The Soul Brothers

Soul Brothers
Also known asYoung Brothers (1970s)
The Soul Brothers
OriginKwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Genres
  • Mbaqanga
  • folk
  • country
  • RnB
  • 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 have released more than 45 albums, including two solo albums by lead vocalist David Masondo with one featuring Deborah Fraser, most of which were certified as gold status by the Recording Industry of South Africa. In total, the band has sold more than five million copies of their albums.[4]

In 2001, the band won a South Africa Music Award for the song "Intombi Yami". In 2011,[5] the band won the South Africa Music Award for best Mbaqanga album. In early 1976, the band released a single, "Mshoza Wami", that sold more than 60,000 units within three months, a rare achievement in the Mbhaqanga music genre.[4][6] The band has played in many countries and has collaborated with many other artists including the legendary Harry Belafonte on his 1988 album “Paradise in Gazankulu”.[1][7][8][9][10][11][12]

Masondo released two solo albums before his death in 2015.[13] One included a collaboration with Deborah Fraser, on the song "Umzal’wam".[2][14][15][16][17]

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

Band members

  • Zenzele “Zakes” Mchunu (bass, 1974–1984; died 1984)
  • David Masondo (drums, lead vocals 1974–2015; died 2015)
  • Tuza Mthethwa (lead guitar, 1974–1979; died 1979)
  • Moses Ngwenya (organ and synthesizers, 1976–present)
  • Themba “American” Zulu (rhythm guitar and backing vocals, 1976–1982; died 1992)
  • Maxwell Mngadi (lead guitar, 1985–2022; died 2022)
  • Sicelo Ndlela (bass, 1985–2024; died 2024)
  • Thomas Phale (saxophone, 1985–2002; died 2002)
  • Bongani Nxele (drums, 1979-2002; died 2002)
  • Skhumbuzo Mabaso (lead guitar 1983-1985; died 2018)

International performances

Discography

Studio albums

  • Mshoza Wami (1977)
  • I Feel So Lonely Without You (1977)
  • Dumela (1977)
  • Mantombanzane (1978)
  • Aye Niyeke Botsotsi (1978)
  • Deliwe (1979)
  • Kulukhuni (1979)
  • Ke Kopa Tshwarelo (1980)
  • Nilindeni (1980)
  • Ukhalelani (1980)
  • uSathane Simehlulile (1981)
  • Isiphiwo (1982)
  • Isicelo (1983)
  • Isithembiso (1984)
  • Isilingo (1985)
  • Uthando (1986)
  • Xola (1987)
  • Usibali (1988)
  • Jive Explosion (Earthworks, 1988)
  • Impimpi (1989)
  • Umhlola (1990)
  • Hluphekile (1991)
  • Uxolo (1992)
  • Vala Umlomo (1993)
  • Jump and Jive (1994)
  • Isigebengu (1995)
  • Indaba (1995)
  • Umshado (1996)
  • Idlozi (1997)
  • Amanikiniki (1998)
  • Isigqebhezana (1999)
  • Induk’Enhle (2001)
  • Rough Guide to the Soul Brothers (2001)
  • Isithothobala (2002)
  • Kuze Kuse (2003)
  • Igobondela (2004)
  • Kings of Mbaqanga: Live in Johannesburg (2005)
  • Into Yamahala (2006)
  • Amacala (2007)
  • Unembeza (2008)
  • Oganda Ganda Vol. 2 (2009)
  • Thul'Ubheke (2010)
  • Amaphutha (2011)
  • Isiphithiphithi (2012)
  • Dlal'ngam (solo album, David Masondo; 2014)
  • Iqiniso (2021)
  • Hamba Naye (2023)
  • 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]

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. 1 2 https://www.chronicle.co.zw/soul-brothers-return-to-bulawayo/
  2. 1 2 "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. 1 2 3 "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.


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