''The
International Committee of AFRIMA (All Africa Music Awards) celebrates
the life of an African music icon and activist, Hugh Masekela as he
passed on peacefully at his country home, Johannesburg, South Africa
after a protracted battle with prostate cancer on January 23, 2018 at
the aged 78.
Masekela
was nominated for three nominations at the 2017 AFRIMA Awards in the
categories of 'Best Male Artiste in Southern Africa' for his recent
single 'Shango', 'Album of the Year' for his recent album 'No Borders'
and for the 'Best Artiste in African Jazz'. These three nominations show
that the legend waxed strong till his last breadth. Masekela was
scheduled to be at the host city, Lagos, Nigeria, for the 2017 AFRIMA
Awards in November but was unable to make it due to his ill health in
spite all his efforts.
The
President and Executive Producer, AFRIMA, Mike Dada, stated that “it is
a huge loss for the continent and African music. Masekela's music had
the depth, the lyricism and the instrumentation that place the legend in
the class of world music classics with a definitive signature of its
African sound. The music icon will be greatly missed but his music and
struggle for free and prosperous Africa will always be in our hearts and
minds.
Masekela gained
global recognition with his distinctive Afro-Jazz sound and hit song-Soweto
Blues. He creates music from his Africa's experiences andis known for excellent
use of trumpet, flugelhorn, trombone and cornet instruments.
Born in April 4,
1939 and ventured into music as a child when the anti-apartheid chaplain,
Archbishop Trevor Huddleston gave him a trumpet as a gift. He found escape from
the racial chaos in South Africa in his days with music. He later joined the
Johannesburg Native Municipal Bras Band, Uncle Suada.In later years, Masekela
studied the art of music in London's Guildhall School of Music and the
Manhattan School of Music, New York.
The legend had
released 49 Albums from the 1966 to 2016 and featured legends like Paul Simon,
Lady Smith Mambazo, Mariam Makeba and others. He was nominated for the Grammy
Awards for Best Contemporary Pop Performance – Instrumental in 1968 for his
single 'Grazing in the Grass', an anti-apartheid piece which sold 4 million
copies among other nominations.
AFRIMA
will pay tribute to Hugh Masekela in a glorifying spectacle at its fifth
edition scheduled to hold in November 2018.''
Hugh Masekela
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