The musician Bhekumuzi Luthuli (1961-2010) passed away Wednesday after a long illness. He was only 48.  He was probably the most popular Maskandi musician in South Africa and beyond the region; the music carried home by migrants from countries to the north of South Africa. He was still considered a sort of old school exponent of the genre, performing entirely in Zulu. Maskandi is associated with the rural parts of South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal. It is also the music of Zulu migrants to Johannesburg. Luthuli, along with another musician Ihashi Elimhlophe (Bheki Ngcobo) as well as Phuzekhemisi did a lot to gain the genre mainstream success in South Africa. Other stars of the genre that became crossover acts are Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Soul Brothers. White South African musicians like Johnny Clegg built a career on Maskandi music. Internationally Paul Simon has borrowed from maskandi for his “Graceland” in the 1980s. You can also here traces of it in the music of Vampire Weekend.

Bhekumuzi played the guitar (isigingi). This instrument is often combined with concertina and violin. Writing in 1994, in the journal “World of Music,” the academic Nollene Davies describes the central role of guitars in this music: “The guitar is the most popular instrument among maskanda musicians by far.” And these musicians view the guitar as indigenous: “The fact that a Western instrument is used is of little conse- quence to musicians as it is regarded as ‘indigenous’; in fact, it is referred to as ‘Zulu guitar’ by maskanda musicians who consciously aim to incorporate Zulu concepts into the music.”

Politically, Bhekumuzi was associated with the Zulu royal family’s loyalties which skewed towards the Inkatha Freedom Party (a conservative and reactionary Zulu nationalist party) and he has made some reactionary public pronouncements (like his support for the death penalty). The genre is also distinguished by its masculinity.  More recently, former Deputy President Jacob Zuma, in his appeal to Zulu tradition and nationalism, has incorporated Maskandi sounds into his rallies. But Bhekumuzi wasn’t known for his politics. He was known for his music.

Anyway, today’s time to celebrate his music and life. The song above, “Impatha” is one of his hits. His greatest hit is “Umlanjwana.” And here’s another, “Banamanga.” Rest in peace.