The Mahotella Queens originated in 1964 as the brainchild and creation of Rupert Bopape, a music producer and talent scout at the Mavuthela Music Company, the Gallo Record Company’s division dedicated to “black” music at the time. The Queens were the record company’s resident girl group, and were often led by the deep, basso profundo male vocals of Mahlatini and backed by the Makgona Tsohle Band, which included West Nkosi on alto saxophone and Marks Mankwane on lead guitar. This dynamic instrumental and vocal combination went on to chalk up several hit records during the 1960s. In the 1970s, the Queens experienced a rocky patch due to contractual disputes, but remained active and productive, albeit with a fluid line-up. Their international breakthrough came in 1987, in the wake of the success of Paul Simon’s seminal Graceland album. Interest in “world” music exploded and the international community sat up and started taking serious notice of South African indigenous sounds. The Queens regrouped with three of the outfit’s original members – Hilda Tloubatla, Nobesuthu Mbadu and Mildred Mangxola – and, as Mahlatini and the Mahotella Queens, they took South Africa and the world by storm with their mbaqanga-laced musical stylings and stirring harmonies. They became renowned as South Africa’s first mbaqanga “supergroup”.