In the fifth episode of Gallo Vault Sessions, we follow the ways South African music has proliferated across the international stage, and trace a few Gallo-affiliated artists as they and their music traversed the globe! We charter a flight with the music of Lucky Dube, Ray Phiri, Solomon Linda, and more…and explore both the highs and lows of what it means for South African music and artists to contend with international audiences and global success. We also tease out different moments of both cultural exploitation and cultural appreciation in this landscape as we begin to wrap up the first season of the Gallo Vault Sessions podcast. We consider Paul Simon’s Graceland, sync deals with Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and even learn about champeta sound system culture on the Caribbean coast of Colombia. 

We return to our conversations with Bra Lulu Masilela from The Boyoyo Boys & Mam Hilda Tloubatla, from The Mahotella Queens — both of whom we met in our previous episode, as well as former Gallo Managing Directors Antos Stella and Ivor Haarburger, and also meet two new voices, Edna Martinez, a DJ from Colombia, and the incredibly prolific composer, producer and performer, Don Laka!

Gallo Vault Sessions in collaboration with KONJO

You can listen to our specially KONJO curated mix by Edna Martinez here, which takes us through the Gallo releases that made it into the pico sound systems in Colombia, and follows them with their Colombian champeta versions here.

Talking points:

Mbube, Dixie Kwankwa, cultural appropriation, touring, The Mahotella Queens, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, central Australia, France, Juluka, Heinz Baked Beans, Malcolm McClaren, The Boyoyo Boys, champed, picos, Palenque de Basilio, aboriginal desert reggae, Solomon Linda, Cartegena, Lucky Dube, izicholo

Guests: Lulu Masilela, Antos Stella, Ivor Harburger, Don Laka, Edna Martinez, Mike Swaratle & Hilda Tloubatla

Narrator: Kineta Kunutu

Writer: Zara Julius @ KONJO

Producer: Zara Julius @ KONJO

Researcher: Zara Julius @ KONJO

Artwork: PR$DNT HONEY

Production support: The Good People 

Follow us on @gallorecordcompany & @k.o.n.j.o