Vusi Mahlasela

Vusi Mahlasela is simply known as ‘The Voice’ in his home-country, South Africa, celebrated for his distinct, powerful voice and his poetic, optimistic lyrics. His songs of hope connect Apartheid-scarred South Africa with its promise for a better future. Raised in the Mamelodi Township, where he still resides, Vusi became a singer-songwriter and poet-activist at an early age teaching himself how to play guitar and later joining the Congress of South African Writers. After his popular debut on BMG Africa, “When You Come Back,” Vusi was asked to perform at Nelson Mandela’s inauguration in 1994.

Vusi has toured globally and shared the stage with Dave Matthews Band, Sting, Paul Simon, Josh Groban, Ray LaMontagne, Natalie Merchant, Taj Mahal, among many others. In 2003, fellow South African Dave Matthews signed Vusi to ATO Records and began releasing his albums in North America to great acclaim.  Vusi was honored to open for Dave Matthews Band when the group performed in South Africa for the first time in 2013 and joined the band.  One of his most treasured performances was in 2010 when he helped ring in the World Cup in South Africa, at Orlando Stadium in Soweto.  His iconic song “When You Come Back” was the theme song for the South African World Cup coverage on ITV in the UK.

Vusi has released nine beloved albums over the last two decades.; his latest release is “Shebeen Queen” (ATO Records), is a celebration of the vibrant musical culture of his hometown, first encountered at his grandmother’s shebeen.  In light of his international and national acclaim, the SAMA Awards (South African Music Awards) honored Vusi with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014.  Vusi was proud to have been an ambassador to Nelson Mandela’s 46664 campaign (an awareness effort surrounding the HIV/AIDS crisis in South Africa).  Vusi holds an honorary doctorate degree from the prestigious Rhodes University in Grahamstown, SA.  This fall, Vusi received a second honorary doctorate degree from the University of KwaZulu-Natal.  South African President Ramaphosa recently recognized Vusi cultural contributions with a national “Ubuntu and Culture” award. Additionally, South Africa’s former President Jacob Zuma awarded Vusi with the National Order of Ikhamanga, recognizing him for “drawing attention to the injustices that isolated South Africa from the global community during the Apartheid years.” 

As Nobel-Laureate, celebrated author and longtime champion of Vusi’s Nadine Gordimer, once put it best, “Vusi sings as a bird does, in total response to being alive.  He is a national treasure.”