Ladysmith Black Mambazo

Ladysmith Black Mambazo is a chorus from South Africa that is noted for singing a cappella mbube music. They rose to worldwide prominence as a result of singing with Paul Simon on his album, Graceland

Ladysmith Black Mambazo is a chorus from South Africa that is noted for singing a cappella mbube music. They rose to worldwide prominence as a result of singing with Paul Simon on his album, Graceland.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo was formed as a result of a dream that Joseph Shabalala had in 1964, in which he heard particular harmonies. He recruited friends and family to form the group, and taught them the harmonies he had heard. The group entered and won many singing contests. They were so good that they were eventually forbidden to enter the competitions but were welcomed to entertain at them. Although they had been recognised as an isicathamiya group in 1964, they had been singing together since the early 1950's.