Musical journey through Africa | Part 8: South Africa
South Africa is internationally one of the most famous African countries. South Africa is associated with eg. of Apartheid, Nelson Mandela, safari, World Cup 2010 and AIDS. It is a developing country with an average income to world standards and a large quantity of mineral resources. The relationship with the Netherlands dates back to 1647 When Reynier Tzum of his crew shipwrecked off the South African coast. In 1931 the country became fully independent.
The musical development of South Africa began when Christian missionaries began giving music lessons. Today, an estimated three quarters of the population Christian. The missionaries integrated African musical elements into their music and gospel music is very popular. At the beginning of the 20and century in the slums of Johannesburg music marabi on. Marabi the music was played on pianos and pebbles in cans to. In the 30s were becoming increasingly more tools added, including the guitar and the banjo.
The Zulu's were mainly used to a capella singing and music spread around 1930 in large parts of South Africa. Simultaneously came Afrikaans music that particularly influenced by Dutch folksongs. This created many sentimental songs, TRANE trekkers called. Contemporary artists have their own twist and that is why African music is still one of the most popular types of music. The first true South African style of music that emerged was the kwela music in the 50s. The music consists of simple folk tunes played with simple whistles. Groups flutists played in the streets of South African cities, mainly in the white neighborhoods where police arrested them because of nuisance.
Around 1960 was Isicathamiya developed by the group King Star Brothers. This is also a Zulu music with a variety of voices used. The genre became increasingly familiar with Ladysmith Black Mambazo (see below) and broke through in the west by the album Graceland Paul Simon. At the end of the '60s soul and jazz music came from the United States to South Africa. During the '70s punk rock and disco music were added. Over the years, the music more and more mixed.
The music in South Africa is concentrated around four major areas, namely Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban a Bloemfontein. The music consists mainly of Bloemfontein and African music metal. The other three regions are home to many different genres. Cape Town is also a fertile ground for underground scene and then here comes the most experimental music from South Africa.
Miriam Makeba
Mama Africa was the nickname of Miriam Makeba (1932-2008). They broke into the 50s by jazz music and was the first African artist to African music to the attention of the United States. Her political activism brought her into 1963 at the United Nations and much of her life she spent in exile. In 1956 she came with the single Pata Pata and this is still her most famous song. The second track is her interpretation of Mbube, a song which also The Lion Sleeps Tonight is based.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Despite what the name might suggest, Ladysmith Black Mambazo is a male. Their music is therefore also the isicathamiya kind. The group became known through a collaboration with Paul Simon on the album Graceland. Joseph Shabalala formed the group after a series of dreams he had had 1964 where he learned traditional Zulu music. The group has won numerous awards, including 3 Grammy’s. Ladysmith Black Mambazo is a traveling school that people have become the South African culture shows. They also made music for soundtracks, zoals The Lion King 2 Shaka Zulu in. There are now over 50 albums released since 1973.
Because M
Without that many people know Lebohang "Lebo M" Morak partly responsible for one of the most impressive opening scenes in film history. When Hans Zimmer was asked for the soundtrack of The Lion King to, he advised Disney to Lebo M in the project to involve. The voice of Lebo M, the first thing the viewer hears the Lion King playing. Lebo M is all the Lion King productions remained involved as a composer and producer and together with the African choir vocals taken. In 1964 werd Lebo M in Soweto, Johannesburg born and he was inspired by Nelson Mandela. He worked for years in Los Angeles for several employers, including McDonald's when he 1979 left his country in exile. Twenty years later he returned to Johannesburg where he lives with his family. Apart from the Lion King, he also made music for example. Tears of the Sun, Congo a Dinosaur.
Steve Hofmeyr
An artist who undoubtedly would score high in the Netherlands eyes Steve Hofmeyr (1964). He is a white South African who makes pop-folk music. In 1997 He became internationally known with You Don’t Bring Me Flowers, a duet he sang the Belgian star Dana Winner and that was recorded in Dutch. The song is no longer on YouTube, but below are any other songs from him.
Kurt Darren
Another African folk singer Kurt Johan van Heerden. He broke 2002 finally through with the album and song Girls Girls. In the Netherlands, his music can be heard, but mostly sung by others. Songs like Stand On and Girls Girls Dutch singers were also included.
Hugh Masekela
Hugh Masekela (1939) plays the trumpet, grain, flugelhorn and writes and sings his own songs. As a child he played the piano, but after the movie Young Man with a Horn he wanted to be seen trumpeter. Archbishop Trevor Huddleston gave him a trumpet and started music in the jazz genre and afrobeat to make. In his songs, he protested against Apartheid, slavery and the government and he could reach many people. His music reflects therefore mainly his personal life. The lowest number was in fact in an advertisement used by ING.
Soweto Gospel Choir
The Soweto Gospel Choir is a South African gospel group and consists of more than 30 Members. The group performed the first of the 46664 Concerts in honor of Nelson Mandela and has since traveled the world several times. In 2010 they made with composer Christopher Tin Baba Yetu the song that initially for the computer game Civilization IV was intended. Christopher Tin decided to issue his own CD to insert after it won a Grammy Award. For World Cup 2010 took the group several tracks with U2.
Freshlyground
Freshlyground is an Afro-Fusion band from Cape Town and was established in 2002. They mix traditional people with afropop, jazz and indie rock. Together they sang with Shakira Waka Waka for the World Cup in 2010. Meanwhile the band a record deal with Sony. In one of their clips they put the Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and embarrass the movie was picked up by the British media.
The Parlotones
South Africa has also made music and stronger The Parlotones are a good example of a South African rock band. They performed with great success around the world and their shows are sold out.
Johnny Clegg & Juluka/Savuka
Johnny Clegg was born on 7 June 1953 and is often called the "White Zulu" said. He has British roots but grew up in South Africa. He mixes Zulu lyrics with English lyrics, and African music with Western styles of Europe. He established the racially mixed band Juluka and the music became an international success. In 1986 Juluka was (that sweat "in Zulu language means) dissolved because one of the musicians had to return to South Africa to the family business from his father to take over. Clegg did not sit still and founded the band Savuka (Zulu for "we have risen") on. He also captures successes. In 1997 he spent with his old band Juluka has a new album and then went on a solo tour.
Brenda Fassie
Brenda Fassie (1964-2004) was only 39 years old, but is it the 17th spot in the top 100 of Great South Africans. She led a turbulent and intense life and nearly ruined her career by a cocaine addiction. Most of her albums were bestsellers in South Africa and she was immensely popular.
Other artists
There are many more South African artists, too much for them all to go along. Here, therefore, a number of separate clips of artists, so that you can search through them:
Joe Shirimani
The Trompies
Simphiwe Dana
Various Artists
Finally
South Africa has many more artists. In my YouTube playlist of South Africa You can hear more music from the above artist. YouTube is always a good way to listen to songs, but there are a lot of artists here at Bol.com for sale or you can use Last.FM and Spotify listen to free songs.
