Ladysmith Black Mambazo

Biography

Ladysmith Black Mambazo is a South African male choral group singing in the local vocal styles of isicathamiya and mbube. They became known internationally recognised after singing with American Paul Simon on his 1986 album Graceland. They have since won multiple awards, including five Grammy Awards, the fifth of which they dedicated to the late former South African President Nelson Mandela. Formed by Joseph Shabalala in 1960, Ladysmith Black Mambazo became one of South Africa's most prolific musical groups. Their releases received gold and platinum disc honours in both South Africa and abroad. The group became a mobile academy of South African cultural heritage through their African indigenous isicathamiya music.