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In this episode of Hanging Out with Clement Manyathala, legendary musician Vusi Mahlasela speaks about his childhood and the music industry. One of the country’s most revered singer-songwriter Vusi Mahlasela says growing up, he wanted to be a medical doctor or priest. Speaking to Clement Manyathela on the Hanging Out feature, Mahlasela says he does the healing through his music.
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Jason Patinkin interviews Vusi Mahlasela
LISTEN TO INTERVIEW- segment starts at 18:25
Hear some recent recordings from Mauritania's Veyrouz Mint Seymali, Somaliland's Sahra Halgan Trio, Nigerien guitarist Bombino, Rwanda's The Good Ones, and South Africa's Vusi Mahlasela.
From Sotho South African singer-songwriter, also known as "The Voice" of South Africa, listen to traditional folk song from his home township of Mamelodi. It’s from a live record called “Shebeen Queen,” dedicated to his late grandmother Ida, who earned the nickname after her shebeen (speakeasy) became known for its festive impromptu musical gatherings. Also, from South Africa, hear “Sonokota” by South African guitarist Guy Buttery in collaboration with Indian Classical sitarist Dr. Kanada Narahari, and several remixes of the same tune.
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The Citizen sat down with legendary musician Vusi Mahlasela, ahead of his latest offering Shebeen Queen.
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Vusi Mahlasela – Shebeen Queen (ATO)
"This veteran South African guitarist/vocalist’s latest release is an effervescent live album of traditional South African mbaqanga and related styles, made in tribute to his grandmother, who was known for hosting lively musical gatherings in her speakeasy (“shebeen”) in the township of Mamelodi (where Mahlasela still lives). The album’s sound is warm and inviting, with jangly guitar riffs, percolating rhythms, bright harmonies and sunny melodies.”
- DON YATES, KEXP MUSIC DIRECTOR
In the 2nd hour of this week's program our very special guest is veteran South African singer-musician Vusi Mahlasela, whose new album is called 'Shebeen Queen' has just been released. Vusi discusses his own family background, Nelson Mandela, the struggle of the apartheid years, and his long musical career.
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Musician Vusi Mahlasela is known simply as "the voice" in South Africa. He recorded his latest album, "Shebeen Queen" in the township of Mamelodi, where he grew up. He was raised there by his grandmother and the album is named in her honor. Marco Werman speaks to Mahlasela about his grandmother and music.
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Vusi Mahlasela is a veteran singer/songwriter from South Africa. He has just released his 10th album since 1992, and it’s an unusual look back at his childhood under apartheid, and specifically, his grandmother Ida Mahlasela, who ran a shebeen (speak-easy) in the township of Mamelodi. Fittingly, the album Shebeen Queen digs back into the styles that reigned in the townships in the 1960s and ‘70s, especially mbaqanga. The album was recorded live on the site of Ida’s shebeen. Afropop’s Banning Eyre reached Vusi by Zoom at his home in Pretoria. Here’s their conversation.
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The internationally-revered musician's latest release is his tribute to the sounds of the township — and his beloved, mampoer-brewing granny.
It's not easy getting into Mamelodi when the eastern Pretoria township hasn't has electricity for two weeks. Protesters barricading the main roads have been burning tyres and stoning approaching cars and there's a stench of burning rubber - both from the cars rapidly executing three-point turns to avoid the angry mob and from the flaming tyres that billow a smoky column into the air.
My photographer and I are five minutes away from internationally revered musician Vusi Mahlasela's house when we hit the roadblock. It takes another hour to make a detour around the blockage and we arrive, after asking a group of loitering teenagers for "Vusi's house" - everybody in the area knows it - over an hour late...
By Andrea Nagel - Sunday Times (South Africa) Click to download full article
The South African songwriter Vusi Mahlasela’s live album, due in August, is named “Shebeen Queen” in memory of his grandmother, who ran a shebeen — a speakeasy — at her home in the township of Mamelodi. Mahlasela recorded it by putting on a concert of South African oldies in the street where her shebeen was. The mbaqanga song “Umculo” — “music” in Zulu — is pure upbeat three-chord euphoria; the rhythm guitars are having a party of their own.
By JON PARELES - the new york times
Celebrated folk artist, activist and songwriter Ntate Vusi Mahlasela marks a return with a special tribute to his late grandmother Ida, the album titled ‘Shebeen Queen’ will be released on August 14.
Following Mam Ida’s husband’s murder in 1961, she opened a shebeen and began selling homebrewed beer to make her living. Her space became known for its lively musical gatherings at night, where the townspeople would use buckets, tins, and plastic drums as instruments with everyone singing together in full voices.
According to Mahlasela, Idah was widely known as Shebeen Queen as she was the first person to own a shebeen in Mamelodi, east of Pretoria.
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After a long absence from the local entertainment scene, celebrated folk artist, activist and songwriter Vusi Mahlasela returns with a special tribute to his late grandmother Ida through music that taps into the vibrant and rich South African music culture.
The globetrotter who performs regularly overseas, more so in the US, last dropped an album in 2013 titled Sing to The People. His new offering, Shebeen Queen, is a live album in which he pays homage to his grandmother, who raised him and had a big influence on the artist that he is today.
According to Mahlasela, Idah was widely known as Shebeen Queen as she was the first person to own a shebeen in Mamelodi, east of Pretoria.
Through the album, Mahlasela, brings back the good old days by reliving music styles that characterised the vibe at his grandmother's place. These styles include kwela, mbaqanga, isicathamiya, mbube and marabi.
The album is already available on digital platforms and it is expected to hit music shelves on August 14.
Speaking to SowetanLIVE about his new offering, it became evident that Shebeen Queen is a project that is close to Mahlasela's heart.
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by PATIENCE BAMBALELE
South African artist Vusi Mahlasela was raised by his grandmother in the Pretoria township of Mamelodi, where evenings unfolded with euphoric music. In homage to his grandmother, Idah, Mahlasela is releasing a live album of traditional songs from the township and from the era of big gatherings at his grandmother’s shebeen, or speakeasy. In anticipation of the album’s August 14 release on ATO Records, a preview video is out today to whet our appetites:
One of my earliest encounters with South African music was hearing Next Stop Soweto Vol 2., a compilation of “township sounds” that amazed me with its musicianship and downright joyous rhythms and rollicking harmonies. It led me into a whole universe of great music, so I’m especially excited for this one.
Mahlasela and his band shut down the street in front of his grandmother’s home to record the album, as all the songs are strongly tied to that place. The album is named Shebeen Queen, one of his grandmother’s nicknames.
“Idah was a strong woman and was respected by all in our community,” Mahlasela explained via press release. “In 1976, when I witnessed the Soweto Uprising, my political education began and I realized how important music was. I began writing songs of justice, of freedom, of revolution, of love, of peace and of life. For these songs, I was arrested and thrown into solitary confinement. Magogo was always there for me –she fought for me, protected me and stood up for what was right. She was and still is my greatest hero. I decided I wanted to record some of these great township songs in an effort to preserve this important music, so critical to our community and to our history. I thought there would be no better way to honor this music and my grandmother than recording a live show, right here in Mamelodi at Magogo’s house. Long live the Shebeen Queen.”
READ MORE HERE: AfroPop Worldwide
by BEN RICHMOND
For the fourth installment of the Acoustic Africa series, old friends Habib Koité and Vusi Mahlasela joined forces again, 10 years after their appearance together in the 2006 debut of the series. On April 13 these two big stars of popular African folk music took the stage at the Metropolitan Museum, in a theater whose lobby is a gallery of ancient Egyptian tapestries and statues. Attuned to the audience that mostly remained seated throughout, their set was laid-back with powerful solo songs about African unity and migration interspersed with full-band jams. Mahlasela and Koité pair beautifully, with their intermingling acoustic guitar stylings, harmonious voices, and shared messages of peace and understanding.
Known in his native South Africa simply as “The Voice,” since the ’80s Mahlasela has been writing and singing political songs influenced by South African folk musics, American pop, and Chilean singer-activist Victor Jara, gaining him a place with creative groups watched warily by the apartheid regime. As an inspiration to many anti-apartheid activists, Vusi performed at Nelson Mandela’s 1994 inauguration. His debut album, When You Come Back, was a tribute to South African political exiles and launched his career in Europe and North America. Mahlasela has, in a way, become a pan-African musical ambassador to the world, collaborating widely with big names in popular folk and blues, singing upbeat, inspirational songs of unity and freedom.
READ MORE HERE: AfroPop Worldwide
by sebastian bouknight
For the past several years, the headlines out of Mali and South Africa have been, to put it bluntly, disheartening. In Mali’s north, extremists associated with al-Qaeda have tried imposing a harsh version of their beliefs, which includes a ban on all music. In November, terrorists killed 20 people in a brazen attack on Mali’s capital. In South Africa, meanwhile, violence has surged against African immigrants as the country’s economy continues to unravel and unemployment continues to hover over 20 percent. What can a musician from Mali or South Africa possibly do to counteract the struggles in their homelands?
For Habib Koite and Vusi Mahlasela, the answer is simple: Play on. Koite and Mahlasela encourage people — through passionate vocals and guitar-playing — to see Mali and South Africa not as typical African trouble spots but as places in transition like the rest of the world. As places, in other words, that anyone can relate to. Koite and Mahlasela make the complexities of their countries universal, also singing about subjects that go far beyond the borders of West and South Africa.
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Freedom, justice and harmony: These are three words important to South African singer-songwriter Vusi Mahlasela. He uses them to describe what’s still needed in post-apartheid South Africa these days, even after 21 years of democracy. As Mahlasela says, “Freedom is not enough.” Economic freedom is what’s required now, he argues, and “that’s what we’re struggling and fighting for back home.”
As an elder statesman, he struggles a bit to make sure the younger generation understands the impact music had during apartheid, a bit fearful that “our kids will forget.” But, he’s not that pessimistic. He notes that songs are still being sung from the townships, vibrant songs about hope that encourage action in some way.
And that’s exactly what Vusi Mahlasela and Hugh Masekela are doing in the United States. The duo are on tour in the United States, celebrating 21 years of freedom and post-apartheid South Africa.
Listen to full PRI The World interview here
It was a rare night on stage at the London Music Hall as two icons of the worldmusic scene made their first ever appearance in the Forest City on March 1.
In celebration of the anniversary of the end of apartheid, the Sunfest World Music & Jazz Series 2014-‘15 presented 20 Years of Freedom featuring South African music icons and legendary freedom fighters, Hugh Masekela and Vusi Mahlasela.
Describing the performance as an historical event on the London music scene, Sunfest Artistic Director Alfredo Caxaj explained the significance of having two of the most iconic musicians from Africa that are known all over the world.
‘It is truly a special occasion when you think this is a commemoration, a celebration of 20 years since the end of apartheid, which as you know was such a terrible system that committed terrible atrocities against the people of South Africa,” said Caxaj. “Hugh Masekela and Vusi Mahlasela were two figures who, through their music were instrumental about raising awareness of the atrocities that were taking place in South Africa.”
And while Masekela and Mahlasela might not be household names for many London residents, Caxaj is proud of what Sunfest brings to this community through its concerts series and annual summer festival. “In many occasions, people don’t necessarily even know the names of the artists but really, many of these artists are national heroes in their own countries,” he explained. “It’s the artistic quality, the artistic integrity and the way we fulfill our role in this community, making people aware of different types of cultures and music that exists.”
London Community News
By Mike Maloney
This past weekend, Lefrak Concert Hall resonated with the messages of forgiveness,reconciliation and understanding as two of South Africa’s musical icons, Hugh Masekela and Vusi Mahlasela, celebrated two decades since the end of apartheid.
Their program was fittingly titled “20 Years of Freedom,” and the two, along with a mixed cadre from their respective bands, blended traditional vocal and instrumental solos, including the call and response lyrics of some of their culture’s musical offerings, into a two-hour show that saw the audience leap to its feet several times.
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The songs that flügelhornist Hugh Masekela and singer-guitarist Vusi Mahlasela performed at the Annenberg Center on Saturday night were the sound track to the apartheid era, and thus dealt with grim themes: racial segregation, violence, imprisonment, and struggle.
But the mood these two South African icons conjured was buoyant and celebratory, a vivid illustration of the role music played in lifting the spirits of South Africans during decades of oppression.
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One need not be a scholar of South African jazz masters or revered folk singer-songwriters to be familiar with the stunning works of Hugh Masekela and Vusi Mahlasela, two giants whose genius towers above their nation’s music and activism circles.
Through tumultuous, oppressive political times that helped fill their respective anti-apartheid anthems with rightful btterness and painful truths, both artists, despite their different generations—Masekela is 75, Mahlasela closer to 50—are globally beloved for their vibrant material, songs that’ve captured the unassailable spirit, strength, resolve and resilience of their people via distinct soundscapes that skillfully reveal their own as well. Since last year, the horn player many consider one of the world’s best and the man dubbed “The Voice” have traveled the world on their 20 Years of Freedom tour, marking the two decades since South Africa became a democracy. We can’t imagine a better reason—or way—to mark an occasion so auspicious than this grand night out.
South African singer-songwriter Vusi Mahlasela came of age during the 1970s, an era dominated by the violent student uprising in Soweto. From the start, his musical expression has been about love and hope for his country. His songs play as anthems of South Africa’s rise from apartheid to democracy and have helped earn him the nickname “The Voice.”
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Vusi recently did an extensive interview with CNN at his home in Mamelodi, Pretoria.
Following the interview, CNN also joined Vusi behind the scenes at his 20th Anniversary show of When You Come Back at the Lyric Theater in Johannesburg. Check it out to hear about where Vusi finds his inspiration, to hear about his life in Mamelodi, and to hear about Vusi’s thoughts on the spirit of Ubuntu.
(CNN) – He is lauded as one of Africa’s most unique voices, with a fanbase stretching across the world, but South African singing sensation Vusi Mahlasela remains faithful to his roots. For more than 20 years, the legendary singer has been celebrated globally for his powerful vocals and universal messages of freedom and human kindness. He has toured the world extensively and collaborated with major music stars such as Sting, Paul Simon and Dave Matthews. But despite all his success and international acclaim, Mahlasela still resides in Mamelodi, the small township northeast of Pretoria where he grew up and nurtured his passion and talent for music. He says it all started for him here. “Quite a lot of inspirations and also some of the songs that I wrote, I penned them here in Mamelodi,” says Mahlasela, who is known in South Africa as “The Voice.” “I still have very strong connections with this place,” he adds. “I feel rooted and connected to this place, I love it.” A humble star, Mahlaselaʼs roots are reflected in his songs and lyrics, many written during one of the toughest times in South Africaʼs history – the fight against apartheid.
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The soccer World Cup in South Africa will break down barriers between races and bring humankind back home to its African roots, musician Vusi Mahlasela said ahead of the kickoff concert on Thursday.
Mahlasela and other African artists like Angelique Kidjo, Hugh Masekela and Tinariwen will join forces with international stars Shakira, Black Eyed Peas and Alicia Keys to play to 30,000 concert-goers packed into Soweto’s Orlando stadium and millions of television viewers around the globe.