{"id":5268,"date":"2025-06-04T16:11:37","date_gmt":"2025-06-04T07:11:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wmdf.org\/?post_type=artist&#038;p=5268"},"modified":"2025-08-11T11:00:22","modified_gmt":"2025-08-11T02:00:22","slug":"018-the-mahotella-queens-south-africa","status":"publish","type":"artist","link":"https:\/\/wmdf.org\/en\/artist\/018-the-mahotella-queens-south-africa","title":{"rendered":"The Mahotella Queens, South Africa"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\/\/wmdf.org\/wpms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Artist-018_0000s_0003_ZAF-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5594\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wmdf.org\/wpms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Artist-018_0000s_0003_ZAF-2.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/wmdf.org\/wpms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Artist-018_0000s_0003_ZAF-2-1440x810.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/wmdf.org\/wpms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Artist-018_0000s_0003_ZAF-2-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wmdf.org\/wpms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Artist-018_0000s_0003_ZAF-2-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/wmdf.org\/wpms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Artist-018_0000s_0003_ZAF-2-624x351.jpg 624w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">After 60 years, still the Indestructible Beat of Soweto!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Mahotella Queens - Umuntu (2023)\" width=\"625\" height=\"352\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/5pAvE2KL3Jw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the most iconic names in South African music, the <strong>Mahotella Queens<\/strong> have been bringing the joyful power of <em>mbaqanga<\/em>\u2014a style born from township harmonies and vibrant rhythms\u2014to global audiences since 1964. Known for their soaring vocal blend, expressive dance, and infectious spirit, the Queens became national stars in the 1960s and \u201970s, defining the sound of an era.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the 1980s, rising global interest in South African music helped open the world stage to mbaqanga. The Mahotella Queens seized the moment, becoming international ambassadors for the genre and performing at major festivals including <strong>Glastonbury<\/strong>, <strong>WOMAD<\/strong>, <strong>Montreux<\/strong>, and <strong>New Orleans Jazz Fest<\/strong>. Under the leadership of original member Hilda Tloubatla, the group continues to evolve\u2014now joined by a dynamic new generation keeping tradition alive with electrifying energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Returning to Japan after nearly 20 years\u2014and celebrating their 60th anniversary\u2014they invite audiences to move, sing, and share in the timeless heartbeat of South Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/airtable.com\/embed\/appl2St1lq996szjO\/shrzMDkccB5ZUQW7r?search=Mahotella\" width=\"100%\" height=\"833\"><\/iframe><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"template":"","class_list":["post-5268","artist","type-artist","status-publish","hentry","artistscat-artists018"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wmdf.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/artist\/5268","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wmdf.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/artist"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wmdf.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/artist"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wmdf.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5268"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}