Boom Shaka

Boom Shaka was a pioneering kwaito music group from South Africa, consisting of Junior Sokhela, Lebo Mathosa, Theo Nhlengethwa and Thembi Seete. Their first album was produced in 1994. Boom Shaka's first single "It's About Time" was released in 1993. This track (and others by Boom Shaka) can be found on Stern's Music website (http://www.sternsmusic.com/discography_detailed/665). Boom Shaka became one of the most successful bands of the mid-1990s in South Africa and their music became the soundtrack for many young people in the newly democratic South Africa. Boom Shaka was able to break into the international market and achieved success outside of South Africa in London among other places.

Boom Shaka, being one of the leading kwaito groups in South Africa, has an extreme effect on youth audiences throughout the country. To begin, Boom Shaka was purposefully put together in order to appeal to a youth audience by presenting a new sound and a new style. Today, they are continually sweeping the charts and propelling in the youth audiences due to their distinctive sound, visual style, and dance moves. Boom Shaka is known for creating popular and distinctive kwaito dance moves such as “Chop di Grass”. "Chop di grass" pays homage to the men who mow the grass during the construction of highways. This dancing is said to come from traditional African dance moves, continuing to make kwaito a unique and localized South African music genre. For example, they say that their dancing comes from an urban dance of Zaire called the Kwasa Kwasa. These sexy kwaito dance moves add to their popularity. This uniqueness is propelling Boom Shaka’s music in the youth radio charts and on a global level as well.1

The major presence of female vocalists in the group, specifically, the artists Lebo Mathosa and Thembi Seete have been seen as both modes of female objectification and simultaneously voices for the feminist movement. The style of dancing and dress has stirred controversy among South African listeners as it invokes a type of female sexuality that many find degrading. The artists, however, would prefer to see their music as a liberating force. This sentiment is especially reflected in their track It's About Time produced on their debut album, Boom Shaka.

I'm tired
Of people always asking me
What's happening, what's going on
They try to see what's in my head
Why can't they leave me alone
(Chorus)
It's about time
You Listened to Boom Shaka
It's about time
You listened to Boom
...
My weapon is my voice...

Despite the group's lyrics, many listeners and observers find the discrepancy between their outside image and the message behind the words too great to reconcile. A particularly historical example of this discrepancy came when the group performed the national anthem, Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika at the 1998 FNB South African Music Awards. remained divided, as the charged lyrics paired with skimpy outfits continued to fuel the debate between liberation and degradation.