Hear SiriusXM's special tribute to Ladysmith Black Mambazo founder Joseph Shabalala

SiriusXM will honor the life and legacy of Ladysmith Black Mambazo founder Joseph Shabalala — who died at the age of 78 on Tuesday, February 11 — with a special tribute during The Village Folk Show on The Bridge (Ch. 32). Throughout the broadcast, host Mary Sue Twohy will remember the late music icon and air Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s music and exclusive SiriusXM performance from 2003.

Listen to the special On Demand now or hear replays of it on The Village (Ch. 741) (all times ET) Thursday, February 20 at 8:30am; Friday, February 21 at 12:30pm; and Saturday, February 22 at 10:30am.

Shabalala, who passed away in his native South Africa, helped popularize traditional Zulu music globally as the gentle-voiced singer of the legendary isicathamiya and mbube choir. Formed during apartheid in 1960, Ladysmith Black Mambazo — which means “the black ax of Ladysmith” in Zulu — rose to fame in South Africa for their songs about local folklore, love, and Christianity. The group, however, gained international acclaim after collaborating with Paul Simon on his classic 1986 album, Graceland, and went on to win five GRAMMY® Awards. Their most memorable hits include their appearances on Simon’s “Homeless” and “Diamond on the Soles of Her Shoes,” as well as their songs “Nomathemba” and “Hello My Baby.”

Bhekizizwe Joseph Shabalala
Our Founder, our Teacher and most importantly, our Father left us today for eternal peace. We celebrate and honor your kind heart and your extraordinary life. Through your music and the millions who you came in contact with, you shall live forever. pic.twitter.com/2eDNFDUAGf

— Ladysmith Black Mambazo (@therealmambazo) February 11, 2020