The Mahotella Queens, Hilda Tloubatla, Mildred Mangxola, and Nobesethu Mbadu, are part of the legend of urban South African music known as mbaquanga. In the early 1960s, they helped the legendary Simon Nkabindé Mahlathini (the “Lion of Soweto”) and the Makgona Tsothle Band create mbaqanga, a fusion of traditional South African tribal music (Zulu, Sotho, Shangaan and Xhosa) with marabi (South African jazz), blues, soul, and gospel.
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens played halls and township dances in South Africa. Their original sound was named the “indestructible beat of Soweto,” and their rhythmic dance music and soaring vocal harmonies embodied the spirit of the oppressed peoples of the townships. The group took a break in the mid-1970’s to raise families, but reunited with Malathini in 1987 for a successful tour of Europe and United States.
Following the tragic death of Mahlathini and the dissolution of the Makagona Tsothle Band in 1999, the Mahotella Queens struck out on their own with a national tour and released a recording entitled Sebai Bai.
In 2000, they received the second annual WOMEX (World Music Expo) Award, presented for outstanding contribution to world music.
Discography:
Marks Umthakathi (Gumba Gumba, 1972)
Umgqashiyo (Gumba Gumba, 1973)
Thatha Izimpahla Zakho (Igagasi, 1980)
Tsamaya Moratuoa (Gumba Gumba, 1980)
Mosese O Mosweu (Igagasi, 1982)
Ezesimanje (Hit Special, 1982)
Pitša Tše Kgolo (Hit Special, 1982)
Tse Hlwahlwa Tsa (Gumba Gumba, 1983)
Igagasi (IAL, 1983)
Khwatha O Mone (Hit Special, 1984)
Thokozile (Gallo Recording Company, 1987)
Menate Ea Lefatse (Black Music, 1987)
Melodi Yalla (Gallo Record Company, 1988)
Marriage Is A Problem (Shanachie, 1991)
Women Of The World (Gallo Record Company, 1993)
Sebai Bai (Indigo, 2000)
Bazobuya (Gallo Record Company, 2004)
Kazet (Marabi Productions, 2005)
Reign & Shine (Wrasse Records, 2006)
Siyadumisa – Songs of Praise (Bula Music, 2007)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.