Artist page

Vusi Mahlasela, born in 1965 in Lady Selbourne, Pretoria, grew up in Mamelodi, a township known for its rich cultural heritage that has produced many of South Africa's notable musicians and writers. From a young age, Vusi was immersed in music, recalling, "I’m sure I learned to sing before I could talk." He began teaching himself to play a home-made guitar crafted from tin cans and fishing line, and later took formal guitar lessons in high school, where he formed his own vocal group. His remarkable vocal range allowed him to sing soprano parts in school productions well into his teens. Vusi's music often explores social and political themes, leading to his popularity at political rallies and cultural events. This involvement connected him with poetry groups and led to his membership in the Ancestors of Africa, a collective of poets, musicians, and actors formed in 1981, which faced harassment from the police. In 1988, joining the Congress of South African Writers bolstered his confidence as a poet and writer, allowing him to collaborate with other influential artists and poets. During this time, he developed a creative friendship with a South African poet and became captivated by jazz and traditional music, acknowledging the significant impact of various artists on his music and lyrics.

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