Sello Chicco Twala
Sello (Chicco) Twala was born on 01 January 1963 in Soweto, Johannesburg. His father was born and raised at Bungeni village, 15 KM east of Elim Hospital in the former Gazankulu homeland in Limpopo Province, then known as Northern Transvaal. The Twala extended family still resides at Bungeni village on a hilly top known to the Bungeni locals as 'eMabodlongweni', eMabodlongweni means place of the Fig trees in Xitsonga in reference to the abundance of fig trees in the village. He is a famous South African musician[1] and music producer.[2][3] He has created some of South Africa's hit songs.[4] In the 1970s he played in soul bands including Umoja, Sipho 'Hotstix' Mabuse's Harari, and formed his own band, Image.[5]
Early life
Twala attended Bopasanatla High School.[5]
Career
Twala's first triple platinum release in 1987 was a record that included the song 'We Miss You Manelo', a reference to Nelson Mandela who was still a prisoner on Robben Island at the time. The song Too Late for Mama, produced by Twala and sung by Brenda Fassie, also achieved platinum status.[6]
He was well known in the 1980's for his African pop and disco music.[7]
His soul ballad 'Peace Song', was recorded by a South African cast in 1992, just before the nation's first democratic election.[8][9] Some of his songs feature in Walt Disney's Lion king II. He collaborated with poet Mzwakhe Mbuli on the 1990 hit song 'Papa Stop The War'. He also wrote songs for and produced the album Memeza, for a come-back by the late Brenda Fassie.[10][11]
Some of Twala's songs feature in Walt Disney's Lion King II. Grassroots musical talent is developed through his studios in Soweto. He has been awarded the Lifetime Achievement South African Music Award.[12][13] and a Metro FM Music Award.[14]
Sources
- ^ "Gospel singer Nkosana Kodi dies". Sowetan Live.
- ^ "South Africa's Fassie In Critical Condition". Billboard Biz By Diane Coetzer | April 28, 2004
- ^ Mzilikazi wa Afrika (20 August 2014). Nothing Left to Steal. Penguin Books Limited. pp. 226–. ISBN 978-0-14-353140-1.
- ^ Lauren Beukes (2004). Maverick: Extraordinary Women from South Africa's Past. Oshun. pp. 1–. ISBN 978-1-77007-050-9.
- ^ a b Max Mojapelo (2008). Beyond Memory: Recording the History, Moments and Memories of South African Music. African Minds. pp. 12–. ISBN 978-1-920299-28-6.
- ^ Sandra Hayes (20 December 2004). Who's Who of Southern Africa 2004. Taylor & Francis.
- ^ David Bellin Coplan (1 January 1992). In township tonight!: musique et théâtre dans les villes noires d'Afrique du Sud. KARTHALA Editions. pp. 392–. ISBN 978-2-86537-341-3.
- ^ Accent. ABC Press. 1993.
- ^ South African Pressclips. Barry Streek. January 1992.
- ^ Simon Broughton; Mark Ellingham; Richard Trillo (1999). World Music: Africa, Europe and the Middle East. Rough Guides. pp. 655–. ISBN 978-1-85828-635-8.
- ^ Binyavanga Wainaina (1 November 2005). Kwani? 01. Kwani Archive Online. pp. 89–. ISBN 978-9966-9836-0-2.
- ^ "Sello Chicco Twala Receives Lifetime Music Achievement Award (Draft Resolution)". Peoples Assembly
- ^ "Pop star shows no mercy at Wawela Awards". ENCA/
- ^ "12rh Metro FM Music Awards" Channel 24