Letta Mbulu

Letta Mbulu

5732 fans

Letta Mbulu is a South African jazz singer born in August 1947 in Soweto. She began her career as an adolescent in the 1950s, performing in the musical King Kong in South Africa and London alongside Miriam Makeba and Hugh Masekela. In 1965, Mbulu went into exile in the United States due to apartheid. In New York, she performed with Cannonball Adderley and Harry Belafonte before signing with Capitol Records. Mbulu released her debut studio album, Letta Mbulu Sings, in 1967 and followed with Free Soul in 1968. She contributed to the soundtracks for the productions Roots (1977) and The Color Purple (1985). Mbulu provided the Swahili introduction for the 1989 Michael Jackson single “Liberian Girl”. She returned to South Africa in 1991 with her husband, Caiphus Semenya. Her later recordings included Sweet Juju (1985) and Culani Nami (2007).  

  • Facebook page

Top tracks

06
Down By The River
Letta Mbulu
In The Music The Village Never Ends
05:08
Writer: Caiphus Semenya - D.M. Jackson - M. Anderson / Composers: Caiphus Semenya - D.M. Jackson - M. Anderson
05
U Se Mcani
Letta Mbulu
The Chisa Years 1965-1975 (Rare and Unreleased)
03:33
Composers: Letta Mbulu
09
Nomalizo
Letta Mbulu
The Best of
05:10
Writer: C. Semenya - L. Mbulu / Composers: C. Semenya - L. Mbulu
09
There's Music In The Air
Letta Mbulu
There's Music In The Air
06:57
Composers: Caiphus Semenya - Will Jennings
01
Sweet Juju
Letta Mbulu
In The Music The Village Never Ends
04:47
Writer: M. Anderson - Caiphus Semenya / Composers: M. Anderson - Caiphus Semenya
08
What's Wrong With Groovin'
Letta Mbulu
What's Wrong With Groovin
02:53
Writer: Maseleka / Composers: Maseleka
09
Melodi (Sounds of Home)
Letta Mbulu
The Chisa Years 1965-1975 (Rare and Unreleased)
04:25
Composers: Caiphus Semenya
07
Kilimanjaro
Letta Mbulu
Joey Negro presents It's A Summer Groove Vol.1
05:56
Writer: Caiphus Semenya - Letta Mbulu / Composers: Caiphus Semenya - Letta Mbulu
02
Mahlalela
Letta Mbulu
The Chisa Years 1965-1975 (Rare and Unreleased)
04:28
Composers: Caiphus Semenya
05
Ain't No Way To Treat A Lady
Letta Mbulu
There's Music In The Air
03:35
Composers: Harriet Schock
03
Unity
Letta Mbulu
Not Yet Uhuru
05:49
Writer: Caiphus Semenya / Composers: Caiphus Semenya
01
Music Man
Letta Mbulu
There's Music In The Air
03:40
Composers: Caiphus Semenya
03
Pula Yetla
Letta Mbulu
The Edge: David Axelrod At Capitol Records 1966-1970
03:36
Writer: Caiphus Semenya / Composers: Caiphus Semenya
05
Hareje
Letta Mbulu
Naturally
04:05
Composers: Caiphus Semenya
05
Vumani Makhosi
Letta Mbulu
In The Music The Village Never Ends
04:58
Writer: Letta Mbulu - Caiphus Semenya / Composers: Letta Mbulu - Caiphus Semenya
03
Let's Go Dancing / You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling (Medley)
Letta Mbulu
There's Music In The Air
07:13
Composers: Joan Armatrading - Phil Spector - Cynthia Weil - Barry Mann
09
Welele
Letta Mbulu
Free Soul
02:52
Composers: Caiphus Semenya
02
Kukuchi
Letta Mbulu
The Best Africa Album In The World...Ever!
03:02
Composers: Caiphus Semenya
03
Zola (Mra)
Letta Mbulu
Letta Mbulu Sings
02:03
Composers: Letta Mbulu - C. Ncokana
07
Olu Ati Ayo
Letta Mbulu
Free Soul
04:29
Composers: Adekonie Kester - Caiphus Semenya
09
Qhinebe
Letta Mbulu
Letta Mbulu Sings
03:00
Composers: Traditional
01
Aredze
Letta Mbulu
Letta Mbulu Sings
04:09
Composers: Caiphus Semenya
08
Magwalandini
Letta Mbulu
Letta Mbulu Sings
02:56
Composers: Letta Mbulu - Gibson Kente
06
Buza
Letta Mbulu & Caiphus Semenya
The Best Of Letta & Caiphus
03:35
Writer: Lamont Dozier - Letta Mbulu / Composers: Lamont Dozier - Letta Mbulu
07
Kilimanjaro (The Revenge Edit)
Letta Mbulu
Meat Me Down The Disco (Mixed by Horse Meat Disco)
05:51
Writer: Caiphus Semenya - Letta Mbulu / Composers: Caiphus Semenya - Letta Mbulu
05
Themba Lami
Letta Mbulu
Essential African Mzansi Greatest Jazzy Hit Sounds
05:56
Writer: Letta Mbulu - Caiphus Semenya / Composers: Letta Mbulu - Caiphus Semenya
04
Bhanoyi
Letta Mbulu
Letta Mbulu Sings
02:49
Composers: Almon Memela - Letta Mbulu
10
Sexwaxwa
Letta Mbulu
Letta Mbulu Sings
02:00
Composers: Caiphus Semenya
07
Wacha
Letta Mbulu
Letta Mbulu Sings
02:15
Composers: Caiphus Semenya
03
Noma Themba
Letta Mbulu
Naturally
03:26
Composers: Caiphus Semenya - Letta Mbulu
14
Macongo
Letta Mbulu
The Chisa Years 1965-1975 (Rare and Unreleased)
03:19
Composers: Hugh Masekela

Playlists

Similar artists

Don Laka
Don Laka
The Movers
The Movers
Mpharanyana
Mpharanyana
Vusi Mahlasela
Vusi Mahlasela
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Stimela
Stimela
  • Discography
Albums
The Essential
2017 South Africa - Sony Music Entertainment Africa (Pty) Ltd
12-05-2017
The Essential
01
Nomalizo
Letta Mbulu & Caiphus Semenya
The Essential
06:08
Writer: Caiphus Semenya - Letta Mbulu / Composers: Caiphus Semenya - Letta Mbulu
02
Hareje
Letta Mbulu & Caiphus Semenya
The Essential
04:57
Writer: Caiphus Semenya / Composers: Caiphus Semenya
03
Culani Nami
Letta Mbulu
The Essential
04:56
Writer: Caiphus Semenya / Composers: Caiphus Semenya
04
Not Yet Uhuru
Letta Mbulu
The Essential
05:20
Writer: L Mbulu - Caiphus Semenya / Composers: L Mbulu - Caiphus Semenya
05
Unity
Letta Mbulu
The Essential
05:49
Writer: Caiphus Semenya / Composers: Caiphus Semenya
06
Everybody Sing Along (Live)
Letta Mbulu & Caiphus Semenya
The Essential
02:43
Writer: Caiphus Semenya / Composers: Caiphus Semenya
07
Music Is A Rainbow
Letta Mbulu
The Essential
05:04
Writer: Caiphus Semenya / Composers: Caiphus Semenya
Access the complete album info (14 songs)
The Best of
(P) 2015 SME Africa (Pty) Ltd
29-01-2016
The Best of
01
I Need Your Love
Letta Mbulu
The Best of
02:43
Writer: Semenya - Drake / Composers: Semenya - Drake
02
Woman Got a Right to Be
Caiphus Semenya
The Best of
04:57
Writer: Caiphus Semenya - Letta Mbulu - Lebo Morake / Composers: Caiphus Semenya - Letta Mbulu - Lebo Morake
03
Ndiphendule
Letta Mbulu & Caiphus Semenya
The Best of
03:42
Writer: Caiphus Semenya / Composers: Caiphus Semenya
04
There's Music In The Air (Live)
Letta Mbulu & Caiphus Semenya
The Best of
06:45
Writer: Caiphus Semenya - William Jennings / Composers: Caiphus Semenya - William Jennings
05
Mdali Wethu
Caiphus Semenya
The Best of
07:27
Writer: Caiphus Semenya - Letta Mbulu / Composers: Caiphus Semenya - Letta Mbulu
06
Kube
Letta Mbulu
The Best of
03:01
Writer: C. Semenya / Composers: C. Semenya
07
Themba Lami
Letta Mbulu
The Best of
05:56
Writer: Letta Mbulu - Caiphus Semenya / Composers: Letta Mbulu - Caiphus Semenya
Access the complete album info (15 songs)
Culani Nami
(P) 2007 SBME Africa (Pty) Ltd
21-08-2007
Culani Nami
01
Culani Nami
Letta Mbulu
Culani Nami
04:56
Writer: Caiphus Semenya / Composers: Caiphus Semenya
02
Nobody Loves Me, Like You
Letta Mbulu
Culani Nami
04:33
Writer: Letta Mbulu / Composers: Letta Mbulu
03
Khuluma
Letta Mbulu
Culani Nami
04:54
Writer: Letta Mbulu - Caiphus Semenya / Composers: Letta Mbulu - Caiphus Semenya
04
Madulo
Letta Mbulu
Culani Nami
04:52
Writer: Caiphus Semenya - J. Mazamisa / Composers: Caiphus Semenya - J. Mazamisa
05
Themba Lami
Letta Mbulu
Culani Nami
05:56
Writer: Letta Mbulu - Caiphus Semenya / Composers: Letta Mbulu - Caiphus Semenya
06
Akekho
Letta Mbulu
Culani Nami
04:58
Writer: Letta Mbulu - Caiphus Semenya / Composers: Letta Mbulu - Caiphus Semenya
07
That's What Love Is For
Letta Mbulu
Culani Nami
04:44
Writer: Letta Mbulu - Caiphus Semenya - Don Mattera / Composers: Letta Mbulu - Caiphus Semenya - Don Mattera
Access the complete album info (10 songs)
Not Yet Uhuru
(P) 1996 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT Africa (Pty) Ltd
16-07-1996
Not Yet Uhuru
01
We Can Do It
Letta Mbulu
Not Yet Uhuru
04:47
Writer: Caiphus Semenya / Composers: Caiphus Semenya
02
Not Yet Uhuru
Letta Mbulu
Not Yet Uhuru
05:20
Writer: L Mbulu - Caiphus Semenya / Composers: L Mbulu - Caiphus Semenya
03
Unity
Letta Mbulu
Not Yet Uhuru
05:49
Writer: Caiphus Semenya / Composers: Caiphus Semenya
04
Home Brew
Letta Mbulu
Not Yet Uhuru
04:55
Writer: Caiphus Semenya / Composers: Caiphus Semenya
05
Kushukuti
Letta Mbulu
Not Yet Uhuru
04:40
Writer: Caiphus Semenya / Composers: Caiphus Semenya
06
Carry On
Letta Mbulu
Not Yet Uhuru
06:12
Writer: Amarfio - G. Turner / Composers: Amarfio - G. Turner
07
Isidwaba Singu Fakazi
Letta Mbulu
Not Yet Uhuru
04:01
Writer: Milton Mbhambho - Caiphus Semenya / Composers: Milton Mbhambho - Caiphus Semenya
Access the complete album info (8 songs)
In The Music The Village Never Ends
(P) 1996 Sony Music Entertainment South Africa
01-01-1983
In The Music The Village Never Ends
01
Sweet Juju
Letta Mbulu
In The Music The Village Never Ends
04:47
Writer: M. Anderson - Caiphus Semenya / Composers: M. Anderson - Caiphus Semenya
02
Nomalizo
Letta Mbulu
In The Music The Village Never Ends
05:11
Writer: Letta Mbulu - Caiphus Semenya / Composers: Letta Mbulu - Caiphus Semenya
03
Nkedama
Letta Mbulu
In The Music The Village Never Ends
04:44
Writer: Letta Mbulu - Caiphus Semenya / Composers: Letta Mbulu - Caiphus Semenya
04
Hamba Nam We
Letta Mbulu
In The Music The Village Never Ends
04:37
Writer: Letta Mbulu - Caiphus Semenya - S. Malinga / Composers: Letta Mbulu - Caiphus Semenya - S. Malinga
05
Vumani Makhosi
Letta Mbulu
In The Music The Village Never Ends
04:58
Writer: Letta Mbulu - Caiphus Semenya / Composers: Letta Mbulu - Caiphus Semenya
06
Down By The River
Letta Mbulu
In The Music The Village Never Ends
05:08
Writer: Caiphus Semenya - D.M. Jackson - M. Anderson / Composers: Caiphus Semenya - D.M. Jackson - M. Anderson
07
The Village
Letta Mbulu
In The Music The Village Never Ends
04:25
Writer: Letta Mbulu - M. Anderson - Caiphus Semenya / Composers: Letta Mbulu - M. Anderson - Caiphus Semenya
Sound Of A Rainbow
(P) 1996 Sony Music Entertainment South Africa
01-01-1980
Sound Of A Rainbow
01
Kilimanjaro Take Us Higher
Letta Mbulu
Sound Of A Rainbow
05:04
Writer: Letta Mbulu - Caiphus Semenya / Composers: Letta Mbulu - Caiphus Semenya
02
Help Me Somebody
Letta Mbulu & Caiphus Semenya
Sound Of A Rainbow
03:59
Writer: Caiphus Semenya - Letta Mbulu / Composers: Caiphus Semenya - Letta Mbulu
03
Everybody Sing Along (Album Version)
Letta Mbulu
Sound Of A Rainbow
05:49
Writer: Caiphus Semenya / Composers: Caiphus Semenya
04
Ndi-Phendule
Letta Mbulu & Caiphus Semenya
Sound Of A Rainbow
03:58
Writer: Letta Mbulu - Caiphus Semenya - Barnard / Composers: Letta Mbulu - Caiphus Semenya - Barnard
05
Love Beyond
Letta Mbulu
Sound Of A Rainbow
04:34
Writer: Letta Mbulu - Caiphus Semenya - P. Jones / Composers: Letta Mbulu - Caiphus Semenya - P. Jones
06
Don't Let Go Of Me
Letta Mbulu
Sound Of A Rainbow
03:51
Writer: Randy Edelman / Composers: Randy Edelman
07
Music Is A Rainbow
Letta Mbulu
Sound Of A Rainbow
05:01
Writer: Caiphus Semenya / Composers: Caiphus Semenya
Letta
℗ 1978 UMG Recordings, Inc.
01-01-1978
Letta
01
Open Your Heart
Letta Mbulu
Letta
03:59
Composers: Caiphus Semenya - Arthur Adams
02
Buza (There's A Light At The End Of A Tunnel)
Letta Mbulu
Letta
03:33
Composers: Lamont Dozier - Letta Mbulu
03
I Need You
Letta Mbulu
Letta
04:42
Composers: Caiphus Semenya - Letta Mbulu
04
Baile Baneso (By-Lay Bah-Neh-Su)
Letta Mbulu
Letta
04:28
Composers: Caiphus Semenya
05
I Can Depend On You
Letta Mbulu
Letta
03:30
Composers: Caiphus Semenya - Arthur Adams - Letta Mbulu
06
Hareje (Ha-Ree-Gee)
Letta Mbulu
Letta
04:28
Composers: Caiphus Semenya
07
Mamani
Letta Mbulu
Letta
07:56
Composers: Caiphus Semenya
There's Music In The Air
℗ 1976 UMG Recordings, Inc.
01-01-1976
There's Music In The Air
01
Music Man
Letta Mbulu
There's Music In The Air
03:40
Composers: Caiphus Semenya
02
Tristêza (Reunião De Tristêza)
Letta Mbulu
There's Music In The Air
03:56
Composers: Sivuca
03
Let's Go Dancing / You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling (Medley)
Letta Mbulu
There's Music In The Air
07:13
Composers: Joan Armatrading - Phil Spector - Cynthia Weil - Barry Mann
04
Sacred Drum
Letta Mbulu
There's Music In The Air
03:38
Composers: Caiphus Semenya
05
Ain't No Way To Treat A Lady
Letta Mbulu
There's Music In The Air
03:35
Composers: Harriet Schock
06
Maru A Pula (Clouds Of Rain)
Letta Mbulu
There's Music In The Air
03:46
Composers: Caiphus Semenya
07
Feelings
Letta Mbulu
There's Music In The Air
02:39
Composers: Morris Albert
Access the complete album info (9 songs)
Naturally
℗ 1973 Fantasy Records, a division of Concord Music Group, Inc.
01-01-1973
Naturally
01
Afro Texas
Letta Mbulu
Naturally
03:32
Composers: Caiphus Semenya - Wayne Henderson
02
Learn To Love
Letta Mbulu
Naturally
03:33
Composers: Caiphus Semenya - Letta Mbulu - Wayne Henderson
03
Noma Themba
Letta Mbulu
Naturally
03:26
Composers: Caiphus Semenya - Letta Mbulu
04
Kube
Letta Mbulu
Naturally
03:18
Composers: Caiphus Semenya
05
Hareje
Letta Mbulu
Naturally
04:05
Composers: Caiphus Semenya
06
Never Leave You
Letta Mbulu
Naturally
04:06
Composers: Caiphus Semenya
07
Now We May Begin
Letta Mbulu
Naturally
03:34
Composers: Joe Sample
Access the complete album info (10 songs)
Free Soul
℗ 1968 Capitol Records, LLC
01-01-1968
Free Soul
01
Gumba Gumba
Letta Mbulu
Free Soul
02:11
Composers: Caiphus Semenya
02
Kukuchi
Letta Mbulu
Free Soul
02:57
Composers: Caiphus Semenya
03
What More Could Be Right
Letta Mbulu
Free Soul
04:13
Composers: Gail Fisher - Caiphus Semenya
04
West Wind
Letta Mbulu
Free Soul
02:52
Composers: Caiphus Semenya - William Salter
05
Mamani
Letta Mbulu
Free Soul
03:48
Composers: Caiphus Semenya
06
Ade
Letta Mbulu
Free Soul
02:52
Composers: Caiphus Semenya
07
Olu Ati Ayo
Letta Mbulu
Free Soul
04:29
Composers: Adekonie Kester - Caiphus Semenya
Access the complete album info (9 songs)
Letta Mbulu Sings
℗ 1967 Capitol Records, LLC
01-01-1967
Letta Mbulu Sings
01
Aredze
Letta Mbulu
Letta Mbulu Sings
04:09
Composers: Caiphus Semenya
02
Pula Yetla
Letta Mbulu
Letta Mbulu Sings
03:38
Composers: Caiphus Semenya
03
Zola (Mra)
Letta Mbulu
Letta Mbulu Sings
02:03
Composers: Letta Mbulu - C. Ncokana
04
Bhanoyi
Letta Mbulu
Letta Mbulu Sings
02:49
Composers: Almon Memela - Letta Mbulu
05
Thokoza
Letta Mbulu
Letta Mbulu Sings
02:21
Composers: Caiphus Semenya
06
My Son
Letta Mbulu
Letta Mbulu Sings
04:35
Composers: J. Du Bois - Caiphus Semenya
07
Wacha
Letta Mbulu
Letta Mbulu Sings
02:15
Composers: Caiphus Semenya
Access the complete album info (11 songs)
Singles
Nomali
℗ 2024 Universal Music (Pty) Ltd South Africa
15-11-2024
Nomali
01
Akekho
Letta Mbulu
Nomali
04:22
Composers: Letta Mbulu
02
Sinamanga (uMagebhula)
Letta Mbulu
Nomali
04:05
Composers: Letta Mbulu
03
Baby Girl
Letta Mbulu
Nomali
03:49
Composers: Letta Mbulu
04
Nobody Loves Me
Letta Mbulu
Nomali
04:36
Composers: Letta Mbulu
05
Friends Are For
Letta Mbulu
Nomali
04:10
Composers: Letta Mbulu
06
Selimathunzi
Letta Mbulu
Nomali
03:57
Composers: Letta Mbulu
Sinamanga (uMagebhula)
℗ 2024 Universal Music (Pty) Ltd South Africa
25-10-2024
Sinamanga (uMagebhula)
01
Sinamanga (uMagebhula)
Letta Mbulu
Sinamanga (uMagebhula)
04:05
Composers: Letta Mbulu
Featured in
The Complete Motown Singles Vol. 11A: 1971
This Compilation ℗ 2008 Motown Records, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
01-01-2008
The Complete Motown Singles Vol. 11A: 1971
01
Mama's Pearl
Jackson 5
The Complete Motown Singles Vol. 11A: 1971
03:12
Writer: Freddie Perren - Berry Gordy Jr. - Alphonso Mizell - Dennis Lussier / Composers: Freddie Perren - Berry Gordy Jr. - Alphonso Mizell - Dennis Lussier
02
Darling Dear
Jackson 5
The Complete Motown Singles Vol. 11A: 1971
02:36
Writer: George Gordy - Rosemary Gordy - Allen Story / Composers: George Gordy - Rosemary Gordy - Allen Story
03
Let's All Save The Children
Joe Hinton
The Complete Motown Singles Vol. 11A: 1971
03:46
Writer: Ronald Miller / Composers: Ronald Miller
04
You Are Blue
Joe Hinton
The Complete Motown Singles Vol. 11A: 1971
02:32
Writer: Henry Cosby - Sylvia Moy - Joe Hinton / Composers: Henry Cosby - Sylvia Moy - Joe Hinton
05
Sweet Water
Brass Monkey
The Complete Motown Singles Vol. 11A: 1971
02:52
Writer: Doug Flett - Guy Fletcher / Composers: Doug Flett - Guy Fletcher
06
You Keep Me Hangin' On
Brass Monkey
The Complete Motown Singles Vol. 11A: 1971
03:47
Writer: Brian Holland - Lamont Dozier - Eddie Holland / Composers: Brian Holland - Lamont Dozier - Eddie Holland
07
Pet Names
Chuck Jackson
The Complete Motown Singles Vol. 11A: 1971
02:52
Writer: William Robinson, Jr. / Composers: William Robinson, Jr.
Access the complete album info (119 songs)
Harry Belafonte...Live!
(P) 1972 Sony Music Entertainment
01-08-1972
Harry Belafonte...Live!
01
Medley: Look Over Yonder/ Be My Woman, Gal (Live)
Harry Belafonte
Harry Belafonte...Live!
06:16
Writer: Harry Belafonte - Gellert - Howard Roberts / Composers: Harry Belafonte - Gellert - Howard Roberts
02
Mr. Bojangles (Live)
Harry Belafonte
Harry Belafonte...Live!
05:16
Writer: Walker / Composers: Walker
03
Suzanne (Live)
Harry Belafonte
Harry Belafonte...Live!
05:11
Writer: Cohen / Composers: Cohen
04
Pastures of Plenty (Live)
Harry Belafonte
Harry Belafonte...Live!
04:47
Writer: Woody Guthrie / Composers: Woody Guthrie
05
Wedding Song (Live)
Harry Belafonte
Harry Belafonte...Live!
04:32
06
Mahlalela (Lazy Bones)
Letta Mbulu
Harry Belafonte...Live!
04:30
Writer: K. Caiphus Séménya / Composers: K. Caiphus Séménya
07
Nonqonqo (To Those We Love)
Letta Mbulu
Harry Belafonte...Live!
03:00
Writer: Miriam Makeba / Composers: Miriam Makeba
Access the complete album info (15 songs)