Mahotella Queens - Umculo Kawupheli (1974)

The classic Mahotella Queens hit song, "Umculo Kawupheli" (Our Music Will Never End), from 1974. Original song with self-made video, featuring clips of the Queens back in the 1970s with their backing, Makhona Tsohle Band.

Queens: Hilda Tloubatla (lead singer), Emily Zwane, Thandi Nkosi, Thandi Radebe, Beatrice Ngcobo, Caroline Kapentar, Zelda Malgas, and Maggie Khumalo.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Mahlathini
• Mahotella
• Queens
• Mbaqanga
• Mgqashiyo
• World
• Music
• South
• Africa
• Umculo
• Kawupheli
• Zulu
• Makgona
• Makhona
• Tsohle
• Band
• Mavuthela

[edzillion]

Is that West Nkosi at the start?

[NickLotay]

Well spotted - yes it is, with engineer Peter Ceronio.

[BahmanG]

on what album can i find this song?

[NickLotay]

This song was released on the LPs "Duck Food" and "Soweto Never Sleeps - Classic Female Zulu Jive". I think both are now on CD, but you can find the record releases on eBay from time to time.

Alternatively there's a CD from the UK called "The Best of Mahotella Queens - The Township Idols", released in 2003, which is still available to buy and has this song on it. Hope I helped...

[BahmanG]

Thank you. I have the cd "Bazobuya", but want to explore other works. Can you recommend any other Mahotella Queens cds or even any other South African artists and cds. I love the music but I am still relatively new to it and dont know where to begin exploring.

Thanks again for taking the time....

[NickLotay]

You're very welcome. I'll have to post my responses in two parts, as YouTube doesn't like me going over the character limit!!

I guess that any "Best of" collection you can find provides a good summary of the Queens' career. I can recommend the brilliant albums "Thokozile", "Paris - Soweto", and "Melodi Yalla" - these late 1980s albums (all now on CD) really capture the sound of Mahlathini & the Queens at the time of their first wave of international success.

[NickLotay]

Now to continue... the early sound of the group (1960s/70s) are captured brilliant in the already-mentioned "Soweto" as well as "Putting on the Light". Mahlathini's fantastic, gritty '70s solo songs can be found on the CDs "The Lion of Soweto" and "King of the Groaners". Related acts: Makgona Tsohle Band (Mahlathini & the Queens backing band), Abafana Baseqhudeni (something of a male counterpart to the Queens), Izintombi Zesi Manje Manje, and (even earlier) the Dark City Sisters.

Hope I helped!

[hollywoodpsychic]

This footage is INCREDIBLE!

I love them so much. Thanks for posting.

[groovemonzter]

The real roots music.

[amannc1]

When I see Hilda still so young! And they are still on stage, aren't they?

[banksidematt]

Mahotella Queens are just amazing and talented beyond measure, they enrich the lives of all who hear their beautiful music. Brings back memories of my childhood growing up in South Africa. Thanks for sharing with us.

[joehiggs100]

Excellent, many thanks.

[sodreemful]

The Queens are hot and i feel their feelings, its lovely.

[verust]

love it! where did the footage come from?

[stretchmorgan]

Truly one of the best clips on the net. Loving the wrong note at 1.40. Who'd dare leave such a thing in nowadays? Does it make it a bad performance? Of course it doesn't! Recordings are so anal these days. They bore the pants off me. Lets bring back this approach. It makes you feel like a human being!

[worotan]

@BahmanG Hey there, Strut records have just put out a series of South Africa music that's all this style. Well worth checking out, more of this amazing music.

Hope that helps man.

[Tem848]

Hehehe..Umunt'omdala akalahlwa madoda!This one reminds me of a Swazi Radio D.J Percival Lucky Likhwa Mtjali!He plays Mahlathini everyday!

[amoz614]

@ZuluMuntu you are a true buddie then.This music brings tears into my eyes,its sweetness brings hurting and joyous memories from yesteryear