Ladysmith still the big daddy of SA vocal styles
Five-time Grammy winners Ladysmith Black Mambazo, who arrived home recently with their latest award, could not be happier with their accomplishments and waving the South African flag high.
The group walked away with the Grammy for Best World Music Album for Shaka Zulu Revisited: 30th Anniversary Celebration at the 60th edition of the awards held in Madison Square Garden, New York, on January 28.
After winning the Grammy, the group then went on to continue their US tour, returned to South Africa before heading to the UK, where they performed at Queen Elizabeth’s 92nd birthday celebration on Saturday night.
The group, formed in the early 1950s by Joseph Shabalala, has seen major success and continues to stay true to their roots while still remaining relevant in 2018.
Speaking of his father and early times, Thulani Shabalala recalled how Joseph would rehearse new music with him and his brothers.
“He would get us up at four in the morning and rehearse new songs he had written with us, before he would take it to his group. I was around 11 years old when this used to happen; we were basically his guinea pigs.
“Even during the day, if he saw that we were in the house or yard, he would say ‘oh you are here, come and help’, and I used to get annoyed because I wanted to go play with my friends. So often we would run away for the day and only ever come home to each lunch and go back to play,” he said.
Shabalala said that although he was not interested in music, his father was a major influence in him joining the group.
“My father is extremely gifted when it comes to his musical talents, he showed us at a very young age how to arrange music and write music, and eventually I started enjoying it and my brothers and I formed our own group and we would sing at weddings and other functions. When I look back now, I can see that that period was training for us,” said Shabalala.
The 50-year-old went on to join Ladysmith Black Mambazo in 1993 when he was 24. Although performing on stage came naturally to him, he admits there were a number of challenges.
“My first time out of the country was to New York City; we were performing in Madison Square Garden. I was scared, very scared.
“The buildings were so tall, it was very cold, it was my first time seeing snow, everything was very different. The worst part was having a hotel room all to myself. In my house, my brother and I shared a room. I enjoyed being on stage, but it was lonely when we were not performing,” he said.
He soon found his way though and has enjoyed his time with the group. Shabalala said that winning the Grammy was touching, but more special to the current members, because it is their first since he father retired.
“In 2014 my father gathered my three brothers and I and told us he was retiring. He prayed for us, blessed us and told us to take over. From 2015 to now, it has been a test for us to see if we can make it without him, and although it has been stressful, winning this Grammy means we are still relevant, even without my father, and we can continue with the legacy he started.”
He added that his father was extremely proud of their win and happy to see them on their return.
On staying relevant after 58 years in the industry, Shabalala said that the group’s music was “not a foreign concept to South Africans of any age” and originality was key: “It’s great to adapt and try new things but never forget where you are coming from”.
The group at the time also looked forward to performing at Queen Elizabeth’s birthday celebrations.
“It’s our third time performing for Queen Elizabeth and to have been considered again is delightful, a real honour. For us, it’s about representing South Africa and celebrating our art and culture.”