Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

MAHOTELLA QUEENS

Vocal group formed '64, South Africa by Robert Bopape (earlier involved with the Dark City Sisters) as a vehicle for his songwriting. With the help of well- established vocalists incl. Mahlathini, the group became one of the most prolific and popular vocal 'jive' acts in SA, touring widely, often supported by Abafana (another top vocal group with gold albums). The Queens and Mahlathini released hundreds of singles, scores of LPs, mostly not available outside SA, incl. Meet The Mahotella Queens, with their simanje-manje beat. Phezulu Eqhudeni '83 issued in UK on Earthworks, with the Queens, Mahlathini and the Mthunzini Girls. They were influential, imitators incl. Malcolm McLaren ('Jive, Baby, Jive' on his album Duck Rock). Izibani, Marriage Is A Problem '91 and Women Of The World '93 were issued on Shanachie CDs.