Juluka facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Juluka
|
|
|---|---|
| Origin | Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Genres | World music, afro pop, rock, zulu, maskanda, mbaqanga |
| Years active | 1969–1985, 1997 |
| Labels | Warner Bros. Rhythm Safari |
| Associated acts | Savuka |
| Past members | Johnny Clegg Sipho Mchunu Johnny Boshoff Derek de Beer Robbie Jansen Zola Mtiya Gary Van Zyl Tim Hoare Scorpion Madondo Glenda Millar Cyril Mnculwane |
Juluka was a famous South African music band. It was started in 1969 by two talented musicians, Johnny Clegg and Sipho Mchunu. The name Juluka means 'sweat' in the Zulu. It was also the name of a bull that Sipho Mchunu owned. This band was very important because it spoke out against apartheid. Apartheid was a system of unfair rules in South Africa that separated people based on their race.
Contents
What Kind of Music Did Juluka Play?
Juluka's music was a cool mix of different styles. They blended traditional South African music like maskanda and mbaqanga with Western folk and rock music. Maskanda is a type of Zulu folk music, often played with a guitar. Mbaqanga is a lively South African jazz style. The band used many instruments. Besides guitars and traditional Zulu instruments, they also played the saxophone. Later, they even added synthesizers to their sound. Juluka showed that music from different cultures could come together beautifully. They proved that traditional and modern sounds could mix perfectly.
What Were Juluka's Songs About?
Many of Juluka's songs had important messages. While they often used metaphors, their lyrics were clearly about politics. For example, in their song "Universal Man," Mchunu and Clegg describe a bull fight. A small bull beats a big bull not by force, but by skill. This story symbolized how an underdog could win against an oppressor. It was a message of hope during the time of apartheid.
Johnny Clegg's lyrics also added to Juluka's impact. He explored what it meant for him, as a white person, to be African. He once explained that finding a place for European culture within African music was a big part of his work.
Juluka's Music Releases
Albums
Studio Albums
- 1979: Universal Men
- 1981: African Litany
- 1982: Ubuhle Bemvelo
- 1982: Scatterlings
- 1983: Work For All
- 1984: Stand Your Ground
- 1984: Musa Ukungilandela
- 1997: Crocodile Love (also known as Ya Vuka Inkunzi in South Africa)
Live Albums
- 1986: The Good Hope Concerts
Compilation Albums
- 1984: The International Tracks
- 1988: Le Rock Zoulou de Johnny Clegg & Sipho
- 2006: Heart of the Dancer
Singles and EPs
- 1976: "Woza Friday" (their very first single)
- 1981: "Impi"
- 1982: "Scatterlings of Africa"
- 1982: "Umbaqanga Music"
- 1982: "African Ideas"
- 1984: "Fever"
- 1984: "Ibhola Lethu"
- 1997: "Love Is Just a Dream (Tatazela) (Juluka / Johnny Clegg & Sipho Mchunu)
Who Were the Members of Juluka?
- Johnny Clegg – He sang and played guitar. (He was with the band from 1969–1985 and again in 1997. He passed away in 2019.)
- Sipho Mchunu – He played guitar, percussion, and sang. (He was with the band from 1969–1985 and again in 1997.)
- Johnny Boshoff – He played bass guitar, percussion, and sang. (1981–1982)
- Derek de Beer – He played drums, percussion, and sang. (1981–1982, 1984–1985)
- Robbie Jansen – He played flute, saxophone, and sang. (1981–1982. He passed away in 2010.)
- Zola Mtiya – He played drums, percussion, and sang. (1982–1984)
- Gary Van Zyl – He played bass guitar, percussion, and sang. (1982–1985)
- Tim Hoare – He played keyboards and sang. (1982–1984)
- Scorpion Madondo – He played flute, saxophone, and sang. (1982–1985. He passed away in 2010.)
- Glenda Millar – She played keyboards and sang. (1984)
- Cyril Mnculwane – He played keyboards and sang. (1984–1985. He passed away in 2019.)
