IndexWhat is South African music?History of South African musicPolitical influenceLadysmith Black MambazoMiriam MakebaJohnny CleggConclusionReferenceWhat is South African music?South African music reflects the complex history of African and Western traditions and conflict and determination. South Africa is located at the southern 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, that's how diverse this country really is. South Africa has a vibrant music scene, populated by a wide assortment 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 Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Among the many cultures of South Africa are the Khoisan, which is a group of two "tribes", the Khoi and the San. The Khoisan people sang polyphonic songs (a sound involving many sounds or voices) in which numerous independent melodies are sung simultaneously. Another tribe, the KwaXhosa, who are similar to the Khoisan people in that they consist of multiple ethnic groups, have strong oral musical traditions, with women performing songs and dances for ceremonies and other cultural events. Another culture that is the most popular culture these days are the Zulus and they use a cappella singing. Many of these cultures also use a variety of musical instruments which will be discussed later in this report in the dedicated section. All these musical traditions have merged over time to become the main influences of what is now known as traditional South African music. History of South African musicThe history of South African music dates back to the 1920s. During this period, government restrictions on blacks were amplified by announcing a night curfew and limiting their freedom of movement, which made Johannesburg's nightlife relatively small. However, this did not inhibit their love and appreciation of music, and a style called Marabi developed from the slums of Johannesburg, becoming popular music in the urban centers and townships of South Africa. Marabi is a keyboard style that has a musical connection to Ragtime, Blues and American Jazz. It was usually played on pianos in local shebeen (illegal bars or clubs where it was frequented by black people who were prohibited from purchasing and drinking alcohol). By the 1930s, Marabi had introduced new instruments, including guitars and banjos, giving rise to new styles. of Marabi. Among these was a Swing/Marabi fusion called African jazz and jive. The following video is a comparable representation of what it would sound 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 1950s pop and folk revival artists. Today a cover of this song is extremely well known. In the 1940s and 1950s the South African music industry diversified significantly 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 underpinnings and a distinct, skiffle-like rhythm. It evolved from the Marabi sound and catapulted South African music into international prominence. In the 1960s, Jive continued to be regulated only in the townships and this genre later came to be called Mbaqanga. The early 1960s saw electric instruments and Marabi and Kwela influences added to the Mbaqanga style, leading to amore groovy and African sound. During this period, Mbaqanga also developed harmonies replicating American vocals, such as Doo Wop. As a result, jazz was divided into two dance groups.and avant-garde jazz inspired by the likes of Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane and Sonny. In the 1970s, very few long-established Mgqashiyo groups were well known. With progressive jazz hampered by government repression, Marabi-style dance bands became famous in the jazz world. Ladysmith Black Mambazo, which emerged in the late 1960s, became one of the major Isicathamiya icons in South African history. Their first album, Amabutho (1973), was the first South African gold record by all black musicians. The band continued to do very well in the following decades, especially after 1986, when Paul Simon had with him the recording of his acclaimed album Graceland. The legendary group has since won four Grammys. In the 1980s, alternative rock became popular on the Durban and Johannesburg music scene. In 1994, when apartheid ended, numerous bands emerged with a South African hip hop style called Kwaito. Kwaito is a variation of House music characterized by the use of African samples, synthesizers and generally sung or shouted voices. Throughout the 2000s and into the 2010s, blues rock, drum and bass and psychedelic trance appear, while Kwaito continues to attract the masses. The South African music scene was largely characterized by bands seeking to emulate genres popular abroad. Political influence "If anything good came from apartheid South Africa, it was the music created in opposition to it." Every aspect of life in South Africa was affected by apartheid between 1948 and the very special day of 27 April 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 this era, leaving in its wake a large group of musicians who produced deeply powerful and moving music that helped unite other oppressed Africans and educate the rest. of the world of what was really happening in South Africa; the terrible political circumstances. There is a long list of musicians who have used their music and influence to push back against political oppression. Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Hugh Masekela, Miriam Makeba, Brenda Fassie and Johnny Clegg were the prominent artists who used their music to fight the oppressive injustice of apartheid. There are a host of other musicians and artists who fought against the political power that was supposed to exist during the apartheid era, although Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Miriam Makeba and Johnny Clegg will be noted in later sections. Music initially began as a mirror. reflecting popular experience. However, over time, as resistance movements began to emerge in the masses, creative expression and music began to become a hammer with which to shape reality. In this sense, music in South Africa went from reflecting common experiences and concerns in the early years of apartheid to ultimately functioning as a power to confront the state and as a means of actively constructing an alternative political and social reality. During apartheid, it was extremely difficult for black musicians to perform in South Africa, the fact that it was a formal means of work was definitely not a matter to be taken seriously. Black people were not seen as equal and were denied many opportunities and human rights. At the same time, reassuringly, performances by white musicians who were outspoken and against apartheid or even those who performed/