

South African musician Vusi Mahlasela signing CDs after a performance at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at the University of Maryland Topics: Entertainment, Music Tags: Vusi Mahlasela View |
Tags: Vusi Mahlasela View |
Tags: Vusi Mahlasela View |
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Vusi Sidney Mahlasela Ka Zwane (born 1965 in Pretoria) is a Sotho (Basotho) South African singer-songwriter.
His music is generally described as "African folk". 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 can also be heard performing on Warren Haynes Live at Bonnaroo release during the song "Soulshine", and the Dave Matthews Band song, "Everyday (Everyday (Dave Matthews Band song))", 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 Whats Around Vol. 1. Vusi was also one of the performers at the Live 8 concerts.
Vusi played a very mellow pre-lunch solo set to an appreciative audience (those capable of functioning at that hour) at the 2004 Falls Festival that was concluded with a superb performance of Red Song in The Big Top, before joining Xavier Rudd on the main Valley Stage to a raptuous reception.
His album The Voice includes the popular track "Weeping", recorded with Josh Groban and Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Vusi joined Mambazo for their October-November UK (United Kingdom) tour in 2004, and will join them 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.
On 7 July 2007 Mahlasela performed at the South African leg (Live Earth concert, Johannesburg) of Live Earth.
His most recent album, Guiding Star, as Naledi Ya Tsela (the name under which it is released in South Africa) won him the 2007 SAMA (South African Music Awards) for Best Male Artist.
ITV used his song When You Come Back as their main theme for the opening credits of their coverage of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
Background: solo_singer
Birth Location: Pretoria, South Africa
Origin: South Africa
Instrument: Vocals, guitar
Genre: African folk, jam band
Occupation: Singer-songwriter, musician
Website: www.vusimahlasela.com