The group also became one of very few Zimbabwean outfits to win a contract in the cut-throat South African music industry without having to sweat for it. Lethumbuso Music Promotions, added them to its ranks after seeing them perform just once.
Besides dominating airplay, the 12-member group, which includes five locals, recently became the first Zimbabwean act to be nominated for the annual South African Traditional Music Awards.
The group shot to instant fame, following the success of its album, Emthethwandaba (in court) last year. The album is dominating airplay on local radio stations, especially on the three-day traditional slots of Ukhozi FM.
The group, which sings like legendary and Grammy Award-winning Ladysmith Black Mambazo, also continues to be invited to perform at a number of places around South Africa.
“It all began when we were invited to perform at a traditional music event in the Windybrow Theatre (Johannesburg) last year,” group organiser, Mxolisi Nkomo, told The Zimbabwean.
“People really loved our music and the way we sang. The South Africans joined us soon after that and we began to get calls from people and companies inviting us to perform at various venues in this country.”
The group’s gateway to success opened late that year, when it was invited to back a local artist in Germiston, where it played its recorded CD and was immediately signed on by Lethumbuso Music.
The group is looking at releasing a DVD for the album early next year.
Post published in: Entertainment