Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s Raise Your Spirit Higher, a recording from Cleveland-based Heads International, has won the Grammy Award for Best Traditional World Music Album. Heads Up, currently celebrating its fifteenth anniversary as one of the world’s most premier crossover jazz and world music labels, garnered its first Grammy win this year from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. The 47th Annual Grammy Awards Ceremony was held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA, on February 13, 2005.

For over thirty years, Ladysmith Black Mambazo have married the intricate rhythms and harmonies of their native South African musical traditions to the sounds of Christian gospel music. First introduced to a worldwide audience via their guest appearance on Paul Simon’s Graceland album, Ladysmith Black Mambazo continue riding a wave of popularity generated by Raise Your Spirit Higher. Against a backdrop of political upheaval and personal tragedy, the group’s first studio recording in over five years held the #1 spot on Billboard’s World Music chart for several months. Ladysmith Black Mambazo are currently on tour in the United States promoting their latest release, No Boundaries (HUCD 3092).

“We are so grateful and proud to have been awarded the Grammy Award this year. It’s a humbling moment,” says Joseph Shabalala, founder and leader of the world-renowned Zulu singing group. “The members of Ladysmith Black Mambazo and I accept this award, not just as recognition for our songs, but for our culture, our people and our country. South Africa, our home, continues its evolution as a wondrous place filled with a rich heritage.”

“We are honored that the Academy has recognized Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and we are hopeful this Grammy shines a bright spotlight on the music and people of South Africa,” says Heads Up President Dave Love. “Coinciding with the ten-year anniversary of the demise of apartheid makes it that much more special.”

South African President Thabo Mbeki said, “The Grammy Award that has been so spectacularly won by Ladysmith Black Mambazo makes us all proud to be South Africans. The people and government of South Africa salute this remarkable group on their achievement and wish them continuing success in the future.”

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