Busi Mhlongo
Encyclopedia
Busi Mhlongo born as Victoria Busisiwe Mhlongo, was originally from Inanda
in Natal, South Africa
, Busi Mhlongo was considered by many to be a virtuoso singer, dancer and composer whose music defies categorization.
, maskanda
, marabi
and traditional Zulu
, fused with contemporary elements from jazz, funk, rock, gospel, rap, opera, reggae and West African music she produced a fresh and exciting sound. Her infectious music and singing style have a universal appeal and her lyrics carry powerful and poignant messages. In the 1960s, she adopted the artistic name Vickie; only later did she became known by Busi Mhlongo.
Mhlongo has worked with other top African folk / pop artists, like Hugh Masekela
, Dr. Philip Tabane, Mabe Thobejane, and many legends - Robert "Doc" Mthalane making meticulously produced, melodic and modern South African music.
Her work also spaned more urban styles, with several tracks on URBANZULU being remixed for the dancefloor.
In 2000, Busi scooped three awards at the FNB South African Music Awards
for best female artist, best adult contemporary album (Africa), and best African pop album. Busi has since also scored a KORA award
and MELT has released a compilation called INDIZA with two new tracks produced by Brice Wassy and a series of remixes by Club 3.30.
The first South African music Benefit concert was held by South African Broadcasting Corporation to celebrate Busi's birthday and raise fund for her hospital bills, President Thabo Mbeki was one of the Honourable guests. On May 21, 2010, Ngwenyama Holdings a company owned by Swazi Prince Makhosini "Omari" Dlamini announced A Tribute Concert to Busi Mhlongo at the South African Playhouse on May 30. Her album UrbanZulu, was the very first time that Maskanda
has been expressed by a Zulu woman commercially to an international audience.
Inanda, KwaZulu-Natal
Inanda is a town in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa that is situated 24 km inland from Durban and now forms part of eThekwini, the Greater Durban Metropolitan Municipality...
in Natal, 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...
, Busi Mhlongo was considered by many to be a virtuoso singer, dancer and composer whose music defies categorization.
Biography
Drawing on various South African styles such as mbaqangaMbaqanga
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:...
, maskanda
Maskanda
Maskanda is a kind of Zulu folk music that is evolving with South African society. describes it as "The music played by the man on the move, the modern minstrel, today’s troubadour. It is the music of the man walking the long miles to court a bride, or to meet with his Chief; a means of transport...
, marabi
Marabi
Marabi is an indigenous music that evolved in South Africa over the last century.The early part of the 20th century saw the increasing urbanisation of black South Africans in mining centres such as the gold mining area around Johannesburg - the Witwatersrand...
and traditional Zulu
Zulu music
The Zulu are a South African ethnic group. Many Zulu musicians have become a major part of South African music. A number of Zulu-folk derived styles have also become well-known across South Africa and abroad.-Mbube and Isicathamiya:...
, fused with contemporary elements from jazz, funk, rock, gospel, rap, opera, reggae and West African music she produced a fresh and exciting sound. Her infectious music and singing style have a universal appeal and her lyrics carry powerful and poignant messages. In the 1960s, she adopted the artistic name Vickie; only later did she became known by Busi Mhlongo.
Mhlongo has worked with other top African folk / pop artists, like Hugh Masekela
Hugh Masekela
Hugh Ramopolo Masekela is a South African trumpeter, flugelhornist, cornetist, composer, and singer.-Early life:Masekela was born in Kwa-Guqa Township, Witbank, South Africa. He began singing and playing piano as a child...
, Dr. Philip Tabane, Mabe Thobejane, and many legends - Robert "Doc" Mthalane making meticulously produced, melodic and modern South African music.
Her work also spaned more urban styles, with several tracks on URBANZULU being remixed for the dancefloor.
In 2000, Busi scooped three awards at the FNB South African Music Awards
South African Music Awards
The South African Music Awards are an annual award ceremony, run by the Recording Industry of South Africa , where accolades are presented to members of South Africa's music industry. Winners receive a statuette is called a SAMA. The event was established in 1995...
for best female artist, best adult contemporary album (Africa), and best African pop album. Busi has since also scored a KORA award
Kora Awards
The Kora Awards are music awards given annually for musical achievement in sub-Saharan Africa. Founded in 1994 by Ernest Adjovi, they are comparable to the American Grammy Awards in intent...
and MELT has released a compilation called INDIZA with two new tracks produced by Brice Wassy and a series of remixes by Club 3.30.
The first South African music Benefit concert was held by South African Broadcasting Corporation to celebrate Busi's birthday and raise fund for her hospital bills, President Thabo Mbeki was one of the Honourable guests. On May 21, 2010, Ngwenyama Holdings a company owned by Swazi Prince Makhosini "Omari" Dlamini announced A Tribute Concert to Busi Mhlongo at the South African Playhouse on May 30. Her album UrbanZulu, was the very first time that Maskanda
Maskanda
Maskanda is a kind of Zulu folk music that is evolving with South African society. describes it as "The music played by the man on the move, the modern minstrel, today’s troubadour. It is the music of the man walking the long miles to court a bride, or to meet with his Chief; a means of transport...
has been expressed by a Zulu woman commercially to an international audience.