Artist Bio
One of the hardest things to learn as a musician is when to not only recognize inspiration, but when to trust and follow it. Over a musically and socially consequential career, South African singer-songwriter and poet-activist Vusi Mahlasela has successfully followed his muse. That trust in his gift is at the root of his latest album, Guiding Star, for which he recently won "Best Male Artist" at the SAMA awards.
Mahlasela wrote and recorded this album as he toured the globe. Its soul-stirring title is very much a product of the new friends he's met and experiences he's had touring. Bearing the influences of various music and voices from throughout the world, Guiding Star features guest appearances from friend (and partial ATO Records label head) Dave Matthews ("Sower of Words"), band leader and Allman Brothers guitarist Derek Trucks ("Tibidi Waka"), Australian didgeridoo star Xavier Rudd ("Chamber of Justice"), singer-songwriter Jem ("Everytime") and longtime friends and touring mates Ladysmith Black Mambazo ("Heaven In My Heart"). Mahlasela also drew on the talents of numerous South African guests, including the legendary "Black Moses" Ngwenya of the Soul Brothers, the children's choir from the Agnes Chidi School in his home Township, Mamelodi, and the KCC Gospel, among many others.
Mahlasela, an accomplished guitarist, percussionist, composer, arranger, band leader and performer, has bridged generations at home and abroad. His sound is a hybrid of folk, world, blues and soul, one that connects South Africa's Apartheid-scarred past with its promise for a better future. Over the past three years of heavy, world-wide touring and spreading his message, Mahlasela has remained true to his roots. After the end of Apartheid, Vusi performed at Mandela's inauguration in 1994, and is now an ambassador to Mandela's 46664 Foundation, a campaign to help raise Global awareness of Aids/ HIV. This summer, Vusi performed at Mandela's 90th Birthday Celebration in London, featuring Vusi, Amy Winehouse, Queen, Johnny Clegg, Will Smith and many more.
"Vusi has a sort of profound beauty about him. He has a light on... And that's something he would share with Bob Marley, Neil Young, Marvin Gaye or Miles Davis."
-- Dave Matthews
"A rare and mesmerizing musical mind..." -LA TIMES
Mahlasela wrote and recorded this album as he toured the globe. Its soul-stirring title is very much a product of the new friends he's met and experiences he's had touring. Bearing the influences of various music and voices from throughout the world, Guiding Star features guest appearances from friend (and partial ATO Records label head) Dave Matthews ("Sower of Words"), band leader and Allman Brothers guitarist Derek Trucks ("Tibidi Waka"), Australian didgeridoo star Xavier Rudd ("Chamber of Justice"), singer-songwriter Jem ("Everytime") and longtime friends and touring mates Ladysmith Black Mambazo ("Heaven In My Heart"). Mahlasela also drew on the talents of numerous South African guests, including the legendary "Black Moses" Ngwenya of the Soul Brothers, the children's choir from the Agnes Chidi School in his home Township, Mamelodi, and the KCC Gospel, among many others.
Mahlasela, an accomplished guitarist, percussionist, composer, arranger, band leader and performer, has bridged generations at home and abroad. His sound is a hybrid of folk, world, blues and soul, one that connects South Africa's Apartheid-scarred past with its promise for a better future. Over the past three years of heavy, world-wide touring and spreading his message, Mahlasela has remained true to his roots. After the end of Apartheid, Vusi performed at Mandela's inauguration in 1994, and is now an ambassador to Mandela's 46664 Foundation, a campaign to help raise Global awareness of Aids/ HIV. This summer, Vusi performed at Mandela's 90th Birthday Celebration in London, featuring Vusi, Amy Winehouse, Queen, Johnny Clegg, Will Smith and many more.
"Vusi has a sort of profound beauty about him. He has a light on... And that's something he would share with Bob Marley, Neil Young, Marvin Gaye or Miles Davis."
-- Dave Matthews
"A rare and mesmerizing musical mind..." -LA TIMES