New sound for a capella music
Thee Legacy bring hip and cool to scathamiya genre
Contemporary scathamiya group Thee Legacy is taking the African traditional music genre to another level with its modernised sound.
The five-member acappella group rose to stardom after winning the inaugural Sing Off South Africa 2015 a cappella music competition.
Since then, their popular hit track Wena Wedwa has been dominating the charts and opening doors for them.
Their self-titled album released through Sony Music Entertainment Africa is also doing well on the market.
The group is made up of five KZN dudes, Jabulani Mthembu, Khanyisani Mazibuko, Philani Duma, Emille Ngcobo and Simphiwe Sikhakhane.
Speaking to Time Out in Durban, Mthembu said their passion for scathamiya music, made famous by Ladysmith Black Mambazo, is their driving force to excel.
The quintet have crafted a body of work that represents a contemporary style taking scathamiya to new heights.
Mthembu, the group leader, said they went to the studio seeking to create a unique sound that would appeal to both young and old.
“Some of the songs are a fusion of the urban sounds and traditional elements, while some are done in the old scathamiya way.
“We have achieved on the sound we’ve always wanted for the album. But there is still room to grow and improve every time we release an album.”
The album is packed with beautiful love ballads and songs that celebrate African heritage and belief.
They have worked with people like RJ Benjamin and Sam Soweto, formerly with The Soil.
“We believe that you can be young, yet still be proud of who you are, staying culturally rooted whilst still remaining cool,” said Mthembu.
He founded the group in 2009, starting out as Young Mbazo. Before entering the Sing Off South Africa TV competition in 2015, the group had more than five members.
They lost the other members as the rules limited groups to five members. Wena Wedwa is a follow-up to their debut single Sthandwa Sami, which won them the singing contest.