Amampondo
Wikimp3 information about the music of Amampondo. On our website we have 12 albums and 14 collections of artist Amampondo. You can find useful information and download songs of this artist. We also know that Amampondo represents World Music genres.
Biography
[Edit]Amampondo is one of South Africa's leading ensembles. With their traditional garb and handmade instruments, the 11-piece group has transformed the traditional musical style of Xhosa into an international phenomena. One of Nelson Mandela's favorite bands, Amampondo has toured throughout the world and represented South Africa during the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games in Atlanta, GA in 1996.
Assembled in 1979 by lead vocalist, percussionist and dancer Dizu Zingulu Plaatjies (b. February 5, 1957), Amampondo's name, which translates as "People of Mpondo," refers to the Xhosa Kingdom on Africa's Eastern Cape where most of the band's members grew up singing together in church choirs. After crafting their sound while busking in the streets of Cape Town, the band performed its first gigs at the Scratch Club in 1981. Two years later, Amampondo traveled to Johannesburg to perform at the Market Theater. Scheduled to perform for two weeks, the band stayed for six years. By 1985, the group had performed as far away as Israel and Taiwan.
Although they performed an internationally broadcast set at Nelson Mandela's 70th birthday celebration at Wembley in 1988, Amampondo was forbidden to perform any further concerts by the ANC's cultural desk upon their return to South Africa. The boycott lasted four years. During that time, the band focused on educational programs that taught traditional South African culture in schools.
After recording an album with Archbishop Desmond Tutu titled Give Praise Where Praise Is Deserved, Tutu assisted the band in getting the boycott lifted. The clearance, however, was only temporary. After touring Germany and France, Amampondo received word that the ANC had renewed the boycott. Amampondo's problems began to slowly ease with the support of Mandela, who had seen a video of one of their performances while in prison. Following his release, Mandela began to recommend the group whenever possible and Amampondo began to secure gigs throughout the world.
In 1994, Amampondo was heard by Robert Trunz, owner of what was known at the time as B&W Music. Although contractual obligations prevented him from signing the band immediately, Trunz signed Amampondo to a recording contract as soon as possible to his new label, M.E.L.T. 2000. Amampando's first album for the label, Drums for Tomorrow, was produced by Cameroonian drummer Bruce Wassy and released in 1997.
In addition to working together in Amampondo, Plaatjies and marimba player, percussionist and vocalist Mzwandile Qotoyi have collaborated on a number of outside projects, including playing on the Bootleg.net album Ethno Trance Live. Plaatjies' niece, Lulu Lungiswa Plaatjies (b. 1973), who has sung lead and background vocals, played percussion and danced with Amampondo since age nine, has recently recorded a forthcoming solo album.
Title: HEARTBEAT OF AFRICA Uyandibiza
Artist: Amampondo, Plaatjies, Ludonga, Qotoyi, Matole, Mbizela, Mlamb
Genre: World Music
Title: Langa Nights: The Best of Amampondo (feat. Dizu Plaatjies)
Artist: Amampondo
Genre: World Music
Title: I Exist Because of You
Artist: Henrik Schwarz, Amampondo
Genre: Electronica, Dancefloor, Dance Pop
Collections
Title: Defected Presents House Masters - Henrik Schwarz
Genre: Dancefloor, Dance Pop
Title: Houseworks Megahits, Vol. 4
Genre: Dancefloor, Dance Pop
Title: Music with No Name, Vol. 1
Genre: World Music
Title: Electric Pondoland
Genre: World Music
Title: Luftkastellet 6
Genre: Dancefloor, Dance Pop
Title: The Afro Club Night Vol. 2
Genre: Dancefloor, World Music, Dance Pop
Title: Afro Club Night, Vol. 2
Genre: Electronica, Dancefloor, Dance Pop
Title: Authentic Africa: Roots & Ancestors, Vol. 1
Genre: World Music
Title: Music with No Name, Vol. 2
Genre: World Music
Title: New Age Music And New Sounds Vol 15 - Noel Sampler
Genre: New Age
Title: DJ - Kicks: Henrik Schwarz
Title: Boozoo Bajou - Coming Home
Genre: Electronica
Title: Southport Weekender, Volume 7
Genre: Electronica, Reggae, Dub
Featuring albums
Title: Select 2010 - Music for Our Friends
Artist: Claude Challe & Jean - Marc Challe
Genre: Electronica, Dancefloor, World Music, Dance Pop
Title: Coming Home By Boozoo Bajou
Artist: Boozoo Bajou
Genre: Downtempo, Electronica, House, Techno, Dancefloor, Dance Pop
Title: Feel the Pulse of Africa
Artist: Dizu Plaatjies, Mzwandile Qotoyi, Simpiwe Matole, Michael Lu
Genre: World Music
Title: Defected Presents House Masters - Henrik Schwarz
Artist: Various Artists
Genre: Electronica, Dancefloor
Title: Music with No Name, Vol. 3: Vibrations from the Motherland
Artist: Various Artists
Genre: World Music