Ladysmith Black Mambazo is the next group set to perform in the Arkansas State University Fowler Center Series on Sunday, April 21, at 7:30 p.m., in Riceland Hall at Fowler Center, located at 201 Olympic Drive.

Nearly 15 years ago musician Paul Simon invited this talented group to join him on his famous "Graceland" album. Since then, they have become South Africa’s most famous vocal export.

Their first U.S. album, "Shaka Zulu" won a Grammy in 1987, and they have been seen in Michael Jackson’s "Moonwalker" and Spike Lee’s "Do It A Cappella." Their many extraordinary appearances include a 7Up commercial and a performance at the Atlanta Summer Olympics.

The traditional music sung by Ladysmith Black Mambazo is called Isicathamiya, and was born in the mines of South Africa. Black workers were taken by rail to mines far away from their homes and families. Poorly housed and paid, they would entertain themselves after a six-day week by singing songs into the early hours of every Sunday morning, according to a spokesperson for the group.

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