There is a strong female presence in Mzansi’s reggae scene and because this business remains largely male-dominated, the active involvement of women in key-roles within it is a definite sign of progress.
Heaven and Revival Cele are members of ‘Undivided Roots’ – a roots reggae youth band – and when performing together, they provide the foundation upon which all other elements in reggae music are laid; the Drum and Bass. It seems easiest for people to remember this band’s 10 year old lead guitarist (Judgment) who seems to cast a spell that draws crowds closer to the stage each time he plucks a string during a solo performance. But these solos would not be as powerful if they were not accompanied by a solid, consistent rhythm provided by the band’s bass guitarist and drummer.
Heaven and Revival Cele have inherited their father’s love for music and dedicated their time to the mastery of their respective instruments since 2006. Like most masters, Heaven (drummer) and Revival (bass guitarist) seem to be motivated mostly by the learning process and skills acquisition involved in performances and they list the ‘long and hard’ practices with their now-deceased father among their career highlights. These young women also hope to setup a music school as their careers progress, in order to pass their love for music down to future generations.
Undivided roots’ is a family band that was started by Roots Ntsangu Cele, a musician who busked in the streets of Pietermaritzburg. The band’s initial members were his oldest children; Wadada and Greenfields (who were 11 and 9 at the time). The choice of the name ‘Undivided Roots’ was influenced by the troubles he had faced in trying to raise his children and his refusal to let these cause disunity and disharmony in his family. The band consists of 6 members, all of whom are full-time musicians between the ages of 10-27 and has performed at many festivals including the Bob Marley Earthday Celebration at uShaka Marine World.
It is the desire of most musicians to parent children who will take up a similar interest as they grow and thus we can safely assume that the rhythm section sisters and the entire band would definitely be a source of pride for their father. Considering their youthfulness and the key-roles they play in a band that seems destined for success, it can be expected that they will also be a source of great pride for many women and make their mark in the history of Mzansi reggae.
Catch them live on the 30th Aug at the Eston Show. Click here for event details.
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