Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens
Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens, 1988 Left to right: Hilda Tloubatla, Simon Mahlathini Nkabinde, Nobesuthu Mbadu, Mildred Mangxola
Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens, 1988
Left to right: Hilda Tloubatla, Simon Mahlathini Nkabinde, Nobesuthu Mbadu, Mildred Mangxola
Background information
Origin Johannesburg, South Africa
Genre(s) Mbaqanga, Mgqashiyo
Years active 1964–1971
1983–1999
Label(s) Gallo Record Company (1964–1999)
Former members
Simon Mahlathini Nkabinde
Hilda Tloubatla
Nobesuthu Mbadu
Mildred Mangxola
Ethel Mngomezulu
Juliet Mazamisa
Emily Zwane
Caroline Kapentar
Thandi Radebe
Irene Mawela
Thandi Nkosi
Beatrice Ngcobo
Nunu Maseko
Francisca Mngomezulu
Mary Rabotapi

Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens (also known as Mahlathini Nezintombi Zomgqashiyo - Mahlathini and the Girls of Mgqashiyo) was a South African mbaqanga supergroup comprised of:

  • The late Simon 'Mahlathini' Nkabinde (1937 - 1999), a phenomenal singer in the basso-profundo 'groaning' style
  • The mgqashiyo session group Mahotella Queens (1964 - present), known for their fast-paced dancing and multi-part harmonies - originally five members from 1964 - 1986, now a trio (1986 - present)
  • The mbaqanga instrumental band Makgona Tsohle Band (1963 - 1999), led by the late Marks Mankwane and West Nkosi

In 1998, band member West Nkosi was killed in a road accident. Marks Mankwane died not long afterwards, followed by the death of Mahlathini in July 1999, thus ending the group's existence. Despite this, the Mahotella Queens recruited brand new (younger) musicians in a new group line-up and continue performing and recording to this day, having released successful albums such as Sebai Bai (2001), Bazobuya (2004), Reign & Shine (2005) and Siyadumisa (Songs of Praise) (2007).

Contents

[edit] History

Mahlathini, the Queens and the Makgona Tsohle Band had become famous as individual artists, but had frequently recorded together since 1964. It was only in 1986, when the demand for South African music arose through Paul Simon's Graceland album, that Gallo Record Company (the three artists' label) paired them together permanently.

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.

[edit] Selected Discography

Title Label/catalogue Release year
The Best of Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens (international) Warner Jazz 2007
Siyadumisa (Songs of Praise) Bula Music/AS Entertainment (CDBULA 203) 2007
The Best of Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens (reissue) Gallo Record Company (CDGSP 50) 2007
Stoki Stoki (reissue) Gallo Record Company (CDGMP 40539) 2007
Paris-Soweto (reissue) Gallo Record Company (CDGMP 40314) 2007
Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens: The Hits Gallo Record Company (GMVCOM 1007) 2006
Reign & Shine (international) Wrasse Records/AS Entertainment (WRASS177) 2006
Kazet Marabi Productions/AS Entertainment 2005
Reign & Shine African Cream Music/AS Entertainment (ACM-CD 042) 2005
Bazobuya Gallo Record Company (GWVCD 53) 2004
The Best Of: The Township Idols Wrasse Records (WRASS098) 2003
Sebai Bai Harmonia Mundi/Label Bleu/Gallo (LBLC 2571) 2001
Umuntu Gallo Record Company (CDGMP 40788) 1999
Stoki Stoki (international) Shanachie Records 1996
Stoki Stoki Gallo Record Company (CDGMP 40539) 1994
Women of the World Gallo Record Company (CDGMP 40331) 1993
Part II: King of the Groaners Earthworks Music 1993
The Lion Roars Shanachie Records 1993
Mbaqanga Gallo Record Company (BL 742) 1991
The Best of Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens Gallo Record Company (CDHUL 40274) 1991
Rhythm & Art (international) Shanachie Records 1990
Rhythm & Art Gallo Record Company 1989
Thokozile (international) Earthworks Music 1988
Melodi Yalla Gallo-GRC (BL 617) 1988
Paris - Soweto Gallo Record Company (HUL 40314) 1987
Menate Ea Lefatse CCP Record Company 1987
Part I: The Lion of Soweto Earthworks Music 1987
Thokozile (as Mahlathini and Mahotella 'A') Gallo-GRC (BL 590) 1986
Ejerusalema Siyakhona (as Mahlathini Namatshezulu) Gallo Record Company 1986
Utshwala Begazati (with Amaswazi Emvelo) Gallo Record Company 1985
Phezulu Eqhudeni (reissue) Hannibal Music 1984
Kotopo Vol 2 (as Makgona Tsohle Band) Gallo Record Company (Spades BL 461) 1984
Pheletsong Ya Lerato (as Mahlathini Nezintombi Zomgqashiyo) Gallo Record Company (Gumba Gumba BL 457) 1984
Uhambo Lwami Gallo Record Company 1983
Amaqhawe Omgqashiyo (as Mahlathini Nezintombi Zomgqashiyo and Makgona Tsohle Band) Gallo Record Company (Gumba Gumba BL 448) 1983
Mathaka Vol 1 (as Makgona Tsohle Band) Gallo Record Company (Spades BL 441) 1983
O Boshako Teal Record Company 1983
Hamba Minyaka Gallo Record Company (Gumba Gumba BL 366) 1982
Tsamaya Moratuoa Gallo Record Company (Gumba Gumba BL 226) 1980
Best of the Mahotella Queens Gallo Record Company 1978
Izibani Zomgqashiyo Gallo Record Company 1977
Umkhovu EMI Record Company 1975
Marriage is a Problem Gallo Record Company 1975
Phezulu Egqhudeni Gallo Record Company 1975
Umculo Kawupheli Gallo Record Company 1974
Umculo Kawupheli Gallo Record Company (Gumba Gumba MGG 600/A) 1974
Marks Umthakathi Gallo Record Company (Motella BL 9) 1972
Madulo Gallo Record Company (Gumba Gumba MGG 538/B) 1969
Mahlare Gallo Record Company (Gumba Gumba MGG 538/A) 1969
Sozabile No Mgonothi (as Soweto Stars) Gallo Record Company 1969
Elamanqamu (as Soweto Stars) Gallo Record Company 1969
Isigubu Sabalozi (Makhona Tsohle Band) Gallo Record Company (Gumba Gumba LMGG 5) 1969
Shaluza Ntombi (as Izingane Zo Mgqashiyo) Gallo Record Company (Gumba Gumba MGG 541/B) 1969
Lakhala Ijuba (as Izingane Zo Mgqashiyo) Gallo Record Company (Gumba Gumba MGG 541/A) 1969
Majuba (Makhona Tsohle Band) Gallo Record Company 1968
Mama Thula Gallo Record Company 1967
Amaqawe Gallo Record Company 1967
Jabulani Mabungu Gallo Record Company (Motella MO 136/B) 1967
Sithunyiwe Thokozile No. 3 (later Thokozile) Gallo Record Company (Motella MO 136/A) 1967
Let's Move with Makhona Tsohle Band Gallo Record Company (Motella LMO 104) 1967
Sikhulekile (Makhona Tsohle Band) Gallo Record Company 1966
Vula Bop's (Makhona Tsohle Band) Gallo Record Company 1966
Meet the Mahotella Queens Gallo Record Company (Motella LMO 101) 1966
Ashikinisi Jive Mgqashiyo Gallo Record Company 1965
Sithunyiwe (later Thokozile) Gallo Record Company 1964
Jive Mgqashiyo Gallo Record Company (Motella MO 33/B) 1964
Thoko Gallo Record Company (Motella MO 33/A) 1964
Orlando Train (Makhona Tsohle Band) Gallo Record Company 1964

[edit] See also

[edit] External links