South Africa – Popular South African singer Lebo Mathosa died in a car crash on October 23rd, after her driver lost control of her car in Johannesburg. She was 29.
Popularly known as one of South Africa’s most electrifying live performers, Lebo was at the top of her game, reaping the rewards she worked so hard for.
In 1994, Lebo shot to fame as the lead vocalist and dancer for Boon Shaka, a multi-platinum-selling group that remains an icon of post-apartheid South African music.
She launched her solo career in 2002 with the single “Intro” that featured on her debut album, Dream. Four weeks after the launch of Dream, the album went gold.
In 2001 Lebo won Best Dance Album for “Dream”, Best Dance Single for Intro and Best Female Vocalist at the South African Music Awards.
After a long absence from the music scene, Lebo Mathosa burst back onto the landscape in 2004 with the aptly named album Drama Queen, an offering that shot its’ way up the radio charts and became a dancefloor favorite. “I took a look around at the South African music scene and realized that what was missing was a feeling of that Old Skool vibe that I love so much, so I was really determined to include it in the recording,” she explained.
The album, her cover-girl status and her legendary stage performance also assured her the position of representing MTV base as a performing artist during their Africa-wide launch events.
At events attended by industry heavyweights, dignitaries and the press, Lebo performed to enraptured audiences in Lagos – Nigeria, Nairobi – Kenya and Johannesburg. Her sizzling stage performance earned her a completely new roster of fans within the continent.
In 2005 she won Best Dance Album for “Drama Queen” at the MTN South African Music Awards.
Author: World Music Central News Room
World music news from the editors at World Music Central
