Nobesuthu Mbadu

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Nobesuthu Mbadu, 1991
Nobesuthu Mbadu, 1991

Nobesuthu Gertrude Mbadu Shawe (April 26, 1945 - ) is a South African mbaqanga singer, and a singer in the acclaimed group the Mahotella Queens. Mbadu was born in Durban, South Africa and was raised by her father Ferguson Mbadu and her grandmother, Selinah Mbadu.[1]

[edit] Early life

Mbadu was a singer in both her school and church choirs, and was a member of the acclaimed Amangeyami group led by Max Gcaba. After Rupert Bopape, a talent scout with Gallo Record Company spotted her in 1965, she agreed to be recruited into a new female group, the Mahotella Queens[2] alongside fellow group members Hilda Tloubatla, Mildred Mangxola, Juliet Mazamisa and Ethel Mngomezulu. The five Queens were then paired with a mbaqanga instrumental team, the Makgona Tsohle Band and the gruff, "groaning" vocals of Simon Mahlathini Nkabinde, and the whole band received instant fame.

In 1971, several original Mahotella Queens, including Mbadu, left to pursue other directions in the music business, and so an entirely new line-up of Queens was formed. Mbadu joined rival group Izintombi Zesi Manje Manje, along with Queens lead singer Hilda Tloubatla.

[edit] International fame

In 1983, the five original Queens (Tloubatla, Mbadu, Mangxola, Mazamisa and Mngomezulu) were reunited with Mahlathini and the Makgona Tsohle Band. Their comeback release, Amaqhawe Omgqashiyo, was a hit in South Africa. Due to the success of Paul Simon's Graceland 1986 album and tour (in which he collaborated with Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Stimela and others), South African music was in demand. Three of the original Queens, Tloubatla, Mbadu and Mangxola, were reunited once more with their bandmates. Their international popularity was profound.

Even after the deaths of Mahlathini and several members of the Makgona Tsohle Band, the three Queens (who are all grandmothers and are over sixty years old) remain at the helm today and Mbadu continues to be a part of the Mahotella Queens today.

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Info.gov.za, National Orders: Order of Ikhamanga, Nobesuthu Mbadu [1], 2005.
  2. ^ Info.gov.za, National Orders: Order of Ikhamanga, Nobesuthu Mbadu [2], 2005.
v • d • e
Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens
Simon Mahlathini Nkabinde
Mahotella Queens: Hilda Tloubatla · Nobesuthu Mbadu · Mildred Mangxola
Makgona Tsohle Band: Marks Mankwane · West Nkosi · Joseph Makwela · Lucky Monama · Vivian Ngubane · Phillemon Hamole · Joey Mabe · Teaspoon Ndelu · Marubini Sam Jagome
Discography
Studio albums
Meet The Mahotella Queens (1964) · Let's Move With Makhona Tsohle Band (1967) · Isigubu Sabalozi (1969) · Phezulu Egqhudeni (1975) · Umculo Kawupheli (1975) · Marriage Is A Problem (1975) · Best Of The Mahotella Queens (1977) · Izibani Zomgqashiyo (1977) · Tsamaya Moratuoa (1980) · Mathaka Vol 1 (1983) · Amaqhawe Omgqashiyo (1983) · Pheletsong Ya Lerato (1984) · Kotopo Vol 2 (1984) · Ejerusalem Siyakhona (1984) · Thokozile (1986) · Paris-Soweto (1987) · Menate Ea Lefatse (1987) · Melodi Yalla (1988) · Rhythm & Art (1990) · Mbaqanga (1991) · Women of the World (1993) · Stoki Stoki (1994) · Umuntu (1999) · Sebai Bai (2001) · Bazobuya (2004) · Reign & Shine (2005) · Kazet (2006) · Siyadumisa (Songs of Praise) (2007)
Compilations
The Best of Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens (1991) · The Best Of: The Township Idols (2003) · The Very Best of the Mahotella Queens (2005) · The Hits (2006)
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