Jabu Khanyile, born on February 28, 1957, in Soweto, South Africa, was a South African Afro-pop and Afro-soul musician. After his mother's death at age 14, he joined the local band The Daffodils, followed by The Editions as a drummer and vocalist, and The Movers. In 1984, he joined Bayete, a group blending Afro-jazz and reggae, as a drummer and lead vocalist. Following their disbandment in 1992, he started a solo career with releases credited to Jabu Khanyile & Bayete. His discography includes the albums Mmalo-We (1993), Africa Unite (1996), Umkhaya-Lo (1996), The Prince (1999), Thobekile (2000), Umbele (2001), Wankolota (2003), and Hiyo Lento (2005). He collaborated with Youssou N’Dour, Angélique Kidjo, and Papa Wemba. He received the KORA All Africa Music Award for Best Group (Southern Africa) in 1996 with Bayete, and as Best Artist (Southern Africa) in 2000. He passed away on November 12, 2006, from diabetes and prostate cancer.
