Stokely Carmichael, Hugh Masekela, Sonny Pilay, Pata Pata, Malaika, The Click Song
Fact
American-born (with one Jamaican parent) folk singer/activist. Harry Belafonte first saw her in the independent film Come Back, Africa (1959) and arranged for both her U.S. concert debut and a recording contract with RCA Victor. An album they recorded together, "An Evening with Belefonte/Makeba" (RCA Victor: 1965), went on to win a Grammy for Best Traditional Folk Recording. Other U.S. albums, on RCA and Reprise, include "Miriam Makeba," "The Voice of Africa," "In Concert at Philharmonic Hall," and "Pata Pata." She was married to musician Hugh Masekela and activist Stokely Carmichael (later Kwame Ture).
Miriam Makeba was born on March 4, 1932, in Johannesburg, South Africa. Her mother, Christina Makeba, was a Swazi Sangoma (traditional healer), and her father, Timoth Makeba, was a Xhosa farmer. She had five siblings.
Makeba began singing as a child, and by the age of 18, she had joined the Manhattan Brothers, a popular South African vocal group. She toured Europe and Africa with the group before moving to New York City in 1959.
In 1960, Makeba married musician Hugh Masekela. The couple had a daughter, Bongi, but divorced after four years.
Makeba’s career took off in the United States after she appeared in the film “Come Back, Africa” (1959). She went on to release several successful albums, including “The World of Miriam Makeba” (1960) and “Miriam Makeba” (1961). She also starred in the films “Buck and the Preacher” (1972) and “Sarafina!” (1992).
Makeba was an outspoken critic of the South African government’s policies of apartheid. In 1963, she was denied re-entry into South Africa after performing at a concert in support of the country’s anti-apartheid movement. She remained in exile for the next 30 years.
In 1964, Makeba married Black Panther leader Stokely Carmichael. The couple moved to Guinea, where Carmichael was given a position in the government. They divorced in 1978.
Makeba returned to South Africa in 1990, after the country’s apartheid laws were repealed. She continued to perform and record until her death in 2008.
Makeba was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1987 and the National Medal of Arts in 1999. She was also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album for her album “An Evening with Belafonte/Makeba” (1965).
Makeba had an estimated net worth of $1 million at the time of her death.
General Info
Full Name
Miriam Makeba
Died
November 9, 2008, Castel Volturno, Italy
Profession
Actor, Singer-songwriter, Film Score Composer, Pata Pata, Malaika, The Click Song
Nationality
South African
Family
Spouse
Stokely Carmichael, Hugh Masekela, Sonny Pilay, Pata Pata, Malaika, The Click Song
Children
Bongi Makeba
Parents
Caswell Makeba, Christina Makeba, Pata Pata, Malaika, The Click Song
Accomplishments
Awards
Grammy Award for Best Ethnic or Traditional Folk Recording, Otto Hahn Peace Medal in Gold, Polar Music Prize for Popular Music, Pata Pata, Malaika, The Click Song
Nominations
Grammy Award for Best New Artist, Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, Pata Pata, Malaika, The Click Song
Movies
Paul Simon and Friends, Sarafina!, Have You Seen Drum Recently?, Amok
She was a UN representative for Guinea, for which she was presented with the Dag Hammarskjöld Peace Prize in 1986.
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A Johannesburg club singer who became an important voice for the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa, she paid a high price for her activism. While she was out of the country, the government revoked her passport, so she could not attend her mother's funeral.
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First African woman to win a Grammy.
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American-born (with one Jamaican parent) folk singer/activist. Harry Belafonte first saw her in the independent film Come Back, Africa (1959) and arranged for both her U.S. concert debut and a recording contract with RCA Victor. An album they recorded together, "An Evening with Belefonte/Makeba" (RCA Victor: 1965), went on to win a Grammy for Best Traditional Folk Recording. Other U.S. albums, on RCA and Reprise, include "Miriam Makeba," "The Voice of Africa," "In Concert at Philharmonic Hall," and "Pata Pata." She was married to musician Hugh Masekela and activist Stokely Carmichael (later Kwame Ture).
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Her real name, as she clarifies in the 29 February 1960 issue of Time magazine is: Zensile Makeba Qgwashu Nguvama Yiketheli Nxgowa Bantana Balomzi Xa Ufnu Ubajabulisa Ubaphekeli Mbiza Yotshwala Sithi Xa Saku Qgiba Ukutja Sithathe Izitsha Sizi Khabe Singama Lawu Singama Qgwashu Singama Nqamla Nqgithi. "The reason for its length, " Ms. Makeba writes, "is that every child takes the first name of all his male ancestors. Often following the first name is a descriptive word or two, telling about the character of ther person, making a true African name somewhat like a story." (Letter reprinted in the 9 March 1998 issue of Time.)
Pictures
Movies
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
Half of a Yellow Sun
2013
performer: "Naughty Little Flea"
Aya of Yop City
2013
performer: "L'enfant et la gazelle"
Independent Lens
2012
TV Series documentary performer - 1 episode
Mama Africa
2011
Documentary performer: "Soweto Blues", "Qogothwane The Click Song", "Pata Pata"
Sing Your Song
2011
Documentary performer: "Into Yam", "Love Tastes Like Strawberries", "Malayisha", "Nongoongod To Those We Love" / writer: "Into Yam", "Malayisha", "Nongoongod To Those We Love"
Soul Power
2008
Documentary performer: "The Click Song"
The Deal
2008/I
performer: "Pata Pata" / writer: "Pata Pata"
Joe Strummer: The Future Is Unwritten
2007
Documentary performer: "Pata Pata"
Bobby
2006
performer: "Pata Pata" / writer: "Pata Pata"
Transamerica
2005
performer: "Jol'inkomo"
Veronica Mars
2004
TV Series 1 episode
Otto - Der Katastrofenfilm
2000
lyrics: "Dummasack" / music: "Dummasack"
Tohuwabohu
1997-1998
TV Series performer - 2 episodes
When We Were Kings
1996
Documentary performer: "Am Am Pondo" / writer: "Am Am Pondo"
Sarafina!
1992
performer: "Thank You Mama"
A Warm December
1973
lyrics: "NONQONQO" / music: "NONQONQO"
Actress
Title
Year
Status
Character
Sarafina!
1992
Angelina
Have You Seen Drum Recently?
1989
Amok
1983
Joséphine Sempala
Composer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Mama Africa
2011
Documentary
Help
2009/I
Short
Amok
1983
Music Department
Title
Year
Status
Character
Help
2009/I
Short musician: vocals
Thanks
Title
Year
Status
Character
Mama Africa
2011
Documentary in memory of
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Amandla! A Revolution in Four Part Harmony
2002
Documentary
Herself
Sacred Sounds
2000
Documentary
Herself
When We Were Kings
1996
Documentary
Herself
African Footsteps
1995
TV Series documentary
Herself - Interviewee
Children of Africa
1993
TV Special
Herself
American Masters
1993
TV Series documentary
Herself
The Cosby Show
1991
TV Series
Herself
Voices of Sarafina!
1988
Documentary
Herself
Freedomfest: Nelson Mandela's 70th Birthday Celebratation