Juluka
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1969 |
| Founder | Johnny Clegg, Sipho Mchunu |
| Defunct | 1985 |
| Fate | Disbanded; reunited briefly in 1997 |
| Headquarters | South Africa |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
Juluka was a South African musical group founded by Johnny Clegg and Sipho Mchunu. The name translates to "sweat" in the Zulu tongue and was inspired by a bull owned by Mchunu. The ensemble was deeply connected to the broader anti-apartheid movement within South Africa.
History
At the age of 14, Clegg acquired knowledge of Zulu music and dance through street performer Charlie Mzila. In 1969, Clegg encountered Sipho Mchunu in Johannesburg, with their friendship sparked following a guitar competition. They collaborated in select venues where it was permissible for a racially mixed band to perform under the constraints of apartheid. Their rise depended heavily on grassroots support, as they contended with police intimidation and censorship targeting their lyrical content. Juluka stood out for defying apartheid’s racial segregation by wearing traditional Zulu attire and delivering songs in both Zulu and English.
Their first single, "Uthi Angizule," was released in 1976, followed by their critically praised debut album Universal Men in 1979. The album’s lyrics were influenced by thinkers such as John Berger, Pablo Neruda, and Jean-Paul Sartre. After expanding into a five-member group, Juluka issued African Litany in 1981. Its principal track, "Impi," featuring politically potent lyrics about the Zulu triumph at the Battle of Isandlwana, faced a ban on South African radio but gained underground popularity and is still linked to national sports teams today. This album attracted international recognition, allowing tours across Europe and North America during 1982–83. Although initially prohibited by the UK Musicians' Union due to South Africa's apartheid policies, the restriction was eventually lifted; the band donated their earnings from these tours to charitable causes.
Within South Africa, Juluka encountered bans from Radio Bantu, which regarded Clegg’s participation as disrespectful to Zulu traditions.
The group dissolved in 1985 when Mchunu returned to Natal for family obligations. Subsequently, Clegg formed Savuka, which achieved even greater global acclaim. Juluka reunited in 1997 to produce a final album titled Ya Vuka Inkunz'i (later released as Crocodile Love), though it did not attain the same level of critical success as earlier albums like Universal Men, African Litany, Work for All, and Scatterlings.
Music
Juluka’s sound is a fusion of South African genres such as maskanda and mbaqanga with Western folk and rock influences. Their musical arrangements incorporated not only guitar and traditional Zulu instruments but also saxophones and synthesizers. Later productions included elements of Ngoma dance.
The band sought to dismantle preconceived notions equating 'traditional' with 'primitive' and 'Western' with 'civilised' by blending Western and Zulu cultural components within their harmonies, rhythms, and song structures.
Lyrics
Often employing metaphorical language, Juluka’s lyrics conveyed unmistakable political themes. For instance, "Universal Man" uses the allegory of a bullfight to represent the struggle and eventual victory of the oppressed.
Reflecting their blend of African and European cultural influences, Clegg’s songwriting delved into his identity as a white African, striving to merge European cultural elements into an African musical framework.
Albums
- Studio Releases
- 1979: Universal Men
- 1981: African Litany
- 1982: Ubuhle Bemvelo
- 1982: Scatterlings
- 1983: Work For All
- 1984: Musa Ukungilandela
- 1997: Crocodile Love (issued in South Africa as Ya Vuka Inkunzi)
- Live Recordings
- 1986: The Good Hope Concerts
- Compilation Albums
- 1984: Stand Your Ground
- 1984: The International Tracks
- 1988: Le Rock Zoulou de Johnny Clegg & Sipho (featuring selections from Ubuhle Bemvelo and Musa Ukungilandela)
- 1991: The Best Of Juluka
- 1996: A Johnny Clegg And Juluka Collection
- 2006: Heart of the Dancer
Singles and EPs
- 1977: "Woza Friday" (first single)
- 1981: "Impi"
- 1982: "Scatterlings of Africa" – reached AUS #93
- 1982: "Umbaqanga Music"
- 1982: "African Ideas"
- 1984: "Fever"
- 1984: "Ibhola Lethu"
- 1997: "Love Is Just a Dream (Tatazela)" (credited to Juluka / Johnny Clegg & Sipho Mchunu)
Members
- Johnny Clegg – lead vocals, guitar (active 1969–1985, reunited in 1997; passed away in 2019)
- Sipho Mchunu – guitar, percussion, vocals (1969–1985, reunion in 1997)
- Johnny Boshoff – bass guitar, percussion, vocals (1981–1982)
- Derek de Beer – drums, percussion, vocals (1981–1982, returned 1984–1985)
- Robbie Jansen – flute, saxophone, vocals (1981–1982; deceased 2010)
- Zola Mtiya – drums, percussion, vocals (1982–1984)
- Gary Van Zyl – bass guitar, percussion, vocals (1982–1985)
- Tim Hoare – keyboards, vocals (1982–1984)
- Scorpion Madondo – flute, saxophone, vocals (1982–1985; died in 2010)
- Glenda Millar – keyboards, vocals (1983–1984)
- Cyril Mnculwane – keyboards, vocals (1984–1985; passed away in 2019)