AFRIKA MAMAS: Ilanga

Afrika Mamas

EUCD2947

Afrika Mamas return with their fifth release, Ilanga (The Sun). A stunning album of a cappella music. Their interpretation of John Lennon's "Imagine," newly arranged with Zulu vocal accompaniment, is truly special.

The album also features songs written with the sons of the late Joseph Shabalala, founder of Ladysmith Black Mambazo. As always, the ladies deliver a powerful album that addresses social issues in South Africa and offers a hopeful message for the future. "Amazing Zulu singers" (Songlines magazine) Afrika Mamas are a fairytale group with a vision to promote African culture through music and theater.

Furthermore, they aim to develop an "edutainment" approach, educating their audience with various African folktales while entertaining them and breaking stereotypes about some African cultural traits. They are all single mothers with a total of eleven children. They have a strong friendship and deep trust in each other, which further strengthens the bond they have maintained over the years.

They were formed in 1998 by their bandleader, Ntombifuthi Lushaba, while the other group members worked as backing vocalists for various artists such as Tu Nokwe, Brenda Fassie, and Steve Kekana. Since forming as Afrika Mamas, they have collaborated with a number of South African and Afrikaans-speaking musicians, including Janni Moolman, Amanda Strydom, and Dozi, to name a few.

CD x 1

ARC Music

2/26/21

5019396294721