ELIAS BALOYI Profile
Born in 1940 at Wayeni village under chief Bungeni. His parents passed away while he was very young and as a result he never attended any schooling,because of poverty. He left Wayeni village to Elim village (Shirley)where he was looking after Mr Philips’s calves. Mr.Philips use to take care for poor children’s and orphans.From his childhood in the early 50’s I was interested playing music like traditional Flute and finally he played European Flute. During those years music was recorded on plastic plates
called singles or 45 were played on gramophones.
In the year 1956 he went to Johannesburg where he met several artists like Boy Masaka and Spokes Maxiyani who were playing Flute. Because of their influences he bought himself a Flute at the price of R0,15, it was very cheap by then. Sometimes when he was back home, local schoolhouse would ask him to perform for their learners playing Flute for them and they enjoyed it.While he was in Johannesburg he use to go to Alexandra Township. At Alexandra Township,Galo Record Company use to have promotions on weekends at the Bus rank(15 Avenue). At Alexandra he had no accommodation, and was sleeping in the old cars called scraps.
In the late sixties, he recorded his first song called Takalani. He worked with David Tekwana and others at Dockey house where they use to practice their music. He was playing the saxophone for David Tekwana, but unfortunately he was never credited on the songs. He then joined Gallo record company being recruited by Albert Ramiimo who was also playing saxophone. At Gallo record company he met the likes of West Nkosi, Max Magwana,Ray Phiri,Jabu Sbumbe,Paul Ndlovu and Mpharanyana as backing vocalist for some of the above artists.
In the year 1970 he came back home in Limpopo.One morning when listening to the radio and they played two Xitsonga traditional songs composed by M.D Shirinda and Mr Samson Mthombeni.The songs influenced him to love Xitsonga traditional music and then he started composing Xitsonga sounds as we know him today. "From there I recorded songs like Tiko ra ka gaza ri hluvukile, mintirho ya vatsonga,nhwanyana luya u tshike na xikolo aya tshama matemdeni". The band was known as Elias Baloyi and the Souls Redeemers. He was assisted by Bra Silo but he never received any cent for all he has done.
In 1979 he started a new band called Elias Baloyi and the Mamba Queens.He recorded several songs under that name. The Band recorded songs like,Pfunani va vutomi,khomani lama makhamba mi pfalela,ni vone ku hleka ni ku xaka ra mina.From there the band changed its name. It was then known as Elias Baloyi and the Mamba Queens Pantsula no.1. "The Pantsula series started there,we then recorded Pantsula no.2 and 3, with songs like vhilwa ra movha, a xitimeleni xaku ya e kaya and many more. This was followed by Pantsula no.4,5,6 and 7.There were songs like maxumbadzi na mufuwethu. He went on recording Pantsula no.8(xiseveseve) which became a hit in 1993.The title track was known as va ni hlongola.He went ahead recording Pantsula No9-15 with hit songs like, Sesi mithavini which was popular and loved by fans. A ka Mtititi ku lo cho Wee!,was also well known and it was a good album.
The late Peter Hlungwani was his bass guitar man from Pantsula No.5.And before him it was Mr Banda. He helped the following artists to produce and release their albums during 1989 to 1994:
Peter Hlungwani,Simoni Ngobeni,the late Majanguza,Swilombe swa Vahlengwe,G.E Baloyi,Rito ra Nsuku, Jeromu nhlalala brothers,Lucy Shivambu and many more.
From there he recorded No.16-18 Juluka and Yobo.He then produced hi first DVD (recorded by DJ Brian of Bharule Communications).This DVD was voted no.1,In Munghana Lonene fm Xitsonga Music Awards in 2006. The song (Sala was voted the song of the year in 2005 in the same Music Awards) .In 2007 He received a life time Achievement Award. He then recorded No.19 Manana wa Nkoka, No.20 Yobo, and now there is number 22 called Munhnu.Presently he is helping the following music groups: Hlayisani Ndhavuko and Manana Agnes Baloyi. He is now residing at Magoro/Tiyani in Limpopo,RSA.
21 авг 2024
