Vusi Mahlasela

Biography

Vusi Sidney Mahlasela Ka Zwane (born 1965) is a Zulu South African singer-songwriter. He was born in Pretoria.
His music is generally described as "African folk" and he is often dubbed as "The Voice×The Voice22 July 2003 · ReleaseSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1Melodi Ya Mamelodi2:472Silang Mabele5:383When You Come Back4:104Weeping5:395Sleep Tight Margaret4:096Red Song4:277Troubadour4:328Emtini Wababe4:369Fountain3:2410Untitled4:0411Mma Modiane4:5312Loneliness4:2913Ntate Mahlasela3:2714A Prayer For Our Time2:37" of South Africa. His work was an inspiration to many in the anti-apartheid movement. His themes include the struggle for freedom, and forgiveness and reconciliation with enemies. Vusi has released seven studio albums on Sony in South Africa and was signed to Dave Matthews' ATO Records in 2003. Vusi can also be heard performing on Warren Haynes' Live at Bonnaroo release during the song "Soulshine", and the Dave Matthews Band song, "Everyday", from the album of the same name as well as a live version of the song with him which appears on the album The Best of What's Around Vol. 1. Vusi was also one of the performers at the Live 8 concerts and at Live Earth. Vusi performed at Nelson Mandela's inauguration in 1994 and has subsequently performed at Nelson Mandela 90th Birthday Tribute in Hyde Park, London in 2008, and at Mandela Day at Radio City Music Hall in July 2009. His song "When You Come Back×When You Come Back1994 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1When You Come Back4:102Melodi Ya Mamelodi2:473Manana4:174Tonkana4:475Epitoli3:326Gijimane Masotsha3:097Hello Mams3:588In Solitary Confinement3:539Red Song4:2210Vision4:1411[untitled]4:0212Mayibuye2:41" was used at ITV's theme song for their World Cup coverage in 2010 and Vusi performed at the FIFA World Cup Kick Off concert at Orlando Stadium in Soweto, South Africa. In 2012, the SAMA Awards honored Vusi with a lifetime achievement award.

Recent works

His album The Voice×The Voice22 July 2003 · ReleaseSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1Melodi Ya Mamelodi2:472Silang Mabele5:383When You Come Back4:104Weeping5:395Sleep Tight Margaret4:096Red Song4:277Troubadour4:328Emtini Wababe4:369Fountain3:2410Untitled4:0411Mma Modiane4:5312Loneliness4:2913Ntate Mahlasela3:2714A Prayer For Our Time2:37 released on ATO Records includes the popular track "Weeping", recorded with Josh Groban and Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Vusi joined Mambazo for their October–November UK tour in 2004, and again for their 2007 UK tour, again from October to November 2007.
He and other South African musicians took part in the 2002 documentary Amandla!: A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony where they recalled the days of Apartheid.
In June 2007, Mahlasela spoke of apartheid and performed "Thula Mama" at the TED Conference in Arusha, Tanzania. He also performed at TED in Monterey, CA in March 2008. Vusi performed at the Skoll World Forum on 14 April 2010.
On 7 July 2007 Mahlasela performed at the South African leg of Live Earth.
His album Guiding Star×Guiding Star6 March 2007 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 16 tracks1Jabula5:092Heaven in My Heart4:453Moleko3:284Chamber of Justice4:415Tibidi Waka3:426Everytime4:167Sower of Words4:238Ntombi Mbali4:179River Jordan4:5910Song for Thandi3:1511Mighty River3:2712Thula Mama3:4313Our Sand6:0014Tonti3:4715Susana3:1716Pata Pata4:33, as Naledi Ya Tsela (the name under which it is released in South Africa), won him the 2007 SAMA for Best Male Artist.
He has participated in videos for Playing for Change most notably "One Love" and "Stand By Me".
In April 2009, Vusi joined Bela Fleck on his Throw Down Your Heart Tour and was also featured on his album of the same name.
ITV used his song "When You Come Back×When You Come Back1994 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1When You Come Back4:102Melodi Ya Mamelodi2:473Manana4:174Tonkana4:475Epitoli3:326Gijimane Masotsha3:097Hello Mams3:588In Solitary Confinement3:539Red Song4:2210Vision4:1411[untitled]4:0212Mayibuye2:41" as their main theme for the opening credits of their coverage of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. The song was very popular amongst viewers and entered the UK Official Singles Chart on 4 July 2010 at No. 70.
His 2011 album, Say Africa×Say Africa2010 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1Say Africa5:012Woza4:243Re Yo Tshela Kae4:044Conjecture of the Hour4:275Umalume5:436Mokalanyane4:357In Anyway5:198Ode to Lesego5:339Vezubuhle2:5010Nakupende Africa3:1111Korodi4:5112Ba Kae?5:0513Naka Mokhura4:0714Ntate Mandela6:06, was produced by legendary bluesman Taj Mahal. The album was released 18 January 2011 on ATO Records.
Since the 2013 release of the live album "Sing To The People (Celebrating 20 Years of 'When You Come Back') on ATO Records", Mahlasela has continued to release albums, most recently in 2020, 2021 and 2023 on the ATO, Strut and Gallo labels.