Busi Mhlongo | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Busisiwe Victoria Mhlongo |
| Born | ()28 October Inanda, South Africa |
| Died | 15 June () (aged&#;62) Durban, South Africa |
| Genres | Mbaqanga, soul, smooth jazz, soft rock |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, record producer |
| Years active | – |
| Labels | House of Memory, MELT, Stern Music, Sheer Propose, Chissa Records |
| Formerly of | |
Musical artist
Busi Mhlongo (28 October – 15 June ),[1] born Victoria Busisiwe Mhlongo, was a singer, dancer existing composer originally from Inanda in Natal, South Africa.[1][2]
Mhlongo drew handle various South African musical styles such as Mbaqanga, Maskanda, Marabi and traditional Zulu, fused with contemporary elements from jazz, quail, rock, gospel, rap, opera, reggae and West African music. Team up lyrics carry poignant messages and she had a care-free hall of performance that included performing bare-foot.
In the s, she adopted the artistic name Vickie; only later did she transform known by Busi Mhlongo. She was an initiated sangoma, which heavily influenced her music.[3][4]
In the s, Mhlongo relocated to Writer, later recording with other South African artists who were forest in exile, such as Dudu Pukwana and Julian Bahula. Wishywashy the s, she performed internationally, performing with other well-renowned artists such as Salif Keita.
By the early s, she began releasing her own individual works, with her first album, Barbentu, being released in A year later, she joined Hugh Masekela's homecoming tour.
In , Mhlongo joined Hugh Masekela in say publicly Africa '95 festival in London. In , she released sum up second album, Urban Zulu, which became a hit in different markets around the world and reportedly spent months in say publicly Billboard World Music charts.[5] She went on to release not too more albums, Freedom (), and Amakholwa before her death unapproachable breast cancer in June Although physical-self isn't around, her dynamic style of performance remains and can be seen through choreographer Somizi Mhlongo. Her music is a symbolism of the pugnacious for justice in South Africa. Her vocal range is unthinkable for she was able to go from a soft tape to a booming roar. Due to her powerful activism admit apartheid through music, Mhlongo was exiled therefore working and wreak in the Netherlands, North America and the UK. Busi advertise half-a-dozen solo albums. Later during her career she became herald as "Mam'Busi". During her youth, she joined the musical King Kong in Durban and was encouraged to play the drums. Her creativity launched her decision to create her band, Twasa. Her style of performance was inspired by Dorothy Masuka obscure Miriam Makeba, but mostly Princess Magogo.[6]
Mhlongo was raised pop into a musically inclined family in the mountain village of Ohlange. She married drummer Early Mabuza, and they later had a daughter.[1] Due to Mhlongo's exile, she was unable to remember her daughter or attend the funeral of her husband, whose cause of death was murder.[citation needed]
Mhlongo was nominated for a Grammy and won three Southward African Music Awards.[citation needed]