Busi Mhlongo
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Busi Mhlongo | |
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Birth name | Busisiwe Victoria Mhlongo |
Born | Inanda, South Africa | 28 October 1947
Died | 15 June 2010 Durban, South Africa | (aged 62)
Genres | Mbaqanga, soul, smooth jazz, soft rock |
Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, record producer |
Years active | 1960–2010 |
Labels | House of Memory, MELT2000, Stern Music, Sheer Sound, Chissa Records |
Busi Mhlongo (28 October 1947 – 15 June 2010[1]), born as Victoria Busisiwe Mhlongo, was a singer, dancer and composer originally from Inanda in Natal, South Africa.[1]
Biography
Mhlongo drew on various South African styles such as Mbaqanga, Maskanda, Marabi and traditional Zulu, fused with contemporary elements from jazz, funk, rock, gospel, rap, opera, reggae and West African music. Her lyrics carry poignant messages and she had a care-free way of performance that included performing bare-foot.
In the 1960s, she adopted the artistic name Vickie; only later did she become known by Busi Mhlongo. She was an initiated sangoma, which heavily influenced her music.[2][3]
In the 1970s, Mhlongo relocated to London, later recording with other South African artists who were living in exile, such as Dudu Pukwana and Julian Bahula. By the 1980s, she performed internationally, performing with other well-renowned artists such as Salif Keita.
By the early 1990s, she began releasing her own individual works, with her first album, Barbentu, being released in 1993. A year later, she joined Hugh Masekela's homecoming tour.
In 1995, Mhlongo joined Hugh Masekela in the Africa '95 festival in London. In 1998, she released her second album, Urban Zulu, which became a hit in various markets around the world and reportedly spent months in the Billboard World Music charts.[4] She went on to release several more albums, Freedom (2003), and Amakholwa before her death from breast cancer in June 2010. Although physical-self isn't around, her energetic style of performance remains and can be seen through choreographer Somizi Mhlongo. Her music is a symbolism of the struggle for justice in South Africa. Her vocal range is incredible for she was able to go from a soft note to a booming roar. Due to her powerful activism against apartheid through music, Mhlongo was exiled therefore working and living in the Netherlands, North America and the UK. Busi sold half-a-dozen solo albums. Later during her career she became known s "Mam'Busi". During her youth, she joined the musical King Kong in Durban and was encouraged to play the drums. Her creativity launched her decision to create her band, Twasa. Her style of performance was inspired by Dorothy Masuka, Miriam Makeba but mostly Princess Magogo.
Tribute concert
One month before Mhlongo's death, a tribute concert was held at the Durban Playhouse, with all artists performing for free in her honor. The concert was titled "Behind The Legend", and featured Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Abigail Kubeka, Dorothy Masuka, Thandi Klaasen, Thandiswa Mazwai and others. The concert was created, produced and sponsored by Ngwenyama Holdings, a company owned by HRH Prince Makhosini Dlamini, a close friend of Mhlongo.
Personal life
Mhlongo was raised in a musically inclined family in the mountain village of Ohlange. She married drummer Early Mabuza, and they later had a daughter.[1] Due to Mhlongo's exile, she was unable to raise her daughter or attend the funeral of her husband, whose cause of death was murder.
Awards and nominations
Mhlongo was nominated for a Grammy and won three South African Music Awards.
References
- ^ a b c Tolsi, Niren (18 June 2010). "Subverting and owning maskanda". Mail and Guardian.
- ^ "Busi Mhlongo, queen of modern Zulu music, dead at 62". Mail & Guardian. 16 June 2010. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
- ^ Bradshaw, Paul. "Busi Mhlongo – Urban Zulu & Queen of Maskanda 1947 -2010". Mondomix. Archived from the original on 2 November 2010. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
- ^ "Freedom by Busi Mhlongo". Retrieved 5 December 2018.
External links
- Busi Mhlongo discography at Discogs
- Use dmy dates from June 2020
- Use South African English from August 2012
- All Wikipedia articles written in South African English
- Articles with a promotional tone from January 2010
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- Pages using infobox musical artist with associated acts
- AC with 0 elements
- 1947 births
- 2010 deaths
- People from Inanda, KwaZulu-Natal
- Zulu people
- South African musicians
- South African female dancers
- Deaths from cancer in South Africa