Malaika is a pop group from South Africa made up of
Jabulani Herald Ndaba (Jabulani), Matshediso
Florence Mholo (Tshedi), and Bongani Kevin Nchang (Bongani).
They consider their producer, Guffy Pilane, a fourth
member. Their style can be grouped under kwaito,
rock or Afro-pop. Their music is a perfect blend of
post-kwaito, post-mbaqanga and neo-soul.
Malaika
These three young musicians are without a doubt
unequalled in the history of South African pop music
that a debut album Malaika hit multiple platinum (7
in all). There is simply no group or artist who has
ever managed such a feat with a debut album. So the
weight to produce the second album that would equal,
if not surpass, the debut was all the more heavy.
Malaika releases the sophomore album Vuthelani to a
sceptical media and entertainment industry but with
the palpable weight of an expectant music-buying
public.
Barely arrived on the market Vuthelani scooped the
Kora for Best Southern Group in December (2005) at
Kora Awards where Malaika rendered an accomplished
performance amid amateurish performances by their
continental peers. But these awards merely
confirming what the music-buying public, the most
important aspect of the recording chain, had already
bestowed in the group.
Malaika
In another continent-wide award ceremony Malaika
fetched Best Afro-Pop Group in 2005 Channel O Music
Video Awards. Before then Malaika had romped home
with three worthy awards from South Africa’s leading
commercial radio station’s recognition ceremony
Metro FM Music Awards: Best Afro-Pop album, Best
Group, Best Album. Oddly enough, they were not
considered for Best Newcomer, an award the group
would have easily won.
Malaika
Malaika testifies to the power of three: the trio,
generally possessing peerless elemental power in the
history of pop music.
The trio’s strongest point is their ability to
harmoniously fuse their voices, adding three
dimensions to a song. This not only brings their
music to life but spices it up in a manner that adds
flavour to it. Right now that versatility is adding
a continental spin to their sound. As often is the
case, artists are judged by their last offering. A
case in point with Malaika, but inasmuch as you dig
deep to find similarities or areas of dissension in
their music, you are met with confident maturity and
constant effort to improve on the last offering.
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