NEWS
SA Grammy Award Winner Lebo M, An Inspiration
By Thandisizwe Mgudlwa
America continues to gloat over it’s high achiever many decades later. And this works big time in promoting and developing the country as global brand. South Africa must do the same. Here is another example of great success story from South Africa.
Lebohang “Lebo M.” Morake became involved in music at the tender age of nine as a singer of American R&B and rock standards in his neighborhood’s pop band.
Archives reveal that he was only 12 when his first single was released. ‘Celebration’ was issued by EMI South Africa, although he only received remuneration of $20 despite its local success.
Angered and frustrated by the corruption endemic in the apartheid South African music business, he transported himself to neighboring Lesotho, becoming house singer at the Victoria Hotel there. Among the many guests he entertained during his stay was US ambassador Tim Thashane, who invited him to relocate to America and undertake a scholarship at the Duke Ellington School of Music in Washington.
He later attended Los Angeles Community College and performed at talent nights at the Memory Lane nightclub, run by actress Maria Gibbs.
Lebo M. was subsequently introduced to composer Hans Zimmer, then working on The Power Of One. Lebo eventually co-wrote, arranged and produced the soundtrack album accompanying the movie.
This led to further commissions, as Lebo added authentic African percussion and township rhythms to movies including Congo, Outbreak, Made In America and Born To Be Wild.
Eventually Zimmer asked him to contribute to The Lion King, the globally successful Walt Disney animation feature. The Zimmer/Lebo composition ‘The Circle Of Life’ subsequently won them a 1995 Grammy for best instrumental arrangement with accompanying vocal.
Lebo then scored the Broadway stage version of The Lion King, which he has described as his most challenging experience so far. Forced to compose new pieces and chants for the production, he amalgamated the resulting compositions into his debut album for Walt Disney Records, released in 1996.
It was quickly followed by a second album for South African label Gallo International. Deeper Meaning revealed a more eclectic side to the artist, incorporating hip-hop, R&B, lush orchestration and traditional African flourishes.
He then worked alongside Quincy Jones on the charity tribute album released to coincide with Nelson Mandela’s 80th birthday.
Lebo M was born on 20 May 1964 in the Apartheid-ridden Soweto in Johannesburg, South Africa and was inspired by Nelson Mandela, he spent years working hard in the slums and then in Los Angeles in a variety of jobs, including begging and serving at McDonald’s. He is also reported to have been exiled from South Africa in 1979, but returned 20 years later.
He lives with his family in Johannesburg and Los Angeles. He founded the Lebo M Foundation and Till Dawn Entertainment. Lebo M has composed, arranged, performed and produced music for the following films: The Lion King (soundtrack), The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride, The Lion King 1½, The Lion King (musical) – singer at One by One, Black Hawk Down, The Power of One, Dinosaur, Disney’s Animal Kingdom: The First Adventure, Tears of the Sun, Back on the Block, The Color Purple, Listen Up: The Life of Quincy Jones, Outbreak, Made In America, Congo, Born to Be Wild (1995 film) and Long Night’s Journey Into Day. His discography includes How Wonderful We Are (1995), Rhythm Of The Pride Lands (1995), and Return to Pride Rock: Songs Inspired by Disney’s The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride (1998)
SOURCE: The African Journalist
Copyright 2015 African Journalist
