Ladysmith Black Mambazo

Ladysmith Black Mambazo achieved a significant milestone in South African music history with their 1973 debut album, Amabutho, which earned gold status and marked the first album by a Black artist or group in the nation to do so. Renowned for their distinct vocal style, blending traditional Zulu isicathamiya and mbube music, the group quickly gained recognition. By 1964, they had established dominance in local isicathamiya competitions, consistently winning to the extent they were eventually requested to perform without competing. They began recording for SABC station Radio Zulu in 1967 and signed with Gallo Record Company in 1972.

That same year, they were featured on David Guetta’s single ‘Lift Me Up.’ Committed to their heritage, Ladysmith Black Mambazo established The Ladysmith Black Mambazo Foundation to preserve and teach traditional South African culture and isicathamiya music to younger generations.