Thamsanqa Shabalala
Encyclopedia
Thamsanqa Shabalala is a member of Ladysmith Black Mambazo
, a South Africa
n choral group founded in 1960 by his father Joseph
. He will replace Joseph as the group's lead singer after his father's retirement (see main article
for more information).
Thamsanqa was born in Ladysmith
(eMnambithi district) to Joseph
and his late wife Nellie
. In 1976, Joseph brought together his six sons to form Mshengu White Mambazo
, Ladysmith's 'junior choir'.
After the murder of his uncle Headman Shabalala
in December 1991 and the retirement of several other members (Inos Phungula, Geophrey Mdletshe and Ben Shabalala), Joseph later recruited Thamsanqa and his brothers Sibongiseni
, Thulani
and Msizi
. Thamsanqa began singing with the group as an alto voice (alongside Albert Mazibuko
, who is a tenor voice) and has remained in the line-up since 1993.
Together with his brother Sibongiseni and a well-known South African guitarist, Maqhinga Radebe, Thamsanqa formed the maskandi-mbaqanga
-isicathamiya
crossover band Shabalala Rhythm in 1998, which has released successful releases to date including Ubuhle Bakho (2003), Vuma (2005), and Izingqaku (2007).
It was announced by Joseph Shabalala in January 2008 that when the time comes for him to retire, Thamsanqa will take his father's place as leader of Ladysmith Black Mambazo.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Ladysmith Black Mambazo is a male choral group from South Africa that sings in the vocal styles of isicathamiya and mbube. They rose to worldwide prominence as a result of singing with Paul Simon on his album, Graceland and have won multiple awards, including three Grammy Awards...
, a South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n choral group founded in 1960 by his father Joseph
Joseph Shabalala
Joseph Shabalala , born Bhekizizwe Joseph Siphatimandla Mxoveni Mshengu Bigboy Shabalala, is the founder and musical director of the South African choral group Ladysmith Black Mambazo.-Early life and career:...
. He will replace Joseph as the group's lead singer after his father's retirement (see main article
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Ladysmith Black Mambazo is a male choral group from South Africa that sings in the vocal styles of isicathamiya and mbube. They rose to worldwide prominence as a result of singing with Paul Simon on his album, Graceland and have won multiple awards, including three Grammy Awards...
for more information).
Thamsanqa was born in Ladysmith
Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal
Ladysmith is a city in the Uthukela District of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It is north-west of Durban and south of Johannesburg. Important industries in the area include food processing, textile and tyre production...
(eMnambithi district) to Joseph
Joseph Shabalala
Joseph Shabalala , born Bhekizizwe Joseph Siphatimandla Mxoveni Mshengu Bigboy Shabalala, is the founder and musical director of the South African choral group Ladysmith Black Mambazo.-Early life and career:...
and his late wife Nellie
Nellie Shabalala
Nellie Shabalala was the wife of Ladysmith Black Mambazo leader and founder, Joseph Shabalala, for over thirty years. She had formed her own allied group, Women of Mambazo, in the 1970s...
. In 1976, Joseph brought together his six sons to form Mshengu White Mambazo
Mshengu White Mambazo
Mshengu White Mambazo is a South African choral group consisting of the sons of Ladysmith Black Mambazo leader Joseph Shabalala, with his eldest son Nkosinathi leading the group. They sing in the traditional style of isicathamiya, like their parents in the above group...
, Ladysmith's 'junior choir'.
After the murder of his uncle Headman Shabalala
Headman Shabalala
Headman Msongelwa Shabalala was a member of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, a South African choral group founded and still led by his brother Joseph....
in December 1991 and the retirement of several other members (Inos Phungula, Geophrey Mdletshe and Ben Shabalala), Joseph later recruited Thamsanqa and his brothers Sibongiseni
Sibongiseni Shabalala
Sibongiseni Lucas Shabalala is a member of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, a South African choral group founded in 1960 by his father Joseph....
, Thulani
Thulani Shabalala
Thulani Shabalala is a member of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, a South African choral group founded in 1960 by his father Joseph.Thulani was born in Ladysmith to Joseph and his late wife Nellie...
and Msizi
Msizi Shabalala
Msizi Innocent Shabalala is a member of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, a South African choral group founded in 1960 by his father Joseph.Msizi was born in Ladysmith to Joseph and his late wife Nellie...
. Thamsanqa began singing with the group as an alto voice (alongside Albert Mazibuko
Albert Mazibuko
Mdletshe Albert Mazibuko is a member of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, a South African choral group founded in 1960 - and still led - by his cousin Joseph....
, who is a tenor voice) and has remained in the line-up since 1993.
Together with his brother Sibongiseni and a well-known South African guitarist, Maqhinga Radebe, Thamsanqa formed the maskandi-mbaqanga
Mbaqanga
Mbaqanga is a style of South African music with rural Zulu roots that continues to influence musicians worldwide today. The style originated in the early 1960s.-History:...
-isicathamiya
Isicathamiya
Isicathamiya is a singing style that originated from the South African Zulus. In European understanding, a cappella is also used to describe this form of singing.-Background:...
crossover band Shabalala Rhythm in 1998, which has released successful releases to date including Ubuhle Bakho (2003), Vuma (2005), and Izingqaku (2007).
It was announced by Joseph Shabalala in January 2008 that when the time comes for him to retire, Thamsanqa will take his father's place as leader of Ladysmith Black Mambazo.