Strike Vilakazi

Strike David Vilakazi (also written Vilakezi)^[1]^[2] was a South African vocalist, drummer, trumpeter, composer, and music producer.^[3] He was known for composing the anti-apartheid song "Meadowlands", and for his career as a producer, during which he was influential in the development of mbaqanga.^[3]^[4]

"Meadowlands"

The settlement of

tsotsitaal, or street slang.^[4] Superficially upbeat, the song was misinterpreted as being supportive of the move by the South African government; as a result, Vilakezi was congratulated for it by a government bureaucrat, and according to some sources, had an application for housing expedited.^[4] Originally performed by Nancy Jacobs and Her Sisters, as with many other protest songs of this period, "Meadowlands" was made popular both within and outside South Africa by Miriam Makeba,^[5] and it became an anthem of the movement against apartheid.^[1]

Production career

When he wrote "Meadowlands", Vilakezi was a "talent scout" for the music production company "Troubadour".

pennywhistle, and would later persuade Mashiyane that the same music would sound better on a saxophone. The music that resulted has been described as the earliest style of mbaqanga, a genre that would remain popular among black South Africans for many years.^[3]

Appropriation

In 1974 Bertha Egnos produced the play Ipi Tombi. Vilakezi charged that she had appropriated some of his recorded music in the play's hit song "Mama Thembu's Wedding". Vilakezi's allegation was supported by an investigation by SAMRO. However, he was unable to obtain redress in court.^[2] Commentators have referred to this episode as an example of the widespread appropriation of black South African music (both traditional and contemporary, recorded music) by white artists, who then profited from them.^[2]