5 testaments to Grammy nominees Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s musical power

Isicathamiya pioneers Ladysmith Black Mambazo have received their seventh Grammy nomination during the 2017 Grammy announcement on 7 December. This year, the field is led by Beyonce Knowles but on the Southern tip of Africa, Ladysmith Black Mambazo reign supreme as Grammy darlings consistently flying the flag for indigenous music.

The platinum stars received their first nomination in 1988 and haven’t slowed down with a total of four Grammy wins and three nominations. This year, two years after their last nomination, the choral singers were nominated for their album, Music from Inala in the Best World Music category.

Here are five testaments to the group’s staying power in the evolving music scene.

1. Ladysmith Black Mambazo had a solid debut with the Grammy Awards Academy

It is very difficult to talk about Ladysmith Black Mambazo without mentioning Paul Simon’s legendary album Graceland, which won a Grammy for Album of the Year in 1987. This introduction to the Grammy family helped catapult the Paul Simon’s collaborators onto the international playing field. Ladysmith Black Mambazo have since gone from strength to strength on their own.

2. Ladysmith Black Mambazo is a successful family business

When Ladysmith Black Mambazo was formed, the members of the group comprised of relatives (mostly brothers and cousins) of founder Joseph Shabalala, with many having sung with him while he was growing up on the farm where he was born. Shabalala has since retired from the group but his sons and nephews still make up a big contingent in the group. Together with the other members, they have created a long lasting musical legacy which has earned them a lot of respect in the industry and financial rewards.

3. The Ladysmith Black Mambazo name is a pop culture reference

Nothing cements a group’s influence on pop culture than a movie reference. Ladysmith Black Mambazo got the honours in Hollywood teen comedy Mean Girls written and directed by 30 Rock star Tina Fey.

4. Their MTV MAMAs performance in 2014 proves they’re always relevant

While Ladysmith Black Mambazo caters to a diverse audience around the world, their performances on African soil always leave an indelible mark on local audiences. In 2014, the group gave a remarkable performance at the MTV Base Awards remixing popular South African songs like DJ Ganyani’s radio hit Shigubhu. The crowd roars were proof enough of how good it was.

5. Music from Inala sees Ladysmith Black Mambazo working across disciplines

The choral group’s latest collaboration, which recently earned them a Grammy nomination was with Rambert Dance Company director Mark Baldwin. They have created a “Zulu ballet” together with the composer Ella Spira, Royal Ballet dancer Pietra Mello-Pittman and some of the most talented dancers from the Royal Ballet, . It premiered at the Edinburgh International Festival.