle Band (soon to become the hardest-working mbaqanga session team in the country, led by the country's electric guitar pioneer Marks Mankwane as well as saxophone star West Nkosi) and often recorded with Bopape's newly-formed (and highly-successful) Mahotella Queens.
Mahotella Queens was initially a group of five female vocalists established at the Mavuthela division in 1964 by Bopape, who introduced Hilda Tloubatla to sing the main lead vocals. The Queens began recording hit singles and albums with their backing, the Makgona Tsohle Band, and were often fronted by Mahlathini. In 1971, Mahlathini signed with rival company EMI, and the original Queens all ended up joining rival girl groups. Bopape formed a new Mahotella Queens line-up, who most notably recorded the 1977 album Izibani Zomgqashiyo with Robert "Mbazo" Mkhize (in the place of Mahlathini). In 1983, the original five Queens (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.
Lilizela Mlilizeli
Mahlathini & The Mahotella Queens Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Izintombi zoMgqashiyo
Kwathul'umoya ke(Kwathul'umoya)
Zangena, zangena, zangena
Izintombi zoMgqashiyo
Kwathul'umoya (Kwathul'umoya)
Izintombi zoMgqashiyo
Kwathul'umoya ke (Kwathul'umoya)
Lilizela mlilizeli
Lilizela mlilizeli
Lilizela mlilizeli
Lilizela
Lilizela mlilizeli (Lilizela)
Lilizela mlilizeli (Lilizela)
Lilizela mlilizeli (Lilizela)
Lilizela (Lilizela)
Lilizela mlilizeli (Lilizela)
Lilizela mlilizeli (Lilizela)
Lilizela mlilizeli (Lilizela)
Lilizela (Lilizela)
Zagiya, zagiya, zagiya
Izintombi zoMgqashiyo
Uyakhuluma wena? Uyabulabula?
(Kwathul'umoya)
Zagiya, zagiya, zagiya
Izintombi zoMgqashiyo
Uyakhuluma wena? Uyacamtha na?
(Kwathul'umoya)
Zagiya, zagiya, zagiya
Izintombi zoMgqashiyo
Uyakhuluma wena? Are you talking?
(Kwathul'umoya)
Ake nizwe nje
Izinsizwa zethu
Imakgona tlohle
Zeziginci yayo
ezivusa usinga
Leliqembu lizonishiya nikhathele
Zagiya, zagiya, zagiya
Izintombi zoMgqashiyo
Uyakhuluma wena? Uyabulabula?
(Kwathul'umoya)
Zagiya, zagiya, zagiya
Izintombi zoMgqashiyo
Uyakhuluma wena? Uyacamtha na?
(Kwathul'umoya)
Zagiya, zagiya, zagiya
Izintombi zoMgqashiyo
Uyakhuluma wena? Are you talking?
(Kwathul'umoya)
With Mgqashiyo sound
We will never
Never go wrong (We will never go wrong)
With Mgqashiyo sound
We will never (Never, never, never)
Never go wrong (We will never go wrong)
With Mgqashiyo sound
We will never (Never)
Never go wrong (We will never go wrong)
With Mgqashiyo sound
We will never (Never, never, never)
Never go wrong
Lilizela mlilizeli (Lilizela)
Lilizela mlilizeli (Lilizela)
Lilizela mlilizeli (Lilizela)
Lilizela (Lilizela)
Lilizela mlilizeli (Lilizela)
Lilizela mlilizeli (Lilizela)
Lilizela mlilizeli (Lilizela)
Lilizela
Lilizela mlilizeli (Lilizela)
Lilizela mlilizeli (Lilizela)
Lilizela mlilizeli (Lilizela)
Lilizela (Lilizela)
The song "Lilizela Mlilizeli" by Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens is a spirited and upbeat celebration of the Mgqashiyo sound, a style of music that originated in South Africa in the mid-20th century. The lyrics begin with a call to action, as the singers encourage a group of young women (izintombi) to join in the music and feel the energy of the Mgqashiyo sound. The repetition of the phrase "kwathul'umoya" underscores the idea that this music has the power to move people and energize a crowd.
As the song progresses, the singers urge the women to dance and revel in the joy of the music. The chorus, "Lilizela mlilizeli," is a phrase that is both catchy and celebratory, and it serves to reinforce the idea that the Mgqashiyo sound is something special and worth celebrating. The repeating lines "zagiya, zagiya, zagiya" are a call-and-response, with the singers encouraging the young women to participate and enjoy themselves.
Later in the song, the lyrics take on a more reflective tone, as the singers proclaim that with the Mgqashiyo sound, they will never go wrong. This sentiment underscores the idea that this style of music is not just about having fun, but also about celebrating something meaningful and enduring. Despite the challenges and obstacles of life, the Mgqashiyo sound remains a constant source of joy and inspiration.
Line by Line Meaning
Zangena, zangena, zangena
Come in, come in, come in
Izintombi zoMgqashiyo
The girls of Mgqashiyo
Kwathul'umoya ke(Kwathul'umoya)
The spirit has been lifted
Lilizela mlilizeli
Dance, dance
Lilizela
Dance
Zagiya, zagiya, zagiya
Come on, come on, come on
Uyakhuluma wena? Uyabulabula?
Are you talking? Are you just babbling?
Uyacamtha na?
Are you serious?
Ake nizwe nje
Just listen
Izinsizwa zethu
Our young men
Imakgona tlohle
All the in-laws
Zeziginci yayo
Its children
ezivusa usinga
Wake us up
Leliqembu lizonishiya nikhathele
This group will never leave us alone
With Mgqashiyo sound
With the Mgqashiyo (music) sound
We will never
We won't
Never go wrong
Make a mistake
Lilizela mlilizeli (Lilizela)
Dance, dance (Dance)
Lilizela mlilizeli (Lilizela)
Dance, dance (Dance)
Lilizela (Lilizela)
Dance (Dance)
Lilizela mlilizeli (Lilizela)
Dance, dance (Dance)
Lilizela mlilizeli (Lilizela)
Dance, dance (Dance)
Lilizela mlilizeli (Lilizela)
Dance, dance (Dance)
Lilizela (Lilizela)
Dance (Dance)
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ezz869
Wow my late grandfather love the song 😢
@NomalizoHelebe
I'll neva forget this group fo as lon as am ALIVE WOOOW what a time to be alive maan ntate simon❤❤❤
@DaSageBlaze
No lie one of my grandfather's favourite South African artists 😊😊😊 me in corner dancing 😅😅 sweet memories
@muzikayiseNgubane-gf3rt
Siyabonga ukusigcinela omama bethu nobaba uNkabinde
@StanleyGopito-vk5xi
Pure music.
Music is all about the lead guitar, rithym guitar, bass guitar, keyboard. Controllable drums, and melodical voices.
Can you imagine this song was produced in the late 1960s
@tumphukayahua6773
.... That's true
@kasinje71
I now see Dad, dancing. Thanks Guys!!
@lebohangmogashoa8218
THE LEAD GUITAR DRIVES ME CRAZY AND I AM IN TEARS OF JOY. THANKS VERY MUCH TO THE LATE BABA NKABINDE MAHLATHUNI AND THE LOVELY MAHOTELLA QUEENS❤❤❤❤❤❤ 4:12
@mawelalegae6039
Halalala!!🎉🎉🎉💃💃I miss my granny ❤❤❤thank you 🙏
@winstonmcintosher2702
I worship you for posting this whole album👏👏