On November 9, 2008, Zenzile Miriam Makeba died aged 76. She was singer, songwriter, actress, civil rights activist, and United Nations goodwill ambassador, nicknamed Mama Africa. She was the first African woman to win a “Grammy Award” (for “Best Folk Recording” in 1966 with Harry Belafonte for “An Evening with Belafonte and Makeba”). Makeba popularized African music among Western audience. Few of her popular songs were critical of apartheid, making her a symbol of opposition to the apartheid and white-minority government in South Africa. Upon her death, former Nelson Mandela said “her music inspired a powerful sense of hope in all of us.”
Tag Archives: Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela: An International Tribute for a Free South Africa
On April 16, 1990, concert named “Nelson Mandela: An International Tribute for a Free South Africa” was held at Wembley Stadium, London. It was held two months after Nelson Mandela was released from prison and was broadcasted in 60 countries. The concert artist line-up included: Anita Baker, Bonnie Raitt, Chrissie Hynde, Jackson Browne, Lou Reed, Natalie Cole, Neil Young, Peter Gabriel, Simple Minds, Tracy Chapman, Stetsasonic, André A. Jackson, Aswad, Ben Elton, Caiphus Semenya, Daniel Lanois, Denzel Washington, Dudu Pukwana, Geoffrey Oreyama, George Duke, Jerry Dammers, Johnny Clegg, Jonas Gwangwa, Jungle Brothers, Lenny Henry, Letta Mbulu, Little Steven, Manhattan Brothers, Mica Paris, Neneh Cherry, Neville Brothers, Patti Labelle, Shikisha, Steven Van Zandt,Terence Trent D’Arby and Youssou N’Dour.
musicalphabet 