Mama Africa
Miriam Makeba- Pata Pata
- The Retreat Song (Jikele Maweni)
- Suliram
- The Click Song
- Umhome
- Olilili
- Lakutshn Ilanga
- Mbube
- The Naughty Little Flea
- Where Does It Lead?
- Novema
- House Of The Rising Sun
- Saduva
- One More Dance
- Iya Gaduza
- Kilimanjaro (Hunting Song And Boot Dance)
- Zenizenabo (A Courage Song For Warriors)
- Ntjilo Ntjilo (Lullaby To A Child About A Little bird)
- Umqokozo (Children's Game Song About A New Red Dress)
- Ngola Kurila (A Woman Pacifies Her Hungry Child. There Is Nothing To Eat)
- Thanayi (Story Song About A Girl Named Thanayi)
- Liwa Wechi (Congolese Lament. The Wife Bids Her Husband Farewell As He Leaves For The Mines)
- Nagula (Witch Doctor Song)
- Carnival (Theme From The Brazilian Movie "Black Orpheus")
- Night Must Fall (American)
- Love Tastes Like Strawberries (West Indian Ballad)
- Can't Cross Over (West Indian Calypso)
Miriam Makeba was born in Johannesburg in 1932. She began singing at 20, with the Cuban Brothers, and then the Manhattan Brothers. Her singer status soon allowed her to express her political opinion, including denouncing apartheid, which had being striking South Africa since 1948. Her biggest success, Pata Pata, was released in 1965 and was covered by French singer Sylvie Vartan in 1980.
In 1959, she was forced to exile because of her political commitment. This exile would last more than 30 years. So she has lived in the USA, in Europe, and in Guinea.
She won in 1966 a Grammy Award for her album with Harry Bellafonte – her mentor – and became the first South African artist to win this award.
She received in 1986 the French Commandeur des Arts et Lettres title and became citoyenne d’honneur française in 1990.
She collaborated with Paul Simon in 1987 for the album and tour Graceland.
She died in Italy in 2008, at the age of 76, due to a cardiac malaise, during a show. Her nickname, “Mama Africa”, gave its name to this beautiful album with gathers her greatest successes.