Table of contentsWhat is South African music?History of South African musicPolitical influenceLadysmith Black MambazoMiriam MakebaJohnny CleggConclusionReferenceWhat is southern music -African?South African music reflects the complex history of African and Western traditions, and of conflict and determination. South Africa sits in the southernmost tip of Africa and is home to a myriad of indigenous cultures – it's the only country in the world to have 11 official languages, which is just how diverse this country is. South Africa has a vibrant music scene populated by a wide range of styles and genres and has seen the birth of many original genres such as Kwaito, Mbube and African jazz. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essayAmong South Africa's many cultures are the Khoisan, who are a group of two "tribes", the Khoi and the San. The Khoisan people sang polyphonic songs (one sound involving many sounds or voices) in which many independent melodies are sung at the same time. Another tribe, the KwaXhosa, similar to the Khoisan people, made up of several ethnic groups, have strong oral musical traditions, with women performing songs and dances during ceremonies and other cultural events. Another culture that is most popular today is that of the Zulus and who use a cappella singing. Many of these cultures also use a variety of musical instruments which will be discussed later in this report in their own section. All of these musical traditions have merged over time to become major influences of what is known today as traditional South African music. History of South African Music The history of South African music dates back to the 1920s. During this time, government restrictions on black people increased by announcing a nighttime curfew and restricting their freedom of movement, which has reduced Johannesburg's nightlife to relatively small. However, this did not stop their love and appreciation of music, and a style called Marabi developed from the slums of Johannesburg, becoming popular music in South Africa's urban centers and townships. . Marabi is a keyboard style that has a musical connection to Ragtime, Blues and American Jazz. It was usually played on pianos in local shebeens (illicit bar or club where it was frequented by blacks who were prohibited from buying and drinking alcohol). By the 1930s, Marabi had introduced new instruments, including guitars and banjos, giving rise to new styles. from Marabi. Among these was a Swing/Marabi fusion called African Jazz and Jive. The following video is a comparable representation of what this would have looked like. The 1930s also saw the rise of Isicathamiya, a Zulu style of a cappella singing. The popularity of the style led to the popularity of Solomon Linda, who wrote and recorded the 1939 hit, Mbube (The Lion Sleeps Tonight). The song was later adapted and covered internationally by many pop and folk artists of the 1950s. Today, a cover of this song is extremely well known. During the 1940s and 1950s, the South African music industry diversified considerably as radio became available throughout the country. The first major style of South African pop music to emerge was pennywhistle jive (later known as kwela) – pennywhistle-based street music with jazz foundations and adistinguished rhythm similar to that of a skiffle. It evolved from the Marabi sound and propelled South African music to international prominence. In the 1960s, Jive continued to be regulated only by the townships and the genre would later be called Mbaqanga. The early 1960s saw electric instruments, Marabi and Kwela influences added to the Mbaqanga style, leading to a groovier and more African sound. During this period, Mbaqanga also developed harmonies by replicating American vocals, such as Doo Wop. Therefore, jazz was divided into two groups of dance and avant-garde jazz inspired by Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane and Sonny. By the 1970s, very few long-running Mgqashiyo groups were well known. With progressive jazz hampered by government repression, Marabi-style dance groups became famous in the jazz world. Ladysmith Black Mambazo, who emerged in the late 1960s, became one of the major Isicathamiya icons in South African history. Their debut album, Amabutho (1973), was the first South African gold record by any black musician. The group continued to prosper extremely well in the decades that followed, particularly after 1986, when Paul Simon recorded the group with him on his acclaimed album, Graceland. The legendary group has since won four Grammys. In the 1980s, alternative rock became popular in the Durban and Johannesburg music scene. In 1994, when apartheid ended, a number of groups emerged with a South African hip hop style called Kwaito. Kwaito is a variation of House music using African samples, synthesizers and vocals usually sung or shouted. During the 2000s and 2010s, Blues Rock, Drum and Bass and psychedelic trance appeared, while Kwaito continued to seduce the masses. The South African music scene has to a large extent been characterized by groups seeking to emulate genres popular abroad. Political influence “If anything good came from apartheid in South Africa, it was the music that was created in opposition.” Every aspect of life in South Africa was influenced by apartheid between 1948 and the very special day of April 27, 1994. Culturally, music functioned as a popular initiative and response to the political repression of that era. As a result, apartheid shaped the tones, lyrics and styles of most African music written during that era, leaving in its wake a large group of musicians who produced deeply powerful and moving music that helped unite oppressed African compatriots and to educate the rest. of the world, of what was really happening in South Africa; disastrous political circumstances. There is quite a long list of musicians who have used their music and influence to fight against political oppression. Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Hugh Masekela, Miriam Makeba, Brenda Fassie and Johnny Clegg were notable artists who used their music to fight against the overwhelming injustice of apartheid. There are a myriad of other musicians and artists who fought against the political power that was in place during the apartheid period, although Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Miriam Makeba and Johnny Clegg will be seen in the sections to come. Music first began as a mirror. reflecting popular experience. However, over time, as resistance movements began to surface in the masses, creative expression and music began to become a hammer with which to shape reality. In this sense, music in South Africa, which reflected experiences and concerns/