Busi Mhlongo

Busi Mhlongo, born 1947 as Victoria Busisiwe Mhlongo, is originally from Inanda in Natal, South Africa. She is a virtuoso singer, dancer and composer whose music is often noted for defying categorization. Drawing on various South African styles such as mbaqanga, maskanda, marabi and traditional Zulu, fused with contemporary elements from jazz, funk, rock, gospel, rap, opera, reggae and West African music, she produces a fresh and exciting sound uniquely her own. With infectious music and a singing style that has a universal appeal, she has become known for writing lyrics that carry powerful and poignant messages. In the 60s, she adopted the stage name Vickie, only later changing it to became known by her current name, Busi Mhlongo.

Mhlongo has worked with other top African folk / pop artists, like Hugh Masekela, Dr. Philip Tabane, Mabe Thobejane, and many legends - Robert "Doc" Mthalane making meticulously produced, melodic and modern South African music.

Her work also spans more urban styles, with several tracks on URBANZULU being remixed for the dancefloor.

In 2000, Busi scooped three awards at the FNB South African Music Awards for BEST FEMALE ARTIST, BEST ADULT CONTEMPORARY ALBUM (AFRICA), and BEST AFRICAN POP ALBUM. Busi has since also scored a KORA award and MELT has released a compilation called INDIZA with two new tracks produced by Brice Wassy and a series of remixes by Club 3.30.

The first South African music Benefit concert was held by South African Broadcasting Corporation to celebrate Busi's birthday and raise fund for her hospital bills. Busi has been diagnosed with Cancer and is undergoing treatment. President Thabo Mbheki was one of the Honourable guests.

Her album URBANZULU, is the very first time that Maskanda has been expressed by a Zulu woman commercially to an international audience.

Busi Mhlongo died on June 15, 2010 of breast cancer http://mg.co.za/article/2010-06-16-busi-mhlongo-queen-of-modern-zulu-music-dead-at-62 Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.