Biography of Mahlathini

Simon 'Mahlathini' Nkabinde (1938 - July 27, 1999) was a South African mbaqanga singer. Known as the "Lion of Soweto" Nkabinde was the acknowledged originator of the deep-voiced, basso-profundo "groaning" style and was perhaps the most distinguished mgqashiyo (the indestructible beat, a vocal mbaqanga style) male singer. Nkabinde was also a very active live performer in South Africa, recording and performing with the Mahotella Queens and the Makgona Tsohle Band from 1964 to 1971. After several minor 1970s and early '80s comebacks with both the Queens and Makgona Tsohle, Nkabinde was propelled into international stardom during the wake of Paul Simon's Graceland (1987) album in the supergroup Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens.