Young Mbazo

Young Mbazo
Young Mbazo
Also known as	Thee Legacy
Origin	KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Genres	Isicathamiya; jazz; afro-soul; hip hop; R&B;
Years active	2009–present
Labels	Sony Music Entertainment Africa
Spinoff of	Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Members	Babuyile Shabalala; Jabulani Mthembu; Khanyisani Mazibuko; Philani Duma; Emille Ngcobo; Simphiwe Sikhakhane;

Young Mbazo, also known as Thee Legacy, is a distinct South African contemporary isicathamiya ensemble spinoff made up of the sons and grandsons of the multi Grammy-award winning acapella group Ladysmith Black Mambazo.^[1] They rose to stardom as a result of winning the inaugural Sing Off South Africa 2015^[2] a cappella music competition, which aired on SABC 1^[3] and earned them a recording deal with Sony Music Entertainment Africa.

Young Mbazo was nominated at the 16th Metro FM Music Awards in the Best Remix category for radio charting singles "Wena Wedwa" (MusicCraftMAN Mix) and "S’thandwa Sami" (Mr Kamera Remix); making them the only artists to receive more than one nomination in the same MMA16 category that year. Young Mbazo’s Wena Wedwa (MusicCraftMAN Mix) is also featured as a soundtrack to the latest Simba Mapha TVC.^{[citation needed]}

Background

Young Mbazo was founded by Babuyile Shabalala the son of Ladysmith Black Mambazo Mzizi Shabalala and grandson of Ladysmith Black Mambazo founder, Joseph Shabalala member in 2009.^[4]

Before entering The Sing Off South Africa competition in 2015 the group consisted of more than five members. Due to the competition requirements they had to remove some members, as the competition required a maximum of five members.^[5] Jabulani Mthembu decided to eventually change the name because he didn’t want it to look like they were just following in their grandparents’ footsteps, that they would be under their shadow; and so Thee Legacy was born which developed into Young Mbazo after winning the inaugural Sing Off South Africa competition.^{[citation needed]}

Having released the self-titled debut album Thee Legacy, the group released the single "Wena Wedwa", a follow up to their debut "Sthandwa Sami" single which made them the inaugural winners of The Sing Off South Africa 2015. In 2016 the group partnered with Victory “Vix” Chauke from MusicCraftsMan to create the remix of "Wena Wedwa" which has an R&B and afro house sound. The song led to the group's collaboration with the South African heritage brand, Simba, as they provided the soundtrack to the latest Simba Mapha TVC, as Simba celebrated its 60-year anniversary.^{[citation needed]}

Achievements

2016: Received two Metro FM Music Award (MMA16) nominations both in the category for Best Remix for hit singles Wena Wedwa^[6] (MusicCraftMAN Mix) and S’thandwa Sami (Mr Kamera Remix); making them the only artists to receive more than one nomination in the same category at MMA16
2016: Their single Wena Wedwa (MusicCraftMAN Mix) was selected as the soundtrack to the latest Simba Mapha TVC ^[7]
2016: Their single Wena Wedwa (MusicCraftMAN Mix) peaked at #8 on the RAMS Top 100 Chart
2016: Their single Wena Wedwa (MusicCraftMAN Mix) peaked at #1 on the Ukhozi Top 20 Chart
2016: Selected as the New Artist Spotlight by Apple Music
2016: Their music was selected for inclusion on the soundtrack to local film Wonder Boy produced by Kagiso Lediga
2016: Featured on the Afro Café Heritage Day special on SABC 2
2016: Released their debut self-titled album, Thee Legacy^[8]
2015: Signed to Sony Music Entertainment Africa
2015: Inaugural winners of The Sing Off South Africa

Award nominations

2017: Metro FM Music Award (MMA16) Best Remix – Wena Wedwa (MusicCraftMAN Mix)
2017: Metro FM Music Award (MMA16) Best Remix – S’thandwa Sami (Mr Kamera Remix)

Discography

Studio album

Thee Legacy (2016)

External links

Young Mbazo Documentary - ( SABC 1 & Babuyile Shabalala, 2015)
Young Mbazo performs musical tribute to Joseph Shabalala - (SABC News, 2020)

References

^ Gaanakgomo, Constance (30 November 2023). "'Love, peace, harmony': Ladysmith Black Mambazo ready to rock State Theatre on last leg of Legacy Tour". News 24. Archived from the original on 30 November 2023. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
^ "Sing Of South Africa 2015 Winners". Retrieved 21 February 2017.
^ "SABC 1". Archived from the original on 12 February 2017. Retrieved 21 February 2017.
^ Langa, Phumlani S (6 June 2021). "Young Mbazo – A family affair as talented protégés look to impress". City Press. Archived from the original on 6 June 2021. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
^ "Thee Legacy". Bimba. Retrieved 4 September 2017.
^ "Metro FM Music Awards: Full list of nominees". Channel. Retrieved 2017-02-21.
^ "Thee Legacy provide sound track latest simba mapha". 8 December 2016. Retrieved 4 September 2017.
^ "South Africa listen rising Durban based acacapella group". 5 September 2016. Retrieved 4 September 2017.

[1] Gaanakgomo, Constance (30 November 2023). "'Love, peace, harmony': Ladysmith Black Mambazo ready to rock State Theatre on last leg of Legacy Tour". News 24. Archived from the original on 30 November 2023. Retrieved 11 January 2024.

[2] "Sing Of South Africa 2015 Winners". Retrieved 21 February 2017.

[3] "SABC 1". Archived from the original on 12 February 2017. Retrieved 21 February 2017.

[4] Langa, Phumlani S (6 June 2021). "Young Mbazo – A family affair as talented protégés look to impress". City Press. Archived from the original on 6 June 2021. Retrieved 11 January 2024.

[5] "Thee Legacy". Bimba. Retrieved 4 September 2017.

[6] "Metro FM Music Awards: Full list of nominees". Channel. Retrieved 2017-02-21.

[7] "Thee Legacy provide sound track latest simba mapha". 8 December 2016. Retrieved 4 September 2017.

[8] "South Africa listen rising Durban based acacapella group". 5 September 2016. Retrieved 4 September 2017.

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