The Soul Brothers

Soul Brothers
Also known asYoung Brothers (1970s)
The Soul Brothers
OriginKwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Genres
  • Mbaqanga
  • Folk music
  • Folk
  • Country music
  • Country
  • Rhythm and blues
  • RnB
  • Soul music
  • Soul
InstrumentHammond
Years active1974–present
Labels
  • Gallo Record Company (former)
  • Soul Brothers Records (Pty) Ltd
Members

The Soul Brothers is a South African Mbaqanga music group from KwaZulu-Natal formed in 1975 by Moses Ngwenya and David Masondo.[1][2][3][4] They released more than 45 albums including two solo albums that were released by the lead vocalist David Masondo in collaboration with Deborah Fraser, most of which earned them gold status in the Recording Industry of South Africa. In total, the band has sold more than five million copies of their entire albums.[4]

In 2001, the band won South Africa Music Awards for the song "Intombi Yam", and in 2011,[5] the band won South Africa Music Awards for best Mbaqanga album. In early 1976, the band released a single, "Mshoza Wami", that sold more than 60,000 units within three months, which was a rare achievement in the Mbhaqanga music genre.[4][6] The band has visited many countries and performed in different notable events.[1][7][8][9][10][11][12]

Masondo released two solo albums before his death in 2015.[13] On his solo album, he made collaboration with Debroh Fraser, having featured on a song titled "umzal'wam".[2][14][15][16][17]

In 2018, at the age of 69, Mabaso died after a short illness.[18][19][20][21][22]

Band members

  • Zenzele Zakes Mchunu (bass, 1974–1984)
  • David Masondo (drums, vocals 1974–2015)
  • Tuza Mthethwa (guitar, 1974–1979)
  • Moses Ngwenya (organ, 1976–present)
  • American Zulu (rhythm guitar, 1976–1982)
  • Maxwell Mngadi (lead guitar, 1985–present)
  • Sicelo Ndlela (bass, 1985–present)
  • Thomas Phale (saxophone, 1985–2002)

International performances

Discography

Studio albums

  • Mantombazane (1978)
  • Jive Explosion (Earthworks)(1988)
  • Kulukhuni
  • Ezinkulu
  • Indaba
  • Isigqebhezana
  • Jump and Jive (1994)
  • Idlozi (1997)
  • Amanikiniki (1998)
  • Isigqebhezana (1999)
  • Intombi Yami (2000)
  • Induk' Enhle (2001)
  • Isithothobala (2002)
  • Kuze Kuse (2003)
  • Nilindeni (2004)
  • Igobondela (2004)
  • Ke Kopa Tshwarelo (2004)
  • Deliwe
  • Mshoza Wami
  • Ukhalelani
  • Usathane Simehlulile
  • Ugroove lobani (2005)
  • Hluphekile
  • Xola
  • Impimpi
  • Isicelo
  • Isithembiso
  • Uxolo
  • Usibali
  • Isigebengu
  • Iqiniso
  • Vala Umlomo
  • Ugruva Nobani
  • Indaba
  • Umhlola
  • Isilingo
  • Into Yamahala (2006)
  • Isiphiwo (2007)
  • Amacala
  • Unembeza (2008)
  • Oganda Ganda Vol. 2 (2009)
  • Thul'Ubheke (2010)
  • Dlal'ngam (solo album David Masondo) (2014)
  • Thath' owakho (2025)

Awards and nominations

Year Award Ceremony Prize Result Ref.
2001 South Africa Music Awards "Intombi Yam" Won
2008 "Macala" Nominated [23][24]
2011 Best Mbaqanga album Won
2024 Best Traditional Music Album Won [25]

Accolades

  • South Africa Music Awards

Further reading

  • Max Mojapelo, Sydney Fetsie Maluleke (2017). The Life and Times: Soul Brothers: Through the Eyes of Black Moses Ngwenya. Soweto: Maluks Books. ISBN 9780620750790.

References

  1. ^ a b https://www.chronicle.co.zw/soul-brothers-return-to-bulawayo/
  2. ^ a b "The Soul Brothers Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  3. ^ Radio, Nehanda (5 July 2015). "Soul Brothers vocalist David Masondo dies". Nehanda Radio. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  4. ^ a b c "Soul Brothers". Music In Africa. 27 May 2014. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  5. ^ "SAMA 2011 winners". Bizcommunity. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  6. ^ "Soul Brothers (2)". Discogs. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  7. ^ Radio, Nehanda (18 December 2017). "Soul Brothers in Byo festive gig". Nehanda Radio. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  8. ^ Import, Pongrass (2 March 2018). "Kings of Mbaqanga fans are in for a treat". Kathorus Mail. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  9. ^ https://www.chronicle.co.zw/soul-brothers-in-zimbabwe-for-unity-day-xmas-concerts/
  10. ^ World, Sunday (28 February 2022). "Charmza of the week: Soul Brothers". Sunday World. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  11. ^ Jemwa, Simba. "Soul Brothers announce 2022 Zim tour". chronicle.co.zw.
  12. ^ "Riots In Bulawayo After Power Failure At Packed Soul Brothers Concert – ZimEye". 30 September 2018. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  13. ^ https://www.enca.com/south-africa/soul-brothers-lead-singer-dies
  14. ^ Zuma, Mbalenhle (29 August 2023). "Soul Brothers celebrate journey and heritage with book release". Sunday World. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  15. ^ "Soul Brothers' lead singer David Masondo passes away". TimesLIVE. 6 July 2015. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  16. ^ Radio, Nehanda (7 October 2018). "'Sometimes I imagine him next to me'. . . . . . Moses Ngwenya on life after David Masondo". Nehanda Radio. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  17. ^ Radio, Nehanda (10 July 2015). "Soul Brothers legend Masondo had 40 children with different women". Nehanda Radio. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  18. ^ "SA: Soul Brother Lemmy Mabaso to be buried tomorrow". Music In Africa. 13 April 2018. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  19. ^ Khoza, Amanda. "Youth must learn from The Soul Brothers - Mthethwa". News24. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  20. ^ Bambalele, Patience. "Ngwenya's soul touched by Unisa honorary doctorate". SowetanLIVE. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  21. ^ "Mbaqanga icons have stood the test of time". SowetanLIVE. 12 August 2011. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  22. ^ "Another Soul Brother Dies – ZimEye". Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  23. ^ "SAMA 2008: Nominees announced". Life. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  24. ^ "SAMA 2008: All the Winners!". Life. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  25. ^ "Sensational Tyla leads the pack with five SAMA30 nominations". Sunday World. 26 September 2024. Retrieved 26 September 2024.