SA’s Madala Kunene to release single with Khaya Records

Kunene, who is regarded as the ‘King of Zulu Guitar’ had this to say about his music: “It’s strange when people are interested in your music, particularly as a guitarist, because there are so many people who play this instrument at one level or anotherAs. far as uniqueness goes, if you want to stand out, playing the guitar is hard because it’s difficult to distinguish yourself.”

Born on 3 April 1951 in Durban, Kunene was discovered by Sipho Gumede who brought him to Johannesburg where he shared the stage with greats such as Hugh Masekela, Winston Mankunku Ngozi and Busi Mhlongo.

Kunene, who draws influence from his traditional upbringing, is one of South Africa's top folk guitar marksmen who made his first guitar out of a cooking oil tin and fish gut for strings. This saw him become a popular performer in the townships during apartheid.

Combining blues and soul with African folk, he has crafted a unique style that also blurs the lines between jazz, funk, maskandi and East Coast blues.

With more than 40 years in the music industry, he has to date recorded eight albums, the first of which he recorded with bass guitarist Sipho Gumede and the late vocalist Jabu Khanyile in 1988. The album has since fallen off the radar, presumably lost in the wilderness of the 1980s and was Madala’s only release on the vinyl format.