Queen's timeless hit, 'Bohemian Rhapsody', receives a fresh rendition in Zulu language
The Ndlovu Youth Choir, a choir from South Africa's rural Limpopo province, has made history by releasing a Zulu-language version of Queen's iconic rock anthem, Bohemian Rhapsody. This groundbreaking release marks the first time Queen has ever authorized a translation of the song.
The idea for the African version of Bohemian Rhapsody was born while the choir was working in Tanzania. The translation process, which took years to complete, was a challenging one due to the length of Zulu words and the need to maintain the original message. Sandile Majola, a member of the Ndlovu Youth Choir, painstakingly translated the lyrics into Zulu.
The Zulu version of Bohemian Rhapsody incorporates African musical traditions, including township styles such as isicathamiya and the Congolese swing of kwassa kwassa. The expanded call-and-response sections in the Zulu version are rooted in African performance styles.
Lungelo Masango, the lead singer of the Ndlovu Youth Choir, had never heard of Queen or Bohemian Rhapsody before taking on this project. For him, and for many others in the choir, the translation project carried deep meaning as it brought the song to life in their own language.
Ralf Schmitt, the artistic director of the Ndlovu Youth Choir, obtained the band's surviving members and the Mercury Phoenix Trust's blessing for the project. The music video for the Zulu-language version of Bohemian Rhapsody features the choir in vibrant traditional dress, celebrating a uniquely African take on one of rock's most iconic songs.
Some surreal lyrics, like "Galileo, Galileo!", remain in English in the Zulu version, adding a touch of the original's mystique. The choir hopes to have done justice to the piece with their translation.
Freddie Mercury, the lead singer of Queen, was born in Zanzibar. The release of the Zulu-language Bohemian Rhapsody coincides with the 50th anniversary of the original song. The Ndlovu Youth Choir gained international fame on America's Got Talent in 2019, further cementing their place in the global music scene.
The music video for the Zulu-language version of Bohemian Rhapsody is now available on YouTube for all to enjoy.
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