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Vusi Mahlasela
Mahlasela in February 2009
Background information
Born	1965 (age 58–59) Pretoria, South Africa
Origin	South Africa
Genres	African folk, jam band
Occupation(s)	Singer-songwriter, musician
Instrument(s)	Vocals, guitar
Labels	ATO, Wrasse, BMG, RCA, Label Bleu
Website	VusiMahlasela.com

Vusi Sidney Mahlasela Ka Zwane (born 1965 in Pretoria, South Africa) is a Zulu South African singer-songwriter.

His music is generally described as "African folk" and he is often dubbed as "The Voice" of South Africa. 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 has released seven studio albums on Sony in South Africa and was signed to Dave Matthews' ATO Records in 2003. Vusi can also be heard performing on Warren Haynes' Live at Bonnaroo release during the song "Soulshine", and the Dave Matthews Band song, "Everyday", 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 What's Around Vol. 1. Vusi was also one of the performers at the Live 8 concerts and at Live Earth. Vusi performed at Nelson Mandela's inauguration in 1994 and has subsequently performed at Nelson Mandela 90th Birthday Tribute in Hyde Park, London in 2008, and at Mandela Day at Radio City Music Hall in July 2009. His song "When You Come Back" was used at ITV's theme song for their World Cup coverage in 2010 and Vusi performed at the FIFA World Cup Kick Off concert at Orlando Stadium in Soweto, South Africa. In 2012, the SAMA Awards honored Vusi with a lifetime achievement award.

Recent works

His album The Voice released on ATO Records includes the popular track "Weeping", recorded with Josh Groban and Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Vusi joined Mambazo for their October–November UK tour in 2004, and 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 in Arusha, Tanzania. He also performed at TED in Monterey, CA in March 2008. Vusi performed at the Skoll World Forum on 14 April 2010.

On 7 July 2007 Mahlasela performed at the South African leg of Live Earth.

His album Guiding Star, as Naledi Ya Tsela (the name under which it is released in South Africa), won him the 2007 SAMA for Best Male Artist.

He has participated in videos for Playing for Change most notably "One Love" and "Stand By Me".

In April 2009, Vusi joined Bela Fleck on his Throw Down Your Heart Tour and was also featured on his album of the same name.

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. The song was very popular amongst viewers and entered the UK Official Singles Chart on 4 July 2010 at No. 70.

His 2011 album, Say Africa, was produced by legendary bluesman Taj Mahal. The album was released 18 January 2011 on ATO Records.

Since the 2013 release of the live album "Sing To The People (Celebrating 20 Years of 'When You Come Back') on ATO Records", Mahlasela has continued to release albums, most recently in 2020, 2021 and 2023 on the ATO, Strut and Gallo labels.

Discography

Studio albums

Live albums

Soundtracks

Compilation albums

References

1. "When You Come Back (ITV World Cup theme version) – Vusi Mahlasela | Betting Island". 19 August 2014. Archived from the original on 19 August 2014. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
2. "FIFA WORLD CUP KICK–OFF CELEBRATION CONCERT | 10 June 2010 | Control Room". 10 April 2010. Archived from the original on 10 April 2010. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
3. "MTN SAMA 18 salutes Ray Phiri and Vusi Mahlasela - 18TH ANNUAL MTN SA MUSIC AWARDS". 14 April 2012. Archived from the original on 14 April 2012. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
4. "Vusi Mahlasela : The Voice – ATO RECORDS". Atorecords.com. 31 October 2016. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
5. "Vusi Mahlasela Musician - Profile | Skoll World Forum". 16 May 2012. Archived from the original on 16 May 2012. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
6. "Throw Down your Heart". Throwdownyourheart.com. Archived from the original on 5 July 2012. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
7. "Taj Mahal Produces Vusi Mahlasela". Jambands.com. 3 December 2010. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
8. "Say Africa – ATO RECORDS". Atorecords.com. 31 October 2016. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
9. Gedye, Lloyd (7 November 2010). "Return of The Voice". Mail & Guardian.

External links

• Official website
• Vusi Mahlasela at TED
  • "Thula Mama" (TEDGlobal 2007)
  • "Woza" (TEDGlobal 2007)
• A profile of Vusi Mahlasela on Music.org.za
• Mail & Guardian Musical Slideshow: Vusi Mahlasela performs at the KykNET Irene Summer Series near Pretoria, South Africa, October 2009
• Playing for Change – Vusi Mahlasela
• Vusi Mahlasela discography at Discogs

• South African folk singers
• South African guitarists
• 1965 births
• Living people
• ATO Records artists
• Musicians from Pretoria
• South African film score composers
• South African singer-songwriters
• Wrasse Records artists
• South African Sotho people
• Label Bleu artists
• RCA Records artists
• English-language singers from South Africa