Five-time Grammy winners Ladysmith Black Mambazo return with One Voice One World, a powerful new album created in collaboration with jazz visionary Nduduzo Makhathini and acclaimed vocalist Mbuso Khoza. Released via Gallo Record Company as part of its centenary celebrations, the project stands as both a tribute to a century of African musical excellence and a bold step into the future of global sound.
Blending the timeless beauty of isicathamiya with the expansive spirit of spiritual jazz and indigenous storytelling, One Voice One World bridges generations and genres. At its heart is the focus track Thokola Mama, a deeply resonant offering that captures the emotional gravity and spiritual depth of the album. The harmonies that have defined Ladysmith Black Mambazo for decades are elevated through rich jazz textures and improvisational nuance, creating a body of work that feels both rooted and revolutionary.
This release follows the project’s early milestones, including the audio and video rollout of You Make Me Happy in August 2025 and the audio release of Thokola Mama in February 2026. Together, these moments have built anticipation for a full-length statement that affirms African vocal traditions as a living, evolving force within contemporary music.
Coinciding with an international tour running from February to April 2026, the album further cements Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s role as cultural ambassadors. As they take the stage across global platforms, One Voice One World carries a message of unity, heritage, and artistic innovation. With support from Ukhozi FM and a growing worldwide audience, this release is set to resonate far beyond borders.
ABOUT LADYSMITH BLACK MAMBAZO
Founded by Joseph Shabalala in the 1960s, Ladysmith Black Mambazo is a Grammy-winning choral group from Ladysmith, South Africa. Specializing in isicathamiya, a harmony-rich Zulu a cappella tradition rooted in mbube, the group became globally recognized when Paul Simon featured them on his landmark 1986 album Graceland. Their collaboration continued on the subsequent Graceland tour, introducing audiences worldwide to the depth and power of South African vocal music.
Born in 1941, Joseph Shabalala grew up on a farm near Ladysmith and took on family responsibilities at a young age following his father’s passing. His early musical journey began with local choral groups, eventually leading him to form and lead what would become Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Over decades, the group has collected multiple Grammy Awards and maintained a consistent presence on the international touring circuit, remaining one of Africa’s most celebrated musical exports. Through their evolving collaborations and unwavering commitment to tradition, they continue to shape global conversations around heritage, harmony, and hope.
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