- Nobesuthu Mbadu
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Nobesuthu Gertrude Mbadu Shawe (born April 26, 1945) is a South African mbaqanga singer, and a singer in the acclaimed group the Mahotella Queens. Mbadu was born in Durban, South Africa and was raised by her father Ferguson Mbadu and her grandmother, Selinah Mbadu.[1]
Early life
Mbadu was a singer in both her school and church choirs, and was a member of the acclaimed Amangeyami group. She was spotted by EMI 'black music' talent scout Max Gcaba, who recruited her to EMI where she made several recordings under the name 'Gcaba Sisters'. Rupert Bopape, the black music talent scout for Gallo Record Company (and producer of Gallo's black music unit Mavuthela Music Company) managed to persuade her to move to his stable in 1965. She agreed and was subsequently recruited into his new female group, the Mahotella Queens[1] alongside fellow group members Hilda Tloubatla, Mildred Mangxola, Juliet Mazamisa and Ethel Mngomezulu. The five Queens were then paired with a mbaqanga instrumental team, the Makgona Tsohle Band and the gruff, "groaning" vocals of Simon Mahlathini Nkabinde, and the whole band received instant fame.
In 1971, several original Mahotella Queens, including Mbadu, left to pursue other directions in the music business, and so an entirely new line-up of Queens was formed. Mbadu joined rival group Izintombi Zesi Manje Manje, along with Queens lead singer Hilda Tloubatla.
International fame
In 1983, the five original Queens (Tloubatla, Mbadu, Mangxola, Mazamisa and Mngomezulu) were reunited with Mahlathini and the Makgona Tsohle Band. Their comeback release, Amaqhawe Omgqashiyo, was a hit in South Africa. Due to the success of Paul Simon's Graceland 1986 album and tour (in which he collaborated with Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Stimela and others), South African music was in demand. Three of the original Queens, Tloubatla, Mbadu and Mangxola, were reunited once more with their bandmates. Their international popularity was profound.
Even after the deaths of Mahlathini and several members of the Makgona Tsohle Band, the three Queens (who are all grandmothers and are over sixty years old) remain at the helm today and Mbadu continues to be a part of the Mahotella Queens today.
Notes
Simon Mahlathini Nkabinde
Mahotella Queens: Hilda Tloubatla · Nobesuthu Mbadu · Mildred Mangxola
Makgona Tsohle Band: Marks Mankwane · West Nkosi · Joseph Makwela · Lucky Monama · Vivian Ngubane · Phillemon Hamole · Joey Mabe · Teaspoon Ndelu · Marubini Sam JagomeDiscography Studio albums Meet The Mahotella Queens (1964) · Let's Move With Makhona Tsohle Band (1967) · Isigubu Sabalozi (1969) · Phezulu Egqhudeni (1975) · Umculo Kawupheli (1975) · Marriage Is A Problem (1975) · Walk to Jo'burg (1976) · Best Of The Mahotella Queens (1977) · Izibani Zomgqashiyo (1977) · The Webb · Tsamaya Moratuoa (1980) · Thatha Izimpahla Zakho (1980) · Tsa Lebowa (1982) · Khwatha O Mone (1983) · Amaqhawe Omgqashiyo (1983) · · Mathaka Vol 1 (1983) · Kotopo Vol 2 (1983) · Pheletsong Ya Lerato (1984) · Ulungile (1984) · Ejerusalem Siyakhona (1986) · Thokozile (1986) · Paris - Soweto (1987) · Menate Ea Lefatse (1987) · Melodi Yalla (1988) · Rhythm & Art (1990) · Mbaqanga (1991) · Women of the World (1993) · Stoki Stoki (1994) · Umuntu (1999) · Sebai Bai (2001) · Bazobuya (2004) · Reign & Shine (2005) · Kazet (2006) · Siyadumisa (Songs of Praise) (2007)Compilations The Best of Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens (1991) · The Best Of: The Township Idols (2003) · The Very Best of the Mahotella Queens (2005) · The Hits (2006)
Related articles Categories:- 1945 births
- Living people
- Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens members
- Mbaqanga
- South African female singers
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