Madala Kunene Tickets

Born in the time of the Apartheid, Madala Kunene found his voice through music. In 1958, he was the seven year old boy who fashioned a guitar out of an empty tin of cooking oil and fish guts. Playing on the streets of his hometown, he entertained the locals, busking on the roadsides. Little did anyone know that the young performer would grow up to become one of the most respected guitarists of South Africa. He has the ability to charm his audiences with the serene songs and well composed lyrics.

Madala Kunene was born in 1951 in a prominent family in the town of Cato Manor. However, with the Apartheid government in power; the family had to move to Durban. With a unique passion of following his own will, Madala Kunene has, since childhood, pursued his dreams and ambitions. It didn't matter to him, despite numerous reprimands, whether he attended school or not. Even as a child, he knew where his heart was, and he has always followed what it wanted. In his teenage years, he played soccer for the African Wanderes FC. While initially, Kunene practiced his skills by covering famous songs by artists like The Beatles, he soon realized that he needed to make his own music.

His first musical venture was the formation of a marabi band with schoolmates. Naming themselves Amanikabheni, they entertained locals with music played on instruments made of used tins, fish guts, tea chests, rubber tyres and sticks. It was clear that there was no stopping this singularly driven and talented musician who could create art out of the most mundane of objects. His passion for music resulted in his first solo album, King of The Zulu Guitar - Vol. 1, which was released in 1994. Using lyrics, chants, various sounds from nature, coupled with his guitar rhythms, Madala created a fusion of African trance with a touch of Western soul music. Since then, he has released a collection of critically venerated albums, including Kon'ko Man and Music With No Name.

Over the years, Madala Kunene has developed a sound that sets him apart from all other artists. Channeling his heritage and culture, and fusing it with genres that are much admired across the globe (jazz and soul), Kunene breathed a new life into the African and jazz combination. With an eclectic mix of South African folk with contemporary blues, Kunene championed his genre and carved a niche for himself in an industry where many struggle for years to be recognized. His individualism might have cost Kunene a vast fortune in terms of multi-million dollar deals and a vast fortune, however, his non-conformity has allowed him to stay grounded, and that has won him a massive amount of love from an international fan base.

All set for his performance at Carnegie Hall this year, Madala Kunene promises music that will transport audiences into a higher state of consciousness. His music has a definitive hypnotic quality, and with vocals that enchant listeners, there is no doubt that Kunene is the frontrunner in giving African folk music a place in the music industry. Staying true to his roots, he uses his heritage and his love for music as a way of preserving his identity and giving African music a wide, international appeal.

Kunene learnt his art on the streets, and stayed true to his humble beginnings. While he might be losing out financially, he has proven that fortune is not synonymous with fame and definitely not a standard of talent. Music enthusiasts who are looking for an experience a class apart at his concert can now purchase Madala Kunene tickets now.