Afropop Worldwide

Lancelot Mapfumo, brother and long-time percussionist for Thomas Mapfumo and his band The Blacks Unlimited, has died after a long illness. He had lived in Oregon for some 20 years, since the band went into self-exile. He died there in the company of family and friends on September 17.

Lancelot was a pillar of this legendary band, playing hosho and ngoma percussion on conga drums. His deeply focused vibe, sly smile and sharp conversational rhythms coming from deep Shona tradition, were a joy to behold. He will be sorely missed by all fans of this extraordinary music.