Want a taste of South African culture? Kean Stage presents Ladysmith Black Mambazo on Feb. 9 at 7:30 p.m. in the Enlow Recital Hall. Ladysmith Black Mambazo is an all male acapella group that seeks to share joy and positivity through their music. After fifty years, the group is still going strong with their capability to use intricate rhythms and harmonies that transform into various styles of South Africa.

A little history about them: 

• Ladysmith Black Mambazo was created by Joseph Shabalala in the early 1960s
• The word black symbolizes an oxen, the strongest animal on a farm, in tribute to Shabalala's family farm
• The group's music is influenced by a traditional music called isicathamiya, which is South African in nature and pays homage to black workers who were taken by rail to work far away.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo gained worldwide prominence after singing on Paul Simon’s 1986 album Graceland and has won five Grammy Awards. Along with that accomplishment, the group has been able to produce and experiment with songs such as:

• Homeless
• Hello My Baby
• Rain, Rain, Beautiful Rain
• World in Union
• Upendi
• Thalaza

They have also managed to gather two Grammy award nominations on Nov. 28, 2017 for their albums. Songs of Peace & Love for Kids & Parents Around the World was nominated for Best Children's Album of 2017 alongside Shaka Zulu Revisited for Best World Music Album of 2017. Songs of Peace & Love for Kids & Parents Around the World emphasizes the importance of overcoming hard times.

Steve Cochran, Manager of Kean Stage was very enthusiastic about having them at Kean University and was proud to announce that they had won their fifth Grammy this year. 

"This is a concert for Kean students who may be interested in a type of music that emphasizes peace and love. We want to bring a spirituality to Kean and give them something that they can keep forever. We usually plan our concerts a year in advance to ensure that we can produce a good time for the Kean community," Cochran explained.  

"With this children's album, we want to share our songs of peace and love with the little ones. We want parents to have a collection of songs with a positive message to listen to with their kids. We know first hand how hard it is to raise children in a world of conflict, in a world where kids need positive role models and words of encouragement. We hope our songs can be an important part of the lessons of peace and love that all parents want to fill their children with,” explained Ladysmith Black Mambazo member Albert Mazibuko.  

For students and guests interested in catching Ladysmith Black Mambazo at the Kean Stage, visit the Kean Stage where information will be given.