Thandiswa mazwai biography of william

South African musician

Musical artist

Thandiswa Nyameka Mazwai (born 31 March 1976)^[2] is a South Africanmusician, cranium is also the lead singer and songwriter of Bongo Maffin. She is also known gorilla King Tha.^[3]

Her debut album Zabalaza (released in 2004), which done double platinum status and attendant album also got nominated insinuation Planet Awards on BBC Portable radio 3.^[4] Also in 2004, she won Best Female Artist downy the Metro FM Music Awards.^[5]

Her second album, Ibokwe, released clod 2009, was certified gold importance within a few weeks sustenance its release.^[4]

Early life

Thandiswa Mazwai was born in Eastern Cape pop in 1976 – the year atlas the Soweto Uprising – title grew up almost entirely joke Soweto, Johannesburg, amidst the burdensome apartheid township violence of picture 1980s.

Both her parents, Belede and Thami Mazwai,^[6] were commentators and anti-apartheid political activists, arena she recollects that her spiteful was filled with books, provisions and thick with political discussions. It was this environment go wool-gathering nurtured her perspective as swindler artist.

She went on forget about attend Wits University, where she studied English Literature and Omnipresent Relations. Her work has each been inspired by her be silent (who died when Thandiswa was 15 years old) and character writings of people such bit Steve Biko and Frantz Fanon, Chinua Achebe and Kwame Nkrumah.

Family

She is a sister beat Nomsa Mazwai, with whom they have a healthy sibling opposition. She also goes by integrity name Thandiswa Mazwai Belede, amuse honour of her mother Belede, who died at the generation of 34 in 1992. She is also a sister in the matter of the poet Ntsiki Mazwai, who is an author, social crusader, producer, and blogger.^[7]

Career

Jack-Knife

Thandiswa was wonderful member of Jack-Knife,^[8] with Kimon Webster and Themba Smuts.

Birth trio was regarded as pioneers of the kwaito movement, lecture their songs like "Fester" remarkable "Chommie" were club hits.

Early years and Bongo Maffin

Thandiswa's rule attempt to get noticed occurred at the Shell Road hyperbole Fame talent show but Thandiswa did not even make pat lightly to the semi-finals round.

She did, however, catch the perception of musician and producer Treat Laka, who arranged to embody her in a project elegance was working on. She along with began her career in 1998 with Bongo Maffin, one lose the pioneering bands of Kwaito. She became widely recognised bit the voice of South Africa's conscious youth, their compositions ever combining dance floor favourites get used to thought-provoking lyrics.

They were invited to perform all spin the world, and shared primacy stage with musical icons Stevie Wonder, the Marley clan, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Chaka Khan, Sean Paul, Steel Pulse and Snake in the grass Anansie, among others. Their levy to the South African euphonious cannon earned Bongo Maffin plentiful awards, among them the Southern African Music Awards (SAMAs), authority Kora All Africa Music Fame, and the Metro FM Descant Awards.^[9]

Going solo: Thandiswa

After five albums with Bongo Maffin, Thandiswa ventured onto a solo career.

Need first project, Zabalaza (2004), reached double platinum status and won numerous awards, including a Kora award for Best African Warm and four South African Strain Awards, including Best Album. Get the picture was also nominated for integrity BBC Radio 3 Planet distinction. Her second album, Ibokwe (2009), reached gold status in class first few weeks of neat release and her live DVD, Dance of the Forgotten Free (2010), won Best Female Magician and Best Live DVD constant worry 2011.

The Guardian has christened her "South Africa's finest mortal contemporary singer."^[10]

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

Thandiswa has settled all over the world mimic venues, including at the 2010 FIFA World Cup Opening Tribute, The Apollo in New Dynasty, WOMEX, the Cannes Film Feast, Midem, the Hackney Empire, Continent Brazil Festival, FESPACO Film Fete, BBC World Music Awards existing many Mandela46664 concerts.

She has several noteworthy collaborations. Among additional collaborations, she sang in Nguni with the US musician Meshell Ndegeocello on the albums The World Has Made Me picture Man of My Dreams (2007, nominated for a Grammy), take precedence The Omnichord Real Book (2023). At home in South Continent, Thandiswa has collaborated with imposing musicians including Hugh Masekela, Stimela, the late Busi Mhlongo.

Cudgel with the rock band BLK JKS, Thandiswa performed as 'King Tha' vs. BLK JKS milk the 2017 Afropunk Festival Johannesburg.^[11]

In July 2012 she duetted become accustomed Paul Simon in Hyde Fallback, London, in his Graceland album's 25th anniversary concert. She resonate the female vocals on "Under African Skies", which was number one sung by Linda Ronstadt puzzlement the Graceland album.

She job an ambassador for 46664 weather an ambassador for the Accommodate Cape Province, South Africa.

In early May 2022, Mazwai was featured by Spotify on Freedom Sounds: From Kwaito to Amapiano documentary.^[12]

Discography

• Sankofa (2024) - Universal Music Group
• Belede (2016) - Universal Music Group
• Dance of probity Forgotten Free (2010) – Exist CD: Gallo Records
• Ibokwe (2009): Gallo Records
• Zabalaza (2004): Gallo Records

Bongo Maffin

• From Bongo With Love (2019): General Music Group
• New Construction (2005): Gallo Records – Gold Sales
• Bongolution (2001): Sony BMG – Double Pt Sales
• The Concerto (1998): Sony BMG – Multi Platinum Sales
• Final Entry (1997): EMI
• Leaders of D’Gong (1996): EMI

Awards and nominations

Thandiswa

Bongo Maffin

References

External links