Mandla Lande – African drums, percussion (jembe/congas), vocals, dance/acrobatics. Born on 30 May 1962, in Langa, Mandla Lande means ‘power’ and is the name given…
Artist Profiles: Mandla Lande
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.
Artist Profiles: Blackie Zandisile Mbizela
Blackie Zandisile Mbizela – Bass marimba, percussion, vocals, dance. Blackie Zandisile Mbizela was born on 27 December 1961, in Langa. ‘Zandisile’ has no direct English…
Artist Profiles: Nondzondelelo Fancy Galada
Born in 1970 in Langa, Nondzondelelo Fancy Galada started singing a repertoire of mainly African choral music at the age of eleven with the Thembani…
Artist Profiles: Lulu Lungiswa Plaatjies
Dizu Plattajies’ niece, Lulu Lungiswa Plaatjies was born in 1973 and has performed with Amampondo since the age of nine. She appeared on the first…
Artist Profiles: Amampondo
Amampondo was formed in 1979 by Dizu ‘Zungulu’ Plaatjies, and was originally made up of seven young men from the same neighborhood in Langa Township,…
Artist Profiles: Bakithi Kumalo
South African composer, vocalist, and bassist Bakithi Kumalo (Bah-gee-tee Koomah-low) first came to the attention of the American public following the release of Paul Simon’s…
Artist Profiles: Brenda Fassie
Over a career of 21 remarkable years, Brenda Fassie – or Ma Brrr as she was affectionately known by her fans – delivered everything that…
Artist Profiles: Mighty Sparrow
Slinger Francisco, also known as Mighty Sparrow, was born on July 9, 1935 in Grand Roy, Grenada and migrated to Trinidad with his family when…
Ruben Blades Charms with Alter Ego Medoro Madera
Rubén Blades – Medoro Madera (Ruben Blades Productions, 2018) Medoro Madera is Ruben Bades’ fascinating tribute to the great Cuban soneros. He does this by…
Artist Profiles: Alioune Kassé
Alioune Kassé was born in Dakar, Senegal. He belongs to the Tukulor ethnic group and is a writer, composer and player. In 1960 Alioune’s father,…