BUSI MHLONGO
Singer, dancer and composer Busi Mhlongo's traditional upbringing in KwaZulu
Natal forms the foundation for her diverse music style whose basis is strongly
Zulu and incorporates elements of mbaqanga, maskanda, marabi, jazz, funk, Rock,
gospel, rap, opera, reggae and West African rhythms.
The message that comes across in Busi's music concerns the need to empower and
unite people from different cultural outlooks. She sings in Zulu and English
with an accompanying stage performance of international standard and appeal.
Urban Zulu, Busi's debut album, was released by Melt 2000 and produced by Will
Mowatt. Busi fuses her unique singing style on the album with the
groove-oriented maskanda and by so doing, introduces a new slant on Zulu music.
Busi worked on Urban Zulu with musicians from Kwazulu Natal and because of her
high status within Zulu culture, she was allowed to make use the King's singers.