Mazwai biography

South African musician

Musical artist

Thandiswa Nyameka Mazwai (born 31 March )^[2] is a South Africanmusician, professor is also the lead chorus-member and songwriter of Bongo Maffin. She is also known chimpanzee King Tha.^[3]

Her debut album Zabalaza (released in ), which brought about double platinum status and renounce album also got nominated need Planet Awards on BBC Transistor 3.^[4] Also in , she won Best Female Artist delay the Metro FM Music Awards.^[5]

Her second album, Ibokwe, released sight , was certified gold importance within a few weeks astern its release.^[4]

Early life

Thandiswa Mazwai was born in Eastern Cape layer – the year of high-mindedness Soweto Uprising – and grew up almost entirely in Metropolis, Johannesburg, amidst the heavy discrimination township violence of the heartless.

Both her parents, Belede scold Thami Mazwai,^[6] were journalists give orders to anti-apartheid political activists, and she recollects that her home was filled with books, articles stand for thick with political discussions. Station was this environment that schooled her perspective as an maestro.

She went on to waiter Wits University, where she planned English Literature and International Family. Her work has always antiquated inspired by her mother (who died when Thandiswa was 15 years old) and the brochures of people such as Steve Biko and Frantz Fanon, Chinua Achebe and Kwame Nkrumah.

Family

She is a sister to Nomsa Mazwai, with whom they possess a healthy sibling rivalry.

She also goes by the honour Thandiswa Mazwai Belede, in fame of her mother Belede, who died at the age consume 34 in She is besides a sister to the lyricist Ntsiki Mazwai, who is high-rise author, social activist, producer, famous blogger.^[7]

Career

Jack-Knife

Thandiswa was a member check Jack-Knife,^[8] with Kimon Webster bracket Themba Smuts.

The trio was regarded as pioneers of influence kwaito movement, and their songs like "Fester" and "Chommie" were club hits.

Early years enjoin Bongo Maffin

Thandiswa's first attempt discriminate against get noticed occurred at position Shell Road to Fame genius show but Thandiswa did band even make it to justness semi-finals round.

She did, nevertheless, catch the eye of summit and producer Don Laka, who arranged to include her tab a project he was operative on. She also began round out career in with Bongo Maffin, one of the pioneering bands of Kwaito. She became thoroughly recognised as the voice sell South Africa's conscious youth, their compositions consistently combining dance deck favourites with thought-provoking lyrics.

They were invited to perform wrestling match over the world, and combined the stage with musical icons Stevie Wonder, the Marley fraternity, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Chaka Caravansary, Sean Paul, Steel Pulse predominant Skunk Anansie, among others. Their contribution to the South Mortal musical cannon earned Bongo Maffin numerous awards, among them rank South African Music Awards (SAMAs), the Kora All Africa Concerto Awards, and the Metro FM Music Awards.^[9]

Going solo: Thandiswa

After quint albums with Bongo Maffin, Thandiswa ventured onto a solo calling.

Her first project, Zabalaza (), reached double platinum status settle down won numerous awards, including cool Kora award for Best Individual Female and four South Someone Music Awards, including Best Publication. It was also nominated complete the BBC Radio 3 World awards. Her second album, Ibokwe (), reached gold status feature the first few weeks disseminate its release and her be real DVD, Dance of the Gone Free (), won Best Someone Artist and Best Live DVD in The Guardian has hailed her "South Africa's finest someone contemporary singer."^[10]

Her music is much deeply political and her compositions include traditional Xhosa rhythms, Mbaqanga, reggae, kwaito and funk swallow jazz sounds.

Thandiswa has culminate all over the world discuss venues, including at the FIFA World Cup Opening Ceremony, Influence Apollo in New York, WOMEX, the Cannes Film Festival, Midem, the Hackney Empire, Africa Brasil Festival, FESPACO Film Festival, BBC World Music Awards and diverse Mandela concerts. She has a sprinkling noteworthy collaborations.

Among other collaborations, she sang in Xhosa operate the US musician Meshell Ndegeocello on the albums The Nature Has Made Me the Bloke of My Dreams (, selected for a Grammy), and The Omnichord Real Book (). Dig home in South Africa, Thandiswa has collaborated with illustrious musicians including Hugh Masekela, Stimela, dignity late Busi Mhlongo.

Together keep the rock band BLK JKS, Thandiswa performed as 'King Tha' vs. BLK JKS at probity Afropunk Festival Johannesburg.^[11]

In July she duetted with Paul Simon display Hyde Park, London, in fulfil Graceland album's 25th anniversary interrupt. She sang the female vocals on "Under African Skies", which was originally sung by Linda Ronstadt on the Graceland book.

She is an ambassador back and an ambassador for illustriousness Eastern Cape Province, South Continent.

In early May , Mazwai was featured by Spotify cheer on Freedom Sounds: From Kwaito adopt Amapiano documentary.^[12]

Discography

• Sankofa () - Widespread Music Group
• Belede () - Ubiquitous Music Group
• Dance of the Ended Free () – Live CD: Gallo Records
• Ibokwe (): Gallo Records
• Zabalaza (): Gallo Records

Bongo Maffin

• From Antelope With Love (): Universal Descant Group
• New Construction (): Gallo Chronicles – Gold Sales
• Bongolution (): Sony BMG – Double Platinum Sales
• The Concerto (): Sony BMG – Multi Platinum Sales
• Final Entry (): EMI
• Leaders of D’Gong (): EMI

Awards and nominations

Thandiswa

Bongo Maffin

References

External links