DUBE MUSIC - About DUBE - south african music

Welcome to the world of

and to the magical sounds of South Africa

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DUBE is something very special. Whoever listens to their music will feel happier, and whoever sees them playing or dancing cannot help but feel on top of the world. This is not only because you will want to snap your fingers or groove to the music from the very first beat, but also because DUBE stands for much more.

DUBE´s music is moving and enriching. The South African sounds and singing, fronted by Dumisani_Mabaso, will captivate you. He formed the band in 1988, together with his wife, Bethina. Dumisani Mabaso comes from South Africa - more precisely, from Dube, which is a district of Soweto (South-Western-Township - south-west of Johannesburg). This is one of the main origins of the name.

However, there is even more to the name. DUBE´s colours are black and white and that leads us to the second reason for this name. Dube is also an isiZulu word which means "zebra". And the zebra, which is also DUBE´s symbol stands for a world in which all humans, no matter what colour or religion, live together in peace and harmony. This is also reflected in DUBE´s music.

But there's one thing missing… after they came up with the name of the band, Dumisani and Bethina realised that the name can be formed from the first two letters of their first names. That is DUBE!

Together with their son Thando and the composers and guitarists Hinrich Dageför and Simon Murumahoko , Bethina and Dumisani have performed on stage around the world. They exhilarate their audiences with traditional and township music, incorporating modern sounds as well.

The spiritual and musical links to Dumisani Mabasos roots can be heard - and above all felt - in their diverse repertoire.

DUBE`s lyrics are, among others, in isiZulu, isiSotho, isiXhosa, isiShangani and in English. And when they are accompanied by instruments such as drums, Mbira/Kalimba, Marimba and Ithanga, the unmistakeable sound of this rainbow nation is created. Mbaqanga, the traditional sound which originated in the townships, is also part of their act.

But that's not all!DUBE also performs something very special - the

The mineworkers created this dance, which they performed in their leisure time. Nowadays it is danced by young people and women of all ages because it is pure fun. At the same time, the Gumboot Dance is good for your health and even a perfect mental exercise. The Gumboot Dance represents the happiness in working together in rhythm and mutual understanding. It is not very different to drums, except that the rhythms are made by clapping, stomping and slapping the gumboots. Voices are added in the form of singing and shouting. All together this makes the Gumboot Dance dynamic and unique.

Gumboot Dance sample audio clip

Dumisani and Thando Mabaso have complete command of this wonderful dance and pass their knowledge on to others in workshops and seminars.

Dumisani now lives in Hamburg, north Germany. (audio_clip: Hamburg_NDR_90,3). "You can make great music in this wonderful, multi-faceted city. The audiences here are very open and responsive. Every performance is great fun," says Bethina.

Another highlight was their performance at the consumer exhibition "Du und Deine Welt" (You and Your World). On September 6, 2001, DUBE got the crowd going with songs from the very successful musical, The Lion King. What could be more appropriate?

Enjoy the music from DUBE

Who is

and what they are doing?

Dumisani Mabaso grew up in Dube, Soweto/Johannesburg. He left South Africa aged 24 after the student uprising in 1976 and made his way to London.

As a musician in exile, he became the founder of the band "Sounds of Soweto" and was very successful with this band in Africa, the US and Europe.

In 1981 Dumisani Mabaso played the title role in the movie "Lisa und Tshepo" by Erika Runge.

Dumisani has three sons, Sikhumbuzo, Jabu and Thando. He now lives in Hamburg with his wife, Bethina. He has done a number of solo performances and leads seminars and workshops such as the famous Gumboot Dance. He teaches in schools and kindergartens and is a lecturer at Musica Altona, which is without doubt a great institution for bringing kids and teenagers from all backgrounds closer to music.

For Bethina Walbaum music has always been a major part of her life. She started writing lyrics at an early age and later on began composing. Now, for more than 20 years, Bethina and Dumisani have been making music together.

How they got together is really quite romantic. Bethina and Dumisani first met during the famous musical "Sounds of Soweto" - which gets under your skin not only musically - where Bethina took care of the lighting.

There she could immerse herself in the magical voices and harmonies of South Africa. She first fell in love with - and subsequently learned to play - traditional African instruments and drums. And singing - this she could already do!

In 1997, Bethina formed the all-female band "Shemotion" (sample). She is also a founding member of Musica Altona, where she has served on the Board since its inception.

Thando Mabaso Walbaum is DUBE´s youngest son. Since the age of three, he has been playing percussion and drums. In 1995, he formed the drums and percussion band, The Drum Kids, which has won a number of prizes in recent years. Amongst others, they were the best kids band in 2002 and in 2004 at the "Altonale Spaßparade" and they took part in the sequel "Trommelwirbel" of the well-known series "Die Pfefferkörner".

He has a number of creative hobbies, but over time Thando discovered a passion for acting and went to the drama school TASK. Since then Thando has been in a number of productions, including:

Kino: Emil und die Detektive
Fernsehen/Film: `Neger, Neger, Schornsteinfeger´, Unsere Mutter ist halt anders
Serie: Die Pfefferkörner, Großstadtrevier

In 2005 Thando was acting together with Veronica Ferres in the TV film (on "ZDF", october 2006) `Neger, Neger Schornsteinfeger´, a bestseller autobiographie written by Hans-Jürgen Massaquoi; directed by Jörg Grünler. (More: Press-cuttings)

Simon Murumahoko has been with DUBE since 1997. They met at a joint performance at the South African Embassy in The Hague on the occasion of South Africa's Freedom Day.

Simon comes from Zimbabwe, and lives with his family in Amsterdam, where he plays in his own band, Tribal Countdown.

Hinrich Dageför is an expert on and a great interpreter of South African music. He has been connected with Bethina and Dumisani for over 20 years and has played with DUBE since the beginning.

In the 90's he was a guitarist in the soul band "RAD" and a founding member of "Band M´Blu et moi" and was involved in the project "SWOP". For a couple of years he has been working together with Frank and Stefan Wulff as a film music composer in their own Ougenweide O`ton Studio. They were nominated for the "Deutsche Fernsehpreis" (German TV Award) for their music for the Lars Becker film "Rette deine Haut" (Save Your Skin).

Since March 2005 he has been on tour with the Sicilian singer Etta Scollo, playing in "Canta Ro" as a multi-instrumentalist.

Jabu Mabaso is the second oldest son of DUBE. Jabu is without doubt a genius on the drums and on the Mbira, a talented singer and a highly-gifted dancer. He not only has complete command of traditional dances, which he also teaches, but also of the modern styles and even the Gumboot Dance.

In den Jahren 2003 und 2004 tourte er mit DUBE.

In 2003 and 2004 he toured Germany with DUBE. Now he lives together with his family in Soweto and plays there in his own band "amatsheketshe osiko".

Sikhumbuzo Mabaso , is the oldest son of DUBE. His family lives in Soweto / Johannesburg. Sikhumbuzo the graffiti artist. One of his works is in DUBE's rehersal room.

On the following pages you will find more news, information and photos. Maybe there's a gig planned in your area, or you can contact DUBE directly if you're a concert promoter. And remember - you're guaranteed an absolute treat - you just can't get enough of their fantastic show and amazing array of instruments.

DUBE thanks you for your visit.