Sipho 'Hotstix' Mabuse

Sipho Mabuse has been a central figure the entertainment industry for many years. Born in Johannesburg in 1951, Mabuse began playing the drums from the age of 8 – before long earning the nickname ‘Hotstix’. Since then he has also mastered other instrument, including flute, piano, saxophone, kalimba, timbales and African drums. He began his career at age 15 when when he formed The Beaters. The Beaters evolved to become Harari, one of the most successful acts that dominated the local music scene of the 1970s.

In 1978 the group was invited to perform in the USA with Hugh Masekela, but the band’s leader Selby Ntuli died, leaving Sipho as the new frontman.  Harari supported and backed Percy Sledge, Timmy Thomas, Letta Mbula, Brook Benton and Wilson Pickett on their South African tours. One of South Africa’s most important musical acts, Harari’s original lineup split in 1982. Mabuse launched his solo career, released the crossover hit ‘Burn Out’ in 1985, which sold in excess of half a million copies and is still popular today. Other notable songs include the anti-apartheid anthem ‘Chant Of The Marching’ (1989). In 1996, after a long sabbatical, Mabuse returned with the album Township Child. A number of albums followed, including two live albums in 2005 and 2006.

Over the course of his long career, Hotstix has performed in virtually every country in Africa, as well as the US, all over Europe and elsewhere. He has recorded and produced legendary artists such as Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela, Ray Phiri and Sibongile Khumalo. He was the owner of the legendary Kippies nightclub and sat on the boards of The National Arts Council and SAMRO (South African Musicians Rights Organisation). In 2005 he received a SAMA Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2013 Gallo released a new greatest hits collection on CD and DVD. He continues to perform regularly.